Keynote Speaker
Patrick Schmitt
Co-CEO/Founder, FreeWill
“I’m focused on creating scalable global impact by making it much easier for ordinary people to do tremendous good. I’ve been lucky enough to be on great teams that have helped to elect President Obama, pass health care reform, and create the world’s largest social change platform at Change.org.”
Patrick is currently the co-CEO and co-founder of FreeWill, a social venture founded at Stanford University that has raised more than $10B for charities and nonprofits. Before FreeWill, Patrick founded two nonprofit organizations and served as the Head of Innovation at Change.org, where he helped grow the organization to 100 million users in 4 years.
Lunch Speaker
Chris Staudinger
Co-Founder and Entrepreneur, Pretty Gritty Tours
For over fifteen years Chris worked as a videographer, journalist, and travel writer helping promote destinations and uncover the best parts of the world. On camera and behind the lens, he’s been working to put destinations and events on the map.
“Today I have the privilege of helping people tell their story to travelers and tourists who are looking for life changing experiences. It has been my deepest pleasure to have worked with and represented BBC, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Discovery Network, National Geographic, and many more in curating trips and tours and with countless destinations as a marketing agent.”
Today Chris runs Pretty Gritty Tours and provide tours and experiences for tourists and brands throughout Washington. Pretty Gritty Tours has built community partnerships with the City of Tacoma, T Mobile, JAW Maritime, The Foss Waterway Seaport, Experience Olympia, Travel Tacoma, American Cruise Lines, and so many more.
Media Guest Speaker
Jennifer Wing
News Director, KNKX NPR
Jennifer Wing leads the KNKX News department. She is an award winning journalist whose work has aired on various outlets including NPR, the BBC, Marketplace and the Third Coast Podcast.
Jennifer has worked for KNKX as a reporter and producer. She was a producer and host for Sound Effect and was the co-host of Transmission, one of the first podcasts about the pandemic. She believes that everyone has a story to tell and that sharing our personal journeys helps us to become better versions of ourselves.
Before joining KNKX Jennifer worked for KGMI in Bellingham, WILM News Radio in Wilmington, Delaware and Northwest Cable News in Seattle. She got her start in public radio at WRTI and WHYY in Philadelphia. Jennifer grew up in Philadelphia and received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Temple University.
Speaker
Dr. Terryl Ross
VP of Antiracism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Goodwill Olympia & Rainier Region
Terryl has over 30 years of experience related to equity and social justice. He specializes in examining the intersectionality of diversity, equity & inclusion; climate justice; and peace studies. He has been the Chief Diversity Officer at four different organizations and is currently the vice-president of antiracism, equity and Inclusion at the Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region.
Terryl believes the 21st century will be a time of scarcity and reduction, resulting in a struggle between those who want to bring people together versus those who want to divide people. Terryl believes people are ready to come together in a new way to build learning communities and to proactively make social justice a priority in America. He is completing his first book, “The Rise of the Others and the DEI Paradox.”
Professional Advisor Workshop Speaker
Avery Frank, CPA
Tax Manager – Gift, Estate, & Trust at CLA
Avery Frank, CPA is a seasoned Gift, Estate & Trust Manager at the Bellevue office of CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC and is passionate about guiding high‑net‑worth families through multi‑generational wealth transfer strategies. He earned a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University and completed an Estate Planning Certificate at Villanova Law. Avery frequently shares his expertise through webinars and articles—most recently on grantor vs non‑grantor trust tax implications—and mentors future accountants, hosting high school and college interns. Deeply involved in his community, he serves on the Boys & Girls Club of King County finance committee. Avery combines technical acumen, educational outreach, and client‑focused service to help families preserve their legacies.
Professional Advisor Workshop Speaker
Todd M. Blodgett
Tax Planning Attorney, Eisenhower Carlson
Todd is an estate planning attorney who also serves as general counsel to wealthy individuals, their families, and their businesses. He works with clients to design and implement complex and tax-efficient strategies for their wealth and estate planning. High net worth individuals – including business owners, real estate developers, and executives of private and public companies – rely on Todd’s guidance and counsel for all aspects of wealth transfer strategies, income and transfer tax planning, gifting, charitable giving, and business succession plans.
Todd also assists individuals, families and financial institutions with probate and trust administration, including charitable trusts, disputes and controversies, complex real estate matters and fiduciary administration. He represents people who have lost family members and face complexities in transferring assets, personal representatives and trustees, and heirs of large estates. Todd additionally advises nonprofit clients on various issues, including obtaining 501(c)(3) status, acceptance and administration of complex gifts, and governance issues.
Closing Speaker
Dr. John Gaines
Founder, PUSH for Dreams
Dr. John “Push” Gaines is a former at-risk kid turned CEO/Founder of nonprofit PUSH for Dreams, best-selling author, renowned speaker, leadership consultant, and mentorship advocate. Known for his powerful message of perseverance, John inspires students, professionals, and communities to “keep pushing” through adversity. His life story fuels his mission to uplift others through mentorship and positivity. Named one of Yahoo News’ “Top 10 Most Influential People of 2020,” he’s spoken at universities, conferences, NBA camps, and schools nationwide. Devoting himself to the world community, John has proudly appeared as a guest speaker at universities, corporations, national conferences, nonprofit events, NBA skill camps, school assemblies, and youth camps nationwide. He holds a Master’s in Business Leadership and a Doctorate in Business Administration. His greatest joy is being husband to Emily and father to Anorah, Benny, and Jonah.
Panelists for Pathways Home Case Study
Michael Yoder, Facilitator
Executive Director, Associated Ministries
Michael Yoder is the Executive Director of Associated Ministries in Tacoma–Pierce County, a role he began on August 31, 2015. With over 30 years of nonprofit leadership—including five senior roles—he brings deep experience in marketing, communications, and community engagement. Mike previously led events and brand initiatives at World Vision before transitioning to Associated Ministries. He serves on the boards of the Affordable Housing Consortium, Human Services Coalition, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, and the Steering Committee to End Homelessness. A dedicated family man and avid hiker, Mike has traveled to 30 countries and loves mentoring, reading, and exploring Mt. Rainier with his wife.
Aimee Khuu
Focus: REACH Center, youth and LGBTQ+ (Pierce County)
Aimee Khuu is the Executive Director of Tacoma Community House and The REACH Center, appointed January 2023. Fluent in English and Spanish, she brings 15 years of national and international nonprofit leadership—previously serving as Chief of Health Equity at Providence. Aimee champions equity, immigrant and refugee rights, and youth empowerment.
Duke Paulson
Focus: Good Neighbor Village (Pierce County)
Duke Paulson has served as Executive Director of Tacoma Rescue Mission since April 12, 2018, overseeing education, employment, housing, recovery, and community programming. He brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership—formerly at MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation, Helping Hand House, and Metropolitan Development Council—and is committed to faith‑based, trauma‑informed service to Pierce County.
Joseph Crain
Focus: Downtown Block Project (Kitsap County)
Joseph Crain is Executive Director at St. Vincent de Paul, bringing over 25 years of data-driven leadership in nonprofit operations. He excels in optimizing programs, delivering consistent results, and driving mission impact. Passionate about community service, Joseph leverages his extensive experience to enhance organizational efficiency and enrich client support services.
Trudy Soucoup
Focus: Scattered Site Homes + Navigators (Thurston County)
Trudy Soucoup is CEO of Homes First, leading affordable housing in Thurston & Mason Counties since October 2011. She brings over 30 years of global nonprofit leadership, previously at Community Youth Services, and champions board development and organizational sustainability. Trudy also serves on several local boards, empowering housing justice.
