Eryn Hatzithomas has been the Coordinator of Volunteers at Queens Botanical Garden since March 2018. She is responsible for recruiting, onboarding and tracking the over 250 long term volunteers and 2000 event volunteers that contribute their time to the Garden yearly. In the past year, she has implemented volunteer tracking software Garden-wide, taking the former system of paper timesheets and contact forms, and manual Excel reporting, to a fully electronic system.

She also developed an advertising program for Corporate Volunteering in partnership with NYC Service that increased corporate volunteering revenue 600% from the previous year. Most recently, she has developed launched a new Garden Greeters/Docent program. Formerly a Vice President of Human Resource Information Reporting at Bank of America, Eryn also served as the Lead Program Implementation Consultant for 6 Global Markets and Investment Banking Entry Training programs for over 2000 new full time hires. She is a professional photographer and enjoys photographing families and flowers at the Garden.

As Vice President, takes a hands on approach to all aspects of the company with special emphasis on account management
Leads business development
Acts as account manager on over 850 projects for a vast array of clients
Meets with clients to evaluate and determine online goals and develops client-specific solutions to satisfy these needs
Coordinates with the client team to review project progress and ensure timely delivery and client satisfaction

Neil also served as The Game Experience, Inc, Retail sales of video game software and hardware
Mail order and Internet sales and fulfillment – national and international sales and CEO of Scher, Levin & Associates, Inc.Independent Insurance Agency
Property & Casualty, Life, and Health Insurance Administrative experience, marketing, and auditing

Neil earned his B.A. Economics from Brooklyn College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Queens Chamber of Commerce, member of both Greater NY Chamber of Commerce and Long Island Network Exchange.

Anthony Luisi is the Director of Development officer at the Alphapointe Foundation, bringing to the role more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management. In this capacity, Anthony leads efforts to facilitate philanthropic gifts and grants to advance the mission of the Foundation and its programs and initiatives. He also has responsibility for management of key relationships as well as developing a fundraising strategy from the ground up for Alphapointe’s new facility in Richmond Hills, Queens. Alphapointe is a 501c3 and the largest employer of disabled people in the 5 boroughs. In addition to direct employment, Alphapointe also places another 20 people in careers throughout New New York City.

Prior to Alphapointe, Anthony was a Director at AR Loyalty Management, there he developed and launched loyalty and logistics technology platforms for the e-commerce, gaming and entertainment sectors. While at AR Loyalty, Anthony launched “Star Auctions “” a platform where consumers could donate or gift their points and miles to charity. Anthony is married, has 4 children and resides in Bethpage, New York.

Anthony is a founding member and Director for Breath Believe, a nonprofit supporting families impacted by Cystic Fibrosis

Sonia Saleh has worked both in the for-profit and not-for-profit world. During her hospitality career she served as a board member for national, regional, and local nonprofits.

All this experience and knowledge has given her the unique expertise and understanding of both executives and board members serving nonprofits.

She uses these gifts to teach, train, and coach executives and board members of nonprofit organizations in the art of fundraising. She has her own company, Uplifting Nonprofits, and created and developed a course called “Unleash your Inner Fundraiser” that helps individuals optimize their fundraising efforts while doubling their fundraising results.

Sonia knows fundraising isn’t just about the techniques to ask. Yes, there is some science to it but in the end it’s all about people. Yes, the ultimate goal is about bringing donors and the organization together. Yet the most important piece, which is overlooked, is you. You are the one who is asking, so your relationship with asking is crucial. Through Sonia’s program you will discover your relationship to asking and how it impacts your fundraising. Then you will learn how to transform into your own successful fundraising style.