Keynote
Trista Harris
President, Future Good
Trista Harris is a philanthropic futurist, international speaker and the president of FutureGood, a consultancy focused on helping visionaries build a better future. She is the co-author of the book “How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar” and the author of “FutureGood”.
She has spent her whole career dedicated to the social sector. Before starting FutureGood, Trista was President of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, a vibrant community of grantmakers who award more than $1.5 billion annually. Prior to joining MCF in 2013, she was executive director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice in Minneapolis, and she previously served as a program officer at the St. Paul Foundation.
Trista has been certified in strategic foresight by Oxford University, earned her Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, and her Bachelor of Arts from Howard University.
Workshop Speaker
Dien Yuen
CEO, Daylight Advisors
As CEO of Daylight, Dien is working to maximize philanthropy’s potential for transforming lives by advancing the training, research, professionalization, and diversity of social impact advising. She also serves as lead faculty for philanthropy at the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) in Singapore.
Dien was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and was recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from WMI.
Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she also developed and taught courses as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy for the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation. Overall, Dien has supported more than one thousand advisors seeking greater competence, confidence, and cultural dexterity in their work.
Earlier in her career, Dien worked for several wealth management firms and held executive positions in regional and global development organizations. Today, she serves on the boards of Myriad USA, Giving Compass, and Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. She is also an advisor to Asia Society Northern California and Global SF.
Workshop Speaker
James K. McBain
Senior Vice President, Regional Director of Wealth Planning and Trust Advisory, US Bank
As West Regional Director of Wealth Planning and Trust Advisory, James leads a team responsible for all aspects of wealth planning and trust advisory. He partners with senior executives to collaborate in the areas of wealth and estate planning as well as wealth transfer needs. James and his team also research and recommend fiduciary strategies and opportunities for high net worth individuals and families.
James has spent much of his career practicing law before beginning his career in the banking and financial services industry in 2018. Prior to joining U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, James worked as a Senior Fiduciary Advisory Specialist at Wells Fargo Private Bank. His professional background includes designing and implementing multi-generational estate plans, evaluating business entity buy-sell and operating agreements, and assisting with philanthropic plans involving foundations, charitable trusts and donor advised funds.
James is very active in his community. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, WSBA Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, American Bar Association and the King County Bar Association. Additionally, he serves as a member and past chair of the University of Washington Estate and Gift Planning Council and as a member of the Overlake Medical Center Planned Giving Advisory Council.
James resides in Redmond. When he is not at work, he enjoys youth baseball (James was a coach, manager, and president of his local little league), running and spending time with family.
Land Acknowledgement & Discussion Leader
Samantha Biasca
Director of Development, BlueBridge Alliance
Samantha K’_alaag’aa Jaat Biasca (Kaigani Haida, Tlingit, and Iñupiaq Nations) is a current AFP Cohort Member, a DEI & Indigenous allyship consultant, and serves as the Director of Development for the BlueBridge Alliance. With a background in Development and Communications in Native Non-profits, Samantha’s work is grounded in values of community based equity and allyship. She serves as the Board Vice-Chair of Unkitawa, Board Treasurer of the Haida Heritage Foundation, and Founder of Native Diamonds, LLC.
Panelists
Emily Mendez-Bryant, Facilitator
Executive Director, Tacoma Community College Foundation
2024 President, AFP South Sound Chapter
Mendez-Bryant has nearly 25 years of experience in fundraising and development, marketing and community relations, along with exceptional leadership skills, from such industries like health care and non-profits. She was born and raised in Seattle, and is known for her warm Aloha spirit (she lived in Hawaii for 14 years), strong collaboration with teams, and her deep commitment to the mission of the work. Mendez-Bryant earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from the American College of Financial Services.
Angela Jossy
Angela Jossy is the new owner of Weekly Volcano Newspaper and she is the brainchild behind Tacoma ART BUS. She also frequently serves as the Event Coordinator of Art on the Ave Festival and she is a longtime advocate for local businesses, nonprofits and especially the creative community in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Colleen Carmichael
Colleen Carmichael is the Executive Director at New Horizon Communities and has an extensive background in homeless housing, finance, community outreach, and fundraising. She has a history of successful non-profit leadership and is committed to service in her personal and professional life.
Desireé Wilkins Finch
Desiree Wilkins-Finch was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Desiree has spent 15 years as an organizer spreading a message of hope, action, and change.
Kwabi Amoah-Forson
Kwabi Amoah-Forson is a humanitarian and influencer from Tacoma, WA. Through various humanitarian campaigns, he has assisted those in need in his community and across the country. He also strives to educate and foster dialogue on peace through “The Peace Bus’ He has been featured on PBS Television, King 5 News, Q13 Fox, and co-hosted last year’s Northwest Emmys.
Michelle McLean
Michelle co-founded with her daughters Peace Out as a local nonprofit to inspire philanthropy. Michelle’s superpower is mobilizing people for good as evident on by her frequent Community Makeovers.
Savannah Smith
Savannah Smith is curiosity-driven compassionate leader, with the vision and grit to make dreams of an equitable future a reality. She is the co-founder of Sea Potential, where they cultivate a full cycle of Black Indigenous People Of Color representation in the maritime industry. Savannah was recently named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 North America List for Education.
