About Veritus

Veritus Group is committed to transforming non-profit mid, major and planned gift programs to deliver measurable impact to both the donor and to the clients we serve.

Giving transforms donors

We love helping your donors find true joy in their giving. We know your donors want to give, but many donors are just giving transactional gifts. We guide and coach you to help your donors make TRANSFORMATIONAL gifts!

Your work makes a vital difference

We love the work you do. And we think it’s one of the most important jobs in the world, helping people give away their money to make a difference in our world. Our job is to make you more successful in the work you do with donors.

Let us inspire you

You will find that we are: serious yet quirky, disciplined but fun, consistent yet innovative, driven yet compassionate. If you decide to work with us, you will find our passion catches fire and inspires everything we do. We love your mission and the good work you are doing. You have a tough job and we want to make it easier.

Our Vision

That every mid, major and planned gift donor to every cause will experience the most possible joy, satisfaction and fulfillment as they express their passions, interests and care for humankind and our planet through their giving.

Our Mission

To provide relationally and analytically based mid, major and planned gift donor management strategies and services to non-profits worldwide that results in higher donor retention and giving.

Our Objective

We help your donors fulfill their passion and interests. We work tirelessly to help you treat donors as real partners instead of sources of cash and align your organization’s goals with theirs. The result is increased loyalty, higher levels of giving and a lot of joy and happiness.

The Veritus Approach

We analyze donor behavior, find the donors who really want a relationship with you, then create revenue goals and a plan. Then we hold your team accountable to manage the plan and help you stay focused on the right things!

The Veritus Difference

We’re creative and forward-thinking. We’re incredibly disciplined. Our tools help us find the donors who really want a relationship with you… all with the intent of creating deeper relationships with your donors.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Veritus Group, we believe that to solve the world’s greatest needs, the non-profit sector must strive to create an environment that empowers, elevates, and uplifts diverse voices. To achieve this goal, we must create a culture that is grounded in support for all staff members, a connection and respect for the community, and a space where innovation can thrive. We believe that to audaciously re-imagine how we create life-changing, community-driven solutions, non-profits must be open to, inclusive of, and representative of our differences, including, but not limited to, all ages, ability identities, genders, gender identities, races, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and perspectives. We know our industry has a lot of work to do, ourselves included, which requires us all to keep each other accountable to celebrating diverse voices and perspectives, ridding ourselves of systems that continue cycles of inequality, and creating more inclusive organizations, and we are committed to continuing this journey.

Our People

Kara Ansotegui

Kara Ansotegui

Director of Client Services

Kara has over 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership serving in fundraising and marketing executive roles. She has been responsible for strategic program development in major gifts, midlevel, and donor relations and has served as the CRM data management SME for numerous nonprofits. She has an undergraduate in Business Administration from Oregon State University and holds an MBA in Marketing from Georgia State University.

Kara Ansotegui

Director of Client Services

Christine Austin

Christine Austin

Administrative Coordinator

BIO

Christine Austin

Administrative Coordinator

Monika Pandya Burchfield

Monika Pandya Burchfield

Client Experience Leader

Monika has 20+ years of experience in non profit fundraising and IT consulting. She has been responsible for fund-raising, events, communications, volunteer and CRM operations. She has degrees in Industrial Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Monika lives in a farmhouse in the country.

Monika Pandya Burchfield

Client Experience Leader

Amy Chapman

Amy Chapman

Director of Client Engagement

For over 25 years, Amy has engaged in sales, client development and management for large multinational corporations as well as founding and growing several successful start ups. Her passion is fostering relationships, brand building and brand loyalty with an emphasis on client satisfaction, creativity, and collaboration.

Amy Chapman

Director of Client Engagement

Edie Dahlen

Edie Dahlen

Client Experience Leader

Edie has 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector providing organizational leadership and building dynamic and sustainable development for mid and major donor programs – all while building a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. Edie combines both the head and heart – extensive knowledge infused with energy and passion – to help non-profit organizations make a huge difference in the world.

Edie Dahlen

Client Experience Leader

Debi Dunham

Debi Dunham

Client Experience Leader

With over 31 years of experience and expertise in the major donor fundraising arena Debi is well equipped to assist with strategies and techniques that will develop solid and fruitful major gift programs. Debi began her career as a Major Donor Officer and event planner. She then transitioned into a management position for a major non-profit where her responsibilities included the management of a team of 8 major gift officers and fundraising, cultivation and prospecting of major donors across the country, raising $25 million during her tenure.

Debi Dunham

Client Experience Leader

Diana Frazier

Diana Frazier

Senior Client Experience Leader

With 32 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Diana has helped organizations meet strategic objectives through fund and product development, marketing, and operations management. She has worked on staff or as a consultant in a wide range of non-profits including print and media organizations, missions, higher education, health, crisis counseling, and churches.

Diana Frazier

Senior Client Experience Leader

Matt Gill

Matt Gill

Client Experience Leader

Matt Gill has over two decades of leadership, fundraising, and storytelling experience. He has served in major gifts and fundraising leadership roles for several large human services nonprofits, and as a board member, volunteer, and co-founder with a number of smaller organizations.  He spent more than 11 years on active duty with the Navy in special operations and public affairs, and continues to serve as a public affairs officer in the Navy Reserves, where he holds the rank of Commander.  Matt is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, the Naval War College, and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Matt Gill

Client Experience Leader

Macee Hartt

Macee Hartt

Data Assistant

Macee was born and raised in Weatherford, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She currently lives in College Station, Texas with her fiance, friends and her Australian Shepherd, Gus. Macee has been working for the local pregnancy center as the Development Director for over a year.

Macee Hartt

Data Assistant

Rebecca Huron

Rebecca Huron

Director of Content, Marketing & Learning

Rebecca has spent her career focusing on developing and managing comprehensive marketing and fundraising programs. She has experience in direct response, mid-level, and major gifts fundraising, and has worked on both the agency-side and nonprofit-side of these programs. Rebecca has a passion for helping nonprofits, and the fundraisers who work at them, create the greatest impact possible in service of their mission.

Rebecca Huron

Director of Content, Marketing & Learning

Zack Jones

Zack Jones

Director of Finance

Zack was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. He earned degrees in Economics and Management from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from the Aix-Marseille University located in Aix-en-Provence, France. Zack has worked in accounting and finance for nearly 15 years. He is a licensed CPA living in Asheville, NC with his wife and two young children.

Zack Jones

Director of Finance

Karen Kendrick

Karen Kendrick

Senior Director of Learning

Karen Kendrick has a masters degree in education and counseling and over 28 years’ experience in nonprofit fundraising in both the university/education market and social service agencies. She has served as program director and executive director for a nonprofit, giving her both programmatic and administrative experience. She has created strong comprehensive fundraising programs from the ground up and served as a Director of Development and major gift officer.

Karen Kendrick

Senior Director of Learning

Matt Korn

Matt Korn

Client Experience Leader

Matt has served in a variety of nonprofit leadership positions during his 20+year career. Having built and implemented fundraising and stewardship strategies for domestic and international organizations, Matt has supported donors at all levels throughout their philanthropic journey. Matt holds a Master’s degree in International Development from Ohio University, and has traveled the world creating opportunities for donors to experience firsthand the impact of theirpartnership.

Matt Korn

Client Experience Leader

Kendra Loper

Kendra Loper

Client Experience Leader

With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit and higher education leadership, Kendra is dedicated to fostering organizational growth through mission-driven collaborations, operational efficiency and impactful messaging. Known for her curiosity, she is a lifelong learner combining new knowledge with her expertise in team development, mid-level and major gift fundraising, board development, strategic planning and marketing. Kendra’s true passion lies in growing organizations, driving improvements in processes and building team effectiveness to maximize mission impact. In her spare time, you’ll find her snuggling with her Great Dane or exploring beautiful beach locations around the world with her husband. She uses too many exclamations in her emails and has never met an Oxford comma she liked.

Kendra Loper

Client Experience Leader

Adrien Lynch

Adrien Lynch

Marketing & Learning Manager

Adrien Lynch has a background in copyediting, customer service, communications, and project management. She has worked with startups, software companies, and market research firms where she’s helped create new systems, enhance the customer experience, and develop marketing strategy. Adrien is also a Certified Scrum Master and is working toward a black belt in toddler conflict resolution.

Adrien Lynch

Marketing and Learning Manager

Caitlin Melody

Caitlin Melody

Community Experience Manager

Raised in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and often found rambling through Appalachia with a dog in tow, Caitlin began her career in customer service in 2010. With a strong background in retail management she has worked with companies across the country, focusing on communications and business acumen. A ceaseless desire to serve her community led to a love of volunteer work that has ranged from animal rescue, community advocacy, and even working to maintain trails within our national parks. In her spare time you will find her out in the wild with her pups Ziggy and Clementine.

Caitlin Melody

Community Experience Manager

Lori Minton

Lori Minton

Director of Operations

Lori is an enthusiastic and innovative professional with over 20 years of experience working with commercial, government and non-profit organizations. Lori believes it’s important to give back to the community and non-profit organizations hold a special place in her heart. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Management from West Virginia University – Parkersburg.

Lori Minton

Director of Operations

Erica Morris

Erica Morris

Administrative Assistant

Erica is a United States veteran with a combined 20 years of military and federal service working with both the Air Force and Army. She separated in 2015 as an Air Force Master Sergeant. Throughout her military career, she has worked in telecommunications and emergency management assisting military leaders in both day-to-day and deployment communications. During her military career she earned her degree in Information Systems.

Erica Morris

Executive Assistant

Richard Perry

Richard Perry

Founder

Richard Perry has over 40 years’ experience helping nonprofits transform their Major Gift programs. He co-founded The Domain Group, which was one of the largest full-service fundraising consulting agencies serving major national, regional and local nonprofits in the United States. Richard also does management consulting and leadership development and transition, and he has worked with mergers and acquisitions.

Richard Perry

Founder

Jeff Schreifels

Jeff Schreifels

Principal

For more than 25 years, Jeff has been developing, planning and executing strategic fundraising and marketing programs. He’s served as Development Director at several nonprofits and was Senior Strategy Director at The Domain Group, where he helped to develop record-setting fundraising programs for the agency’s largest clients.

Jeff Schreifels

Principal

Robert Shafis

Robert Shafis

Director, Planned Giving Services

Robert Shafis has been a successful fundraiser, speaker, and attorney for over 30 years, and programs under his direction have accounted for over $750 Million in major and planned gifts. As Director of Major Gift Planning at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, and Director of Major and Planned Giving for The Field Museum, he participated in campaigns of over $200 Million each. Mr. Shafis is a board member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and speaks to national and local groups about planned giving, estate planning, charitable tax issues, and the process of fundraising.

Robert Shafis

Director, Planned Giving Services

Kevin Switala

Kevin Switala

Marketing Systems and IT Manager

Kevin has over 28 years of experience in IT and marketing systems. Blending business strategy with technology to create quality systems. Proven ability to work with diverse organizations to leverage technologies for business transformation, enhancement and support.

Kevin Switala

Marketing Systems and IT Manager

Theresa Tapocsi

Theresa Tapocsi

Client Experience Leader

With more than a decade of experience in fundraising, Theresa Tapocsi brings a passion for the non-profit sector to her work. Theresa has worked on multiple successful capital campaigns, and has spent her career helping organizations establish systems and best practices for many functions of fundraising and non-profit management, including annual giving, major giving, board development, grants planning, and event management. She has her B.A. in Arts Management and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Baldwin Wallace University.

Theresa Tapocsi

Client Experience Leader

Renita Tyson

Renita Tyson

Client Experience Leader

Renita Tyson’s background is filled with experience in numerous sectors. From Fortune 500 companies to small industrial manufacturers to UCLA, she’s held sales, marketing, development & senior management positions. Most recently, she was the Chief Development Officer with Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica.

Originally from Chicago, Renita has lived in the LA area since 2002. Outside of work, Renita is a health and wellness enthusiast. She also enjoys her church community, loves cooking and eating Caribbean and Creole cuisine, enjoys beach walks, attending outdoor jazz concerts and salsa dancing. And she makes a mean sweet potato pie

Renita Tyson

Client Experience Leader

Caryn Webb

Caryn Webb

Lead Data Analyst

Caryn has over 20 years of experience working in higher education environment with 13+ of those specializing in financial data. She has served in the roles of financial systems analyst, technical trainer, and technical support. With her background in education, and previous experience in healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, she brings a unique perspective to analysis and has a passion for process improvement. She has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from California State University, Long Beach with an emphasis in Interpersonal & Organizational Communication.

Caryn Webb

Lead Data Analyst

Heidi Waugh

Heidi Waugh

Marketing & Training Coordinator

Heidi Waugh is a duly-admitted attorney with a background in research, editing, critical thinking, and administrative services. Hailing from the public service field, Heidi has an affinity for the non-profit sector’s commitment to advancing the greater good by addressing today’s complex societal challenges. She has served as a conservation commissioner, library trustee, and fair housing legal advocate. Heidi is a graduate of Smith College and Western New England University’s School of Law. She finds deep joy in parenting, peonies, and poke bowls.

Heidi Waugh

Marketing & Training Coordinator

Our Culture

We engage our hearts and intellect in our work. We use quantitative and qualitative measures to know that our strategies and counsel actually work. Promises are not enough. Measurable results are. We need to know that the programs of our clients are really making an impact. We will be close to the pain and hurt of the work of our clients – and we will be close to their joy and celebration. We celebrate and value accountability and discipline in our work where gift officers focus on the right donors and manage a strategic plan for each donor that effectively fulfills their interests and passion.

Our Values:

  • Donor intent and desire to change the world.
  • Client vision and mission.
  • Service to humankind and our planet.
  • Honesty and transparency.
  • Professionalism.
  • Partnership and mutuality.
  • Return on investment.
  • Hard work.
  • Relationships.
  • Fun.

Our Objectives:

  • Reach client objectives at the right cost.
  • Provide meaningful employment.
  • Make a reasonable profit.