Aimee Ainali (she/her) is a Client Senior Accountant at Third Plateau providing administrative and financial support to external philanthropic management clients. She is responsible for general accounting services and investment reporting.

Aimee has worked as a staff accountant in a non-profit organization where she was responsible for accounts payable, grant management, general ledger, bank reconciliations, and investment reporting. She also played an instrumental role in implementing a new financial management software and numerous process improvements.

Aimee earned her A.A.S. in Business Management with an emphasis on Business Administration and an A.A.S. in Accounting from Rasmussen University. Aimee lives in Minnesota, where she spends time with her family fishing, enjoying a good movie, sitting around a bonfire, or helping her husband with his many DIY projects.

Jaré (she/her) is the Chief Impact Officer at Third Plateau, where she maximizes the strategic impact of the firm’s partnerships and leads teams to drive meaningful change. She ensures all efforts are thoughtfully designed to create lasting and measurable outcomes.

Jaré has been a grantmaker, a nonprofit executive, a development professional, and a direct service provider. In these roles, she built systems for organizational capacity, supported research projects, developed and implemented programming, and generally rocked. Jaré holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from the University of Maryland and a master’s in Public Administration from San Francisco State University.

Jaré is a Louisiana native (Geaux Tigers!) who recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee. In her spare time, she can be found on a hiking trail, traveling to visit friends around the world, or fine-tuning her baking skills.

Rebecca (she/her) is a Vice President on the Leadership Development Team at Third Plateau. In this role, she leads Third Plateau’s leadership development and executive coaching practice, which provides tools and experiences to spark transformation in social sector leaders and teams.

Rebecca draws on her experience coaching and advising social entrepreneurs around the world to cultivate space for growth and insight for her clients. Previously, Rebecca worked for Ashoka in Washington, D.C. as a liaison to Ashoka’s country offices across Europe. She spent three years in Stockholm, Sweden, where she played a key role in designing and launching Ashoka Scandinavia’s Fellowship program, which provides leadership development and capacity-building support to social entrepreneurs across the region.

Rebecca received her B.A. from Emory University, her master’s in Global Health from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and her coaching credentials from the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI). Rebecca is a credentialed Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation and a certified practitioner of The Leadership Circle Profile and Leadership Mindset Indicator. Rebecca lives in the East Bay with her husband and two kids. Born in San Francisco, Rebecca grew up in North Carolina and is a Tar Heel at heart.

Jessica (she/her) is a Senior Director of Operations at Third Plateau. Her role is to provide high-quality support to staff and continuous improvement to operating systems. She oversees the employee lifecycle, manages payroll, and leads special projects to ensure our operating systems run efficiently and effectively.

She began her career in the classroom as a high school math teacher with a strong passion for educational equity. Her passions combined with her strengths in project management, processes, and systems design led her to shift her focus from the classroom to operational roles in mission-driven organizations with a focus on making the world a better place.

Jessica earned her master’s in Statistics from University of Maryland and currently resides in coastal Connecticut. In her free time, she loves hiking or long walks in nature, trying new recipes, and cozying up with her cat and a warm cup of tea.

Evan Bartlett (she/her) is an Associate Director on the Strategy Team at Third Plateau. She supports social sector organizations to develop strategies to deepen their impact. She provides thoughtful partnership, facilitation expertise, and targeted project management for strategic planning and business planning processes and more.

She began her career in the developing world, specializing in agriculture and food security and serving local populations in Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, and India. These experiences working with nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and government agencies fueled her interest in designing strategy for social impact.

Evan holds B.A.s in History and Political Science from Bryant University and earned her master’s in Global Human Development from Georgetown University. She is currently based in her native Chicago and loves lakefront runs, Nicolas Cage movies, and expanding her collection of houseplants.

Mariela (she/her) provides administrative and project management support for smooth daily operations at Third Plateau, working closely with members of our senior and operations team. She enjoys using her planning and coordination skills to ensure philanthropic and business efficiency.

Mariela has a background in administration, client relations, operations, and data management. Prior to joining Third Plateau, she worked at various start-ups in the Bay Area, most recently at Lucira Health, a biotech company that created the first FDA approved at-home COVID-19 test. Prior to that, Mariela served as an Administrative Operations Assistant at Zūm, an organization focused on reimagining student transportation across the nation.

Mariela graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Merced. Outside of work, you will often find her traveling to new places and trying new foods. She loves baking desserts – her specialty is banana bread! Mariela also enjoys reading, decorating, organizing her home, trying new coffee spots, and catching up on her favorite shows.

Mike Berkowitz is Co-Founder and Principal at Third Plateau, where he co-leads the firm’s Democracy practice and works across its Philanthropic Management and Jewish Community Impact portfolios. Mike is an experienced facilitator, strategist, philanthropic advisor, and grantmaker. He specializes in weaving networks, curating philanthropic learning, and developing strategies for addressing complex challenges.

A leader in the movement to revitalize U.S. democracy, Mike serves as Executive Director of the Democracy Funders Network, a cross-ideological learning and action community for donors concerned about the health of American democracy. He is also co-founder of the Patriots & Pragmatists network. 

Mike is a 21/64-certified philanthropy consultant and has counseled numerous individual donors, family foundations, institutional foundations, and funder networks on their philanthropic strategies. He is a Senior Advisor to the Pritzker Innovation Fund, which supports the development and advancement of paradigm-shifting ideas to address the world’s most wicked problems, with a primary focus on climate and energy and on U.S. democracy. Mike is also a Senior Advisor to the John Pritzker Family Fund. In that role, he advises the foundation on its strategy, governance, grantmaking, and communications, and helps to oversee its investments in Democracy & Civic Health and Jewish Life.

Mike is a board member of Persuasion, a publication and community for people committed to the values of a free society, and is a strategic advisor to A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy, which is organizing and mobilizing the American Jewish community to protect and strengthen American democracy.

Prior to Third Plateau, Mike served as Senior Vice President for Operations and Strategy at the Bonner Group, Inc., a nonprofit and political fundraising firm in Washington, DC. He also worked at Mammen, Pritchard & Associates and served as a Public Policy Fellow at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Mike has a B.A. in History, magna cum laude, from Brown University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Lance Bitner-Laird is an award-winning data strategist and civic technologist building evidence and infrastructure for modern philanthropy. He currently serves as the inaugural Associate Director of Research & Evaluation at Third Plateau.

His work has brought him to the White House and earned two Anthem Awards for Best Use of Data. He has partnered with over four dozen philanthropies, nonprofits, corporations, and governments — including the Gates Foundation, Democracy Fund, New Pluralists, Fast Forward, Liquid IV, and U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Health & Human Services.

His research has spanned democracy, civic technology, AI, social cohesion, international development, arts, public health, education, and evidence practice — with more than a dozen publications and presentations at national conferences including the National Conference on Citizenship.

He holds a B.S. in Sociology with High Distinction from the University of Michigan and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Laura serves as a lead senior accountant for Third Plateau clients and is affectionately known as The Number Whisperer, bringing more than two decades of experience in small business and nonprofit accounting and management. 

A degree in Journalism from San Diego State sparked an unexpected path into nonprofit work, and her position as Fund Development Coordinator for the East Bay Conservation Corps. She next spent eight years as Director of Administration at the California Library Association, and then another eight years in the same role at the California Hospice Foundation, where her responsibilities included accounting, fund development, event management, and member services. Laura has also managed the accounting for all her family’s small businesses, including payroll, bookkeeping, and tax prep.

 Laura has a deep commitment to the organizations she serves, which extends well beyond her work. She is the team’s resident animal rescuer, sharing her home with her husband, four dogs, and the occasional foster or stray in Sacramento, California. Outside of work, you can find her kayaking, bird watching, or trying the newest restaurant in town.

Adrienne (she/her) partners with philanthropists to clarify their aspirations and create strategic portfolios that address social and political issues for large-scale and lasting impact. She also leads our communications team to promote our innovative approach to social impact and philanthropy.

Adrienne has passionately devoted her career to social change at the intersection of philanthropy, policy, and communications. Before joining Third Plateau, she was Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Northern California, one of the largest Planned Parenthoods in the U.S., and the Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund. She previously served as Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, leading Northern California field and press operations, and statewide judicial nominations and women’s issues. Adrienne began her career doing environmental grassroots organizing in San Diego, expanding women’s rights in L.A., and navigating immigration casework in New York City.

Adrienne is a proud double UC graduate with an M.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego. She serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Northern California, is a member of the Democracy Funders Network, and is a 21/64 Certified Philanthropic Advisor. Outside of work, Adrienne is raising her daughter in Berkeley with her husband, obsessing over Bay Area food, staying up on health and wellness, taking urban walks or hikes in nature, and reading several non-fiction books at a time.

Kyle (he/him) develops and implements strategic communications at Third Plateau to promote our bold and innovative approach to social impact. He believes that provocative, human-centered narratives are key to shifting behavior and building positive momentum on systemic issues like racial justice and access to healthcare.

Kyle has over 15 years of experience leading marketing and communications in the private and nonprofit sectors. Before joining Third Plateau, he was a Managing Director at LEWIS Global Communications—a B2B agency specializing in marketing, strategy, and public relations. He also spent five years abroad managing social impact campaigns in 11 countries — from peacebuilding programs in Timor-Leste to anti-human trafficking projects in Southeast Asia. His areas of expertise include digital marketing, content strategy, and storytelling.

Kyle has a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University’s School of International Service. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and loves spending time outdoors with his family — hiking in Tilden Park, exploring the Marin Headlands, and shopping at farmers’ markets. Whenever possible, Kyle runs and rides his gravel bike in the local open spaces.

Whitney (she/her) is a Vice President at Third Plateau, where she supports nonprofits, funders, and leaders across sectors and oversees the firm’s overall practice: ensuring our services are integrated; the firm is diverse, equitable, and inclusive; and that our work drives better outcomes for people and the planet. Over her tenure at Third Plateau, she has run numerous business and strategic planning processes for national organizations such as NDN Collective and PopChange Institute; built out evaluation systems and processes for funder collaboratives such as NewsMatch; and led the grantmaking strategy and execution for foundations including the Penney Family Fund, Arkay Foundation, and Golden 1 Credit Union. Whitney is a 21/64-certified philanthropic advisor.

Prior to joining Third Plateau Whitney received her master’s of International Affairs at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. Whitney also spent two years in Nicaragua, where she worked at a microfinance organization, taught Spanish, and supported an international internship program focused on asset-based community development.

Whitney is committed to centering racial equity in her work, continuously exploring what it means for her to be a white woman in the social impact space and leveraging her privilege to support organizations that are led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color. A native of northern California, she lives in the East Bay (unceded Lisjan territory) with her husband Eduardo, where she enjoys walks around the neighborhood, eating good food, playing tennis, and running (or sitting) around Lake Chabot.

Toby Cavalier (he/him) is a Senior Associate on the Strategy and Programs team at Third Plateau, where he helps philanthropists and nonprofits identify and make high-leverage investments in science and innovation, democracy, and climate — connecting funders with the practitioners and researchers doing the work.

At Third Plateau, Toby leads the firm’s AI working group, developing internal AI policy and piloting new applications for the firm and its clients. He led the development of the US Democracy Hub, an Anthem Award–winning data platform for civil society, and has built and managed a new climate funders group focused on durable, pragmatic climate solutions. Earlier in his tenure, he served as Chief of Staff to Mike Berkowitz, Co-Founder and Principal of Third Plateau. Before joining the firm, Toby conducted field research on environmental issues impacting public health in India, South Africa, and Brazil, and studied peace-building initiatives in Israel and the West Bank. He holds a B.A. in Biology from Swarthmore College.

Toby lives in San Francisco and spends his free time reading sci-fi, making and playing music, swimming in cold water, and watching movies.

Elena (she/her) is a Director on the Research & Evaluation team at Third Plateau. She leads mixed-methods research and evaluation projects, supporting organizational learning and data-informed decision making. She is passionate about utilizing creative, participatory processes to inform change and is committed to taking a community-centered approach to research and evaluation.

Elena joins the firm with over a decade of experience supporting organizations that center arts education, community building, civic engagement, and social justice. She has served as a teaching artist, program director, and evaluation consultant for educational nonprofits and government agencies across four different countries. Elena holds a B.A. in Visual and Media Arts from Emerson College and an M.F.A. in Arts Leadership from Seattle University.

Outside of work, Elena is a consumer of interdisciplinary information with a thirst for intellectual debate. She enjoys participating in Jewish communal life, frolicking the Pacific Northwest with her partner and pup, working on various art projects, and night-time snacking.

Tracy (she/her) works with philanthropists to develop giving strategies and build relationships with nonprofit and community leaders and the public sector to find community-driven solutions. She leans on her experience in the nonprofit sector to zero in on community needs and leads with a trust-based approach to transformational philanthropy.

Tracy brings nearly a decade of nonprofit leadership, management, and fundraising experience to Third Plateau. Prior to joining Third Plateau, she was Development Director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Tracy holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Davis (and a Unitrans alumna). She’s a former board member of the San Francisco Women’s Building and has been involved in a democracy-focused giving circle created with friends after the 2016 election.

In her free time, Tracy is usually doing something revolving around food: gathering friends for big dinners, perusing the farmer’s market, trying not to spill wine on her book, or planning which restaurant/brewery to visit after a long hike.

Emily serves as Vice President at Third Plateau, partnering with visionary philanthropists and community organizations to architect strategies and launch programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities.

Emily brings more than twenty-five years of experience in the nonprofit, philanthropy, and arts sectors to Third Plateau. Previously, she spent more than ten years at Museum Management Consultants, where she delivered strategic planning, evaluation, and executive search services to more than fifty museums, theaters, parks, and foundations in the United States. She also spent two years at the Jamestown Community Center, an award-winning youth development agency in San Francisco’s Mission District, where she built the organization’s fundraising infrastructure and raised $1 million annually. She began her career at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, managing the daily activities of the Director and Board of Trustees.

Emily holds an M.B.A. from San Francisco State University and a B.A. from Pomona College. She is an advocate for nonprofit sabbaticals and also serves as the Executive Director of the O2 Sabbatical Award; her passion for sabbaticals began while serving on the interim leadership team at Jamestown during the Executive Director’s sabbatical. On weekends, she spends as much time as possible with family and friends, enjoying the Bay Area’s beautiful parks and trails, engaging with the arts, and exploring new restaurants.

Linda is a controller for Third Plateau clients specializing in nonprofits and goes by the Chronicler of Financial Success — because to Linda, every budget tells a story of where an organization has been and where it is going. Her love for helping others, her commitment to mission-driven organizations, and her comfort with numbers make nonprofit accounting a natural fit, and she brings more than 17 years of experience with California nonprofits and schools across all areas of finance.

Previously, Linda spent eight years as the Chief Business Official at Denair Unified School District where she worked with the Board, management, and both certificated and classified staff to bring an inherited budget with a negative fund balance to positive, with reserves and ongoing raises for all staff.

Linda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Brandman University and a CBO certificate from the California Association of School Business Officials. Outside of work, she enjoys trying new cuisine, drawing and coloring, reading, and playing with her two dogs.

JC (he/him) works collaboratively with philanthropists and community organizations to develop impactful solutions to the broad and deep issues impacting our society, from basic needs to democracy. He leverages his background in philanthropy, public policy, and strategy development to connect generous philanthropic resources with effective organizations, leaders, and campaigns to address real needs and uplift communities.

Before joining Third Plateau, he served as Nurturing Equity Movements Fellow at the San Francisco Foundation, where he led the Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building and managed a grant portfolio investing in civic engagement, grassroots organizing, and leadership development. He began his career in the nonprofit sector managing communications for The Greenlining Institute – a racial and economic justice policy organization – before working to advance local government policies in Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. JC is an alum of the Justice Funders Harmony Initiative, New Leaders Council San Francisco, and Front Line Leaders Academy leadership programs.

JC is a proud Double Bruin, holding a Master of Public Policy and a dual B.A. magna cum laude in Sociology and Asian American Studies from UCLA. He earned his Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation from the American College of Financial Services. He is honored to serve on the boards of The Greenlining Institute and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. On the weekends, you’ll likely find him enjoying hikes through nature, at a live-music event, playing and watching sports, or traveling and eating his way through new and familiar cities.

Sue (she/her) partners with internal teams to ensure excellent financial oversight and compliance for our firm, philanthropists, and nonprofit community partners. Drawing on her financial planning and management experience, she oversees financial reporting processes and provides accounting and fiscal analysis to the Third Plateau team.

She was previously a senior tax accountant with Ernst & Young’s Exempt Organizations team in the Business Tax Services unit. As a tax accountant specializing in the nonprofit sector, she worked with a variety of charitable organizations to develop a deep knowledge of nonprofit finance and compliance issues.

Sue holds a Master in Accountancy from Golden Gate University and a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. She is an avid animal lover and enjoys hiking with her husband and their two dogs and playing with their two cats.

Allison (she/her) works with philanthropists and community organizations to develop high-impact strategies and programs in a broad range of areas, including democracy, journalism, aging, and leadership development. She is particularly interested in philanthropy that centers racial and social justice and advances big-picture policy and structural change.

Prior to her career in philanthropy, she worked in nonprofit fundraising, programs, and policy for a variety of tech and international nonprofits including Akili Dada, a Kenya-based women’s leadership incubator, and Creative Commons, a global nonprofit working to build an open and accessible commons of knowledge and culture.

Allison holds a dual undergraduate degree in International Studies and French from University of San Francisco, and a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School. She completed executive coach training through the Co-Active Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. Allison previously served as co-chair of the Bay Area Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) and on the board of the Community Living Campaign, a small but mighty organization in San Francisco that advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. She is committed to advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and is a graduate of the Justice Funder’s Harmony Initiative. Her real job is parenting two curious and strong-willed young children. In her precious spare time, she enjoys taking in the magic of live theater or savoring good food with her husband, Sam.

Andrew Doty is Director, Democracy at Third Plateau, where he works across the Democracy Funders Network and Patriots & Pragmatists. He convenes philanthropists, civic leaders, and public thinkers from across the political spectrum to explore new ideas for strengthening American democracy and to significantly expand the range of perspectives engaged in American democracy reform.

Beginning his career with two years of Christian mission work in Uganda, Andrew’s work has spanned more than a decade across democracy reform, nonprofit strategy, and political campaigns. His experience includes serving as inaugural Program Manager and Advisor to the Chairman at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute’s Center on Civility and Democracy, co-creating Democracy Notes’ first end-of-year trends report, organizing a nationwide African American Faith Leaders Network, and informing statewide messaging for the Hogan for Maryland campaign in 2024.

Andrew holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago and graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University’s Barrett, the Honors College. Arizona-raised and a committed partisan of his home state still, he now lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland with his wife, Claire, their twin sons, and their rescue Saluki mix.

Casey brings more than 15 years of accounting experience and a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to her work. She takes pride in helping organizations stay financially strong so they can focus on their mission.  She is especially passionate about building efficient processes and providing reliable financial insight that helps clients make informed decisions.  

Throughout her career, Casey has supported organizations across a variety of industries, with extensive experience in financial reporting, budgeting support, and day-to-day operational accounting. Before joining Third Plateau, Casey held senior accounting roles supporting both nonprofit and private-sector organizations, where she developed a strong background in healthcare and mission-driven financial management. 

Based in South Carolina and originally from Philadelphia, Casey attended Drexel University, where she studied business administration and accounting. Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, fishing, kayaking, relaxing at the beach, and making the most of coastal living.

Ashley Drake (she/her) is a Senior Director on the Research & Evaluation team at Third Plateau. With deep expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research, Ashley uses her interdisciplinary skillset to support projects like the Rippel Foundation ReThink Health Initiative and Covered California. Her strengths span the full range of functions that are essential for this work.

Ashley is a trained anthropologist with a specialization in the areas of human development and organizational culture. She holds a Ph.D. and master’s in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from Bucknell University. Over the past 10+ years, she has worked with diverse populations around the world, directing research and evaluation projects on science education, environmental policy, mental health and wellbeing, and military and veteran concerns.

Ashley currently resides in Northern Michigan and enjoys supporting her local community through her work as a board member for the Grand Traverse Conservation District. In her spare time, she can be found hiking, kayaking, and exploring the natural beauty of the region with her family.

Michaela (she/her) oversees and provides versatile operations and administrative support for Third Plateau. She anticipates the needs of our growing team and develops procedures, processes, and solutions that elevate the quality of our work. In partnership with firm leadership, Michaela keeps her finger on the pulse of what’s happening and ensures that our firm runs smoothly, joyfully, and efficiently.

Michaela previously served as Human Resources and Office Manager at Partners Capital Investment Group, an international Outsourced Investment Office, where she managed the Boston office and the administrative and human resource needs of the U.S. team. This experience sharpened her focus on excellent customer service and strengthened her ability to adapt to entrepreneurial teams.

She holds a B.A. in Marine Affairs from the University of Miami. She is the President of the Friends of the Mill Valley Library Board, where she’s proud to serve her community and share her love of reading. Otherwise, you’ll often find her at home with her husband and their two cats catching up on the latest movies and TV shows.

Caitlin (she/her) oversees our firm’s operational and financial strategy, providing leadership on financial management, modeling and analysis, growth planning, and internal operations. She regularly contributes finance and governance expertise to philanthropists and community partners, which keeps every day of her job fresh and dynamic.

Prior to Third Plateau, she took a fitness start-up in San Francisco from a business plan through its seed round of funding. She started her career as a dancer, which led her to New York City and her evolving interest in fitness. She held a variety of roles at Lululemon Athletica as the company transitioned from a grassroots brand to a multi-billion dollar enterprise.

Caitlin holds an M.B.A., specializing in Finance, from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Politics and Performing Arts from the University of San Francisco. She loves collecting experiences whether through travel abroad or right at home in San Francisco. Caitlin also enjoys trying new restaurants, urban hikes around different neighborhoods, yoga and dance classes, and being a patron of the arts.

Aimee provides fractional Chief Financial Officer services as a client lead and is known to her colleagues as the Head of Financial Fitness — a fitting title for someone who brings almost two decades of nonprofit finance experience and believes that resilience starts with mindset. A servant leader at heart, she is as committed to the health of her clients’ finances as she is to the strength of her relationships with them.

Previously, as the Director of Finance & Strategic Planning at a large animal welfare organization, Aimee managed significant budget growth, achieved clean audits, and grew financial reserves while eliminating debt. She is known for her strategic thinking and ability to drive positive changes within organizations. Her expertise includes financial audits, budgeting, and forecasting, making her an invaluable asset to any team.

Aimee graduated Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Business Administration and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Finance Award. She also holds an MBA from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. Outside of work, she trains year-round for half marathons and loves being outdoors, especially in the mountains, whether hiking or skiing. She shares her home in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, two kids, and Finn, a fluffy seven-pound rescue dog.

Rebecca provides fractional Chief Financial Officer services to Third Plateau clients specializing in nonprofits. Known by her colleagues as the Sorceress of Strategic Sustainability, she has a knack for conjuring long-term financial strength for causes that serve those often without a voice. She has held various finance and leadership roles across the nonprofit sector and brings a strong passion for the strategic sustainability of mission-driven organizations.

Rebecca brings extensive experience in financial cultivation, oversight, and execution, including strategic fund development. Previously, she has worked with nonprofit organizations supporting causes related to domestic violence prevention, child abuse advocacy, services for individuals with disabilities, and community action agencies. Her experience includes financial leadership, grants management, compliance oversight, policy development, audit preparation, and long-range strategic planning for mission-driven organizations.

Rebecca holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service Management, and a Federal Certification in Grants Management for Pass-Through Entities. Her interdisciplinary background provides a unique perspective that bridges compassionate service delivery with strategic financial stewardship and operational sustainability. Originally rooted in California and now based in Arkansas, she loves the outdoors and can be found hiking, wild caving, kayaking, biking, or scuba diving with her life partner. Rebecca is a proud mother to four children, four dogs, and an extensive indoor plant collection.

Shawna Fitzgerald (she/her) is a Principal at Third Plateau, where she co-leads the firm’s financial management and accounting services for philanthropy, nonprofit, and social sector clients. Shawna helps leaders build financially healthy organizations through a highly relational and strategic approach to financial leadership — grounded in a genuine passion for stability, clarity, and long-term growth.

As co-creator of Creating Answers, Shawna built a thriving External CFO firm known for its client-centered approach, deep sector expertise, and strong relationships. Under her leadership, the firm partnered with hundreds of nonprofits, businesses, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen financial operations, improve systems, and support sustainable growth. Shared values, culture, and mission made joining the Third Plateau family a natural next step.

An entrepreneur and builder at heart, Shawna has worked across a wide range of industries and has personally started, purchased, and sold multiple businesses of her own. She is known for helping leaders navigate complexity with both practical financial insight and a calm, solutions-oriented perspective. When guiding organizations through growth, operational change, or financial uncertainty, Shawna brings a collaborative spirit and deep commitment to helping people and organizations thrive.

Shawna has been featured in Sacramento Magazine, was recognized as a Sacramento Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, and received the NAWBO Outstanding Women Leaders Wise Woman Award for her leadership and impact in the business community.

Shawna lives in Northern California with her wife and daughter, who she and her wife are convinced is destined for the stage. Outside of work, she enjoys interior design, exploring new wineries, and traveling.

Cait (she/her) is the Senior Director of Creative Strategy and an Executive Coach at Third Plateau. She leads firm-wide branding, creative strategy, and marketing to expand Third Plateau’s service and reach with nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, organizations, and networks working to build lasting social good.

As a creative strategist, Cait has spent 20 years leading public engagement across government, arts and culture, media, and philanthropy. Before joining Third Plateau, Cait served as Director of Communications for The Redford Center, a Sundance Entity, where she advanced storytelling as a climate solution. She also served as Director of Public Affairs at the California Arts Council, where she led communications during a period of significant growth and policy change, including serving as inaugural program director of the state’s cultural district program. Her earlier career spans marketing at New York Public Radio/WNYC and several acclaimed nonprofit theater companies.

Cait holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and theater arts from Towson University in Baltimore, MD, and is a graduate of the Kennedy Center Executive Arts Management Fellowship in Washington, DC. She trained as an executive coach through the Co-Active Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. Cait serves on the Advisory Council for the Hollywood Climate Summit. She is a writer, walker, and dancer who spends as much time in nature as possible with her husband and son.

Ben (he/him/his) is an Associate Director on the Jewish Community Impact team at Third Plateau. He provides targeted client management, research, and coordination to support organizations serving the Jewish community.

Ben began his career working with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to serve at-risk youth in Israel. He then supported development operations at J Street and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC). Most recently, he has worked with the RAC to analyze potential democracy reforms and with the Center for American Progress to research faith-based responses to gun violence. Ben remains committed to pursuing social impact within and outside the Jewish community.

Ben earned his master’s in Theological Studies, specializing in Religion, Politics, and Policy, from Harvard Divinity School. He is currently based in Washington, DC, where he loves to hike, bake, and read science fiction/fantasy.

Carly (she/her) is a Director on the Strategy & Programs Team at Third Plateau. She supports leaders, teams, and organizations to advance their goals and elevate their impact. Driven by a lifelong commitment to equity and social change, Carly draws from her wealth of experience in facilitation and organizational leadership.

Carly comes to Third Plateau after spending more than a decade advancing criminal justice reform and public health care initiatives. Most recently, she served as a strategy specialist and facilitator with the Chicago-based nonprofit SUM, where she led experiential outdoor retreats focused on team dynamics and organizational effectiveness. Having worked with various nonprofits, schools, legal system entities, and city government, Carly’s cross-sector experience brings a unique perspective to mission-driven organizations.

Carly holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Michigan and a master’s in Nonprofit Leadership with a focus in group dynamics and organizational politics from the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Carly enjoys scoping out new hiking trails (third coast recommendations invited!), attempting the latest Smitten Kitchen recipe, and hosting family and friends in her Irving Park home.

Bailey (she/her) is a Client Accountant at Third Plateau, where she provides essential financial and administrative support to the foundation management team, assisting in delivering comprehensive services to clients. She manages daily general accounting tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all financial operations.

Before joining Third Plateau, Bailey worked as a Teller and Banker at Wells Fargo, where she provided personalized financial services to clients. In this role, she offered tailored advice, facilitated account openings, and managed transactions to help clients achieve their financial objectives. Her ability to understand clients’ needs and offer customized financial solutions strengthened customer relationships and enhanced the overall banking experience. This background allowed her to develop strong communication and client relationship skills, as well as a deep understanding of financial management.

Bailey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the College of Charleston, where she gained a strong foundation in financial analysis and accounting principles. Outside of work, she enjoys assembling puzzles, engaging in paint-by numbers projects, and spending time with her cats, Azalea and Violet. She also loves traveling and exploring new places with her significant other, Nick.

Katherine Gimla Carraher (she/her) is a Senior Grants Manager at Third Plateau, assisting foundation clients with their grantmaking by providing targeted support in communications, research and analysis, data tracking, relationship building, and general operations.

Katherine brings years of experience in foundation management, providing comprehensive client support in everything from grant making to governance and compliance to bookkeeping and payroll. Katherine has worked for both nonprofits and a super PAC and has experience in campaign finance compliance in multiple states. Her previous careers as a journalist and academic editor make her a natural fit as Third Plateau’s resident copy editor. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from San Francisco State University.

Katherine has lived on both coasts, as well as in Chicago and Puerto Rico, but now calls the East Bay home. She enjoys curling up with a good book or film noir, appreciating all the Bay Area has to offer, and – most of all – spending time with her two children.

Nora (she/her) is a Director on the Jewish Community Impact team at Third Plateau. Leading with a learner’s mindset and relationship-building approach, Nora is passionate about working with leaders and organizations to advance their goals and deepen their impact.

Nora comes to Third Plateau with a background in both the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, most recently serving as a Program Officer at Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Through this role, she supported a range of grantees working to build and sustain vibrant Jewish communities, with a focus on inclusion and belonging, mental health and wellness, and the talent pipeline within the sector. Prior to Schusterman, Nora worked at the William Davidson Foundation and the University of Southern California Hillel, using these roles to deepen her understanding of local community engagement and the interplay of the local, regional and national Jewish organizational ecosystem, while supporting the development of engagement and leadership initiatives.

Nora received both her Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan. Nora lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband Eli, and their Labrador Annie. You can find her exploring new neighborhoods, museums and restaurants across the city, perfecting her homemade ice cream recipes, playing Mahjong or discussing the television shows she is currently watching.

Evan (he/him) supports the day-to-day operations at Third Plateau by assisting with administrative responsibilities and data management. He collaborates with both the senior leadership and operations teams, utilizing his organizational skills and technical versatility to ensure smooth sailing for all involved.

Prior to joining Third Plateau, Evan worked as an Operations Manager at Dryvebox, a San Francisco-based startup delivering a mobile, simulated golf experience in a variety of event formats across the country. In this role, Evan oversaw daily operations and events in the Bay Area, working with clients, colleagues, and members of the community to ensure the highest quality experience for the entire Dryvebox family.

Evan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from San Francisco State University. During his time as a Gator, he became interested in community engagement, educational equity, and data analysis. Outside of work, Evan enjoys biking through Golden Gate Park, watching Liverpool games with his Dad, captaining his soccer team, and (occasionally) winning trivia night.

Michael Hall is the Vice President of Finance at Third Plateau. A seasoned finance and accounting professional, Michael holds nearly two decades of experience in leadership and management roles across various industries. He has been instrumental in developing and implementing strategic business plans, driving rapid threefold growth, and overseeing capital allocation, controllership, treasury, performance management, risk management, human resources, and procurement.

Michael has a proven track record of managing key relationships with audit firms, credit facilities, vendors, and clients, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. His leadership in workforce planning and team development has resulted in reduced overhead costs and enhanced financial outcomes. He possesses a strong background in business integration and efficiency, including ERP implementation, project accounting, revenue recognition, and has proficiency with various accounting and business intelligence software.

Outside of his professional achievements, Michael has dedicated time to teaching financial literacy classes for marginalized youth. In his downtime, he enjoys pickleball and exploring national parks and hiking with his dog and best friend, Buddy. He also cherishes time with family, especially being a fun uncle to his niece and nephew.

Madeline “Maddie” Harty is an Associate on the Democracy Team at Third Plateau supporting the Democracy Communications Collaborative (DCC). She supports strategy, research, and grantmaking of the DCC through project coordination, systems development, and stakeholder communications.

Prior to joining Third Plateau, Maddie worked in various roles supporting state, federal, and international government affairs. She has served as an Election Judge at her local precinct, held several program management roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, and worked in Sweden conducting global electoral integrity trainings and research. Maddie has a bachelor’s from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (go Badgers) and master’s from the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies.

Maddie enjoys all the outdoor perks of living in Colorado and is frequently planning her next weekend getaway. When not traveling, she teaches dance classes and can be found working on her latest writing project or ordering takeout with her partner.

Jackie (she/her) partners with philanthropists and nonprofits to refine strategies, strengthen organizations, and help our communities thrive. With a background in the arts and nonprofit development, she loves supporting creative organizations as they build capacity to reach the next level. In her current role, she is proud to work with philanthropists across a variety of impact areas that span arts and culture, asset building, environment, social services, and more.

Jackie has nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropy ecosystem. Prior to joining Third Plateau, she worked as a nonprofit consultant, leader, and staff member building vision and capacity, developing organizational plans and budgets, and fundraising for a variety of Bay Area organizations.

She graduated with the highest honors in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and studied Spanish while living in Mexico City. She is an alum of the Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Art of Leadership program, and has served as a grants panelist with the San Francisco Arts Commission and the California Arts Council. In her free time, you can find Jackie biking around San Francisco with her family, conducting vegetarian cooking experiments, and checking out the latest gallery shows and playground upgrades around the Bay Area.

Tamari (she/her) provides research and analysis, grants management, and operational support for the individuals, families, and foundations we work with. She brings a public health lens to her work to illuminate the social, economic, and cultural factors underlying systemic community challenges.

Tamari has over a decade of nonprofit experience in advocacy, public education, and community building. Prior to joining Third Plateau, she was Associate Director of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program at the Institute on Aging, where she implemented award-winning local and national initiatives across the public and private sectors to improve responses to elder abuse and train professionals in identifying and preventing abuse. She also worked at the American Cancer Society and AARP promoting strategic partnerships and mobilizing communities to expand awareness and advance policy.

She has an M.P.H with an emphasis on Aging and Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, and dual B.S. degrees in Human Development and Mathematics from the University of California, Davis. In her free time, she loves to bake—specifically sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. She also enjoys attending live theater as a member of SF Broadway, hiking the beautiful Bay Area outdoors, and traveling to bucket list destinations whenever she has the chance.

Erin Hellthaler (she/her) is a Vice President and Executive Coach at Third Plateau, where she partners with clients to develop bold and data-backed strategies and implementation roadmaps to accelerate their impact. Erin has led numerous strategic planning, business planning, development strategy, and philanthropic strategy engagements with organizations such as Teach Access, &Mother, New Pluralists Collective, Give Us the Floor, and Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.

With 15 years of experience in the social sector, she cares deeply about systems-level change. Prior to joining Third Plateau, Erin served in multiple leadership roles with Teach For America – Connecticut, where she developed expertise in building and leading high performing teams, nonprofit fundraising, managing organizational performance, strategic planning, board management, business operations, and staff and organizational learning.

Erin holds a B.A. in Political Science, Italian Cultural and Literary Studies from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. from the University of Edinburgh Business School, with a special concentration in entrepreneurship and innovation. She completed executive coach training through the Co-Active Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. Erin lives in mid-coast Maine with her husband and daughter. She spends weekends on the trail, in the garden, or on the water and is always up for a lively game night with friends.