Staff

We're Better Together

GrantStation’s mission is to create a civil society by assisting the nonprofit sector in its quest to build healthy and effective communities. Healthy and effective communities flourish when they are inclusive, diverse, and equitable. GrantStation empowers its employees to bring their whole, authentic selves to work. We advance the growth of a civil society by respecting the unique dignity of each individual.


Cynthia

Cynthia M. Adams 
Founder & Corporate Advisor

Cynthia Adams has been dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations identify and secure the funding they need to do their good work for well over 45 years. Cynthia founded GrantStation because she believes that grantseeking requires a thorough understanding of the funders and sound knowledge of the philanthropic playing field. Her life's work has been to level that playing field and create opportunities for all nonprofit organizations, regardless of size or geographic location, to secure grant support.

Cynthia serves on the Board of Directors of the Social Enterprise Alliance, an organization that strives to place the interests of people and the planet above shareholder gain. She also gives back to her community, serving on the Advisory Board for the Northern Alaska Environmental Center and also doing volunteer work for numerous nonprofits, many of whom serve to protect Alaska's environment.

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Cecily

Cecily Borzillo 
Director of Site Technology 
cecily.borzillo@grantstation.com

Cecily Borzillo is the Director of Site Technology for GrantStation. She oversees the technical side of the GrantStation website. She has a B.A. focused in Oboe Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.

Contact Cecily if you have general feedback about the website. If you have questions on how to use the website, contact info@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.

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Jill

Jill Cochran 
Director of Marketing 
jill.cochran@grantstation.com

Jill assists in all facets of GrantStation’s internal and external marketing programs, including maintaining our social media accounts, managing our Partner Depot program, and assisting in marketing. She has earned a Social Marketing Certification. Jill has worked in libraries and has over 15 years of experience in digital and print media advertising.

Contact Jill to learn more about Partner Depot programs, marketing, or our social media.

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Sid

Sid Davis 
Research Specialist 
sid.davis@grantstation.com

Sid works on updating the funder records in our database. His education is in English and his career has been focused on research, data trafficking, and creative writing. Sid has lived in Central America and was a journalist contributor to the largest English language magazine in the region, researched at an award-winning law firm, and wrote creatively for Hollywood-based Platinum Studios. He resides in Spain.

If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com.

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Tashina Figueroa

Tashina Figueroa 
Program Manager 
tashina.figueroa@grantstation.com

Tashina manages GrantStation's partner programs. She is responsible for the Insider Newsletter Program, Membership Value Program (MVP), Premium Licensing Program (PLP), and Product Referral Program (PRP). Tashina is an innovative leader with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in supporting and developing programs for youth and young adults. As a dedicated mentor and advocate, she is passionate about empowering marginalized populations, particularly focusing on the well-being of young women. Tashina holds a Master's in Executive Leadership from Liberty University, a graduate certification in Management and Leadership, and is a certified advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). She is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional with the National Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Contact Tashina to learn more about partnership opportunities.

Jasmine

Jasmine Foster 
U.S. Research Specialist 
jasmine.foster@grantstation.com

Jasmine is the newest member of the research team. Jasmine works in our U.S. Charitable Giving Database, updating records and researching new funders. In addition to her work at GrantStation, Jasmine has a long history of work in equestrian nonprofits, from matching at-risk youth with horses in her hometown of Montreal to co-founding a mustang adoption organization in New England.

If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com.

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David Gates

David Gates 
Director of Online Education 
david.gates@grantstation.com

David is the Director of Online Education for GrantStation. He holds an M.Ed. and has been working in education for nearly ten years. He has lived abroad in Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, France, and Bulgaria. He has extensive teaching experience and has helped professionals in a variety of industries develop great communication skills. Currently, David resides near Seattle and spends his free time outdoors hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and camping.

Contact David if you have questions about our online education offerings.

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Kerry

Kerry Glauser 
Senior Research Specialist 
kerry.glauser@grantstation.com

Kerry, who lives on the Oregon coast and is a native Oregonian, works in our U.S. Charitable Giving Database, updating records and researching new funders. She holds a B.S. in environmental sciences with a GIScience certificate from Oregon State University, as well as a certificate in court reporting from Las Vegas College.

If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com.

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Diana

Diana Holder 
Senior International Research Specialist & Content Curator 
diana.holder@grantstation.com

Diana works in our International and Canadian Charitable Giving Databases. She also writes the International and Canadian Insider newsletters, manages content for the PathFinder library, and edits The State of Grantseeking™ Reports. Diana holds an M.A. in English, with a specialization in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She has worked in the fields of philanthropy and education and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador.

If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com.

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Ellen Mowrer

Ellen Mowrer 
Chief Executive Officer 
ellen.mowrer@grantstation.com

Ellen works with both clients and the GrantStation team in program adoption and management. In addition, she is responsible for marketing, promotions, finances, administration, and The State of Grantseeking™ Survey and Reports.

Ellen lives in Lancaster, PA, and is a board member emeritus for Music for Everyone, an organization that cultivates the power of music for education and community building. While a board member, she and her husband painted a piano each year for Keys for the City, an initiative that places pianos in public spaces for public use. She is active in the fight against puppy mills, supporting A Tail To Tell, a mill-survivor rescue, foster, and adoption organization, with four rescues of her own.

Contact Ellen to learn more about our business, programs, marketing, and surveys.

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Kevin

Kevin Peters 
Vice President of Research 
kevin.peters@grantstation.com

Kevin works in our U.S. Charitable Giving Database and manages the information GrantStation provides on federal and state funding programs. He also researches federal listings for the GrantStation Insider and contributes to the GS Insights blog. In addition, he serves as a tech backup to GrantStation's technology staff. Kevin lives near the Oregon coast, where he likes long walks on the beaches.

If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com.

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David Preis

David Preis 
Senior Vice President of Member Services & Technology 
david.preis@grantstation.com

David serves as the Senior Vice President of Member Services and Technology, managing customer service processes and website functionality. David lives in Minnesota, and his work experience includes Thrivent Financial Services, Best Buy, and North Country Grocery Cooperative. He is involved with voter issues and works for Minneapolis elections. He also plays with various local bands, including Brass Solidarity.

Contact David if you have general feedback about the website. If you have questions on how to use the website, contact info@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.

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Alice

Alice Ruhnke 
President 
alice.ruhnke@grantstation.com

Alice is the President of GrantStation. She joined the team after 20 years of working in or with the nonprofit community. In the trenches, she raised over $45 million and worked with hundreds of organizations to help them increase their capacity to raise funds. Alice is the organization's content expert and is responsible for online education, partnership development, and working with the talented GrantStation staff to provide quality resources to help the nonprofit community secure funding. Alice received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Relations and Master of Arts degree in Education/Counseling Psychology from the University of Connecticut. In August 2013, she completed a Certificate Program in Appreciative Inquiry from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management.

Contact Alice to discuss partnering with GrantStation or advancing the work of the nonprofit sector.

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Ashlyn

Ashlyn Simmons 
Director of International Research 
ashlyn.simmons@grantstation.com

Ashlyn works in our International Charitable Giving Database, updating the information and researching new funders. Ashlyn holds an M.A. in English, with a specialization in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and has volunteered and worked for nonprofits in the fields of literacy, early childhood development, and teaching English to speakers of other languages.

If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com.

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Jeremy

Jeremy Smith 
Director of Communications Technology 
jeremy.smith@grantstation.com

Jeremy hosts events for Online Education, administers our Insider newsletters, develops media content for the website, and handles GrantStation's internal and external tech issues. He has a B.A. in Journalism and has volunteered on-air for nonprofit radio stations in Fairbanks, AK.

Contact Jeremy if you have questions regarding any of our Insider mailings or if you are seeking a past webinar recording. 

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Nancy

Nancy Vargo 
Member Service Representative 
nancy.vargo@grantstation.com

If you're already a Member or considering Membership, Nancy is ready to answer your calls and emails about GrantStation! Nancy is highly specialized in project management coordination, and her work experience also includes data analytics and reporting support for Prudential. She is excited to bring these skills to GrantStation and its Members. Nancy lives in Minnesota, has volunteered for school programs, and held various church community positions. Over the years, she has enjoyed hand-packing meals at Feed My Starving Children.

If you have questions about using the website or any other service concerns, contact Nancy at info@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.

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Juliet

Juliet Vile 
Vice President of Operations 
juliet.vile@grantstation.com

Juliet manages human resources, administrative activities, and financial processes for GrantStation. She also works on The State of Grantseeking™ Survey and Reports. Juliet holds an M.Ed. and has over fifteen years of experience working for nonprofits focused on improving the education of children and adults. Juliet lives in Roanoke, VA, and serves the local schools and swimming community.

Contact Juliet to learn more about job opportunities with GrantStation and The State of Grantseeking™ Survey and Reports.

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