SUSAN KLEINMAN
Founder and CEO

Susan has over two decades of experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. As a consultant, Susan helps nonprofit clients to strengthen their foundation, corporate, and government fundraising efforts. Before launching Susan Kleinman Wallis Consulting in 2011, Susan spent five years at Team-Up for Youth (now CoachingCorps), where she served as Senior Program Officer and as Program Director for Evaluation and Policy. Prior to that, Susan spent six years as Coordinator of The San Francisco Foundation's Koshland Civic Unity Program, where she was responsible for grant making as well as providing technical assistance to grantees in fundraising, program development, and strategic planning. Susan received a Master's Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and a B.A. in Women's Studies from Wesleyan University.

CYNTHIA OLMSTEAD
Associate ​

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​Cynthia has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years, primarily in environmental conservation with additional work in education, community building, and business development. Her roles have ranged from leading conservation organizations to working on multi-stakeholder partnerships on regional and state levels. She has also coordinated development, communications, marketing, and financial management for a variety of nonprofits and business development projects. In all of these roles, grant writing was a major part of her work in securing short- and long-term funding. Cynthia received a B.S. and M.S. in Forest Management from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Forest Economics and Policy from University of Florida: Gainesville.

      PATRICIA BENTSON
       Senior Vice President

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Pat has worked in fundraising, nonprofit administration, communications, and publishing in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years. Previously, Pat served as Director of Leonardo/The International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology, an international nonprofit at the heart of the ​art/science community of artists, scientists, educators, and theorists. Her roles have encompassed nonprofit management, strategic planning, and financial oversight; communications and fundraising; and program development. She also served on the editorial team of scholarly, peer-reviewed art/science journals and books published by the MIT Press, including as Managing Editor of Leonardo Music Journal. Pat holds a B.S. in Journalism / Photojournalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she also studied Environmental Design.

KAT COVELL
Associate ​

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​Kat has spent the last two decades writing fundraising and educational content for documentaries, museums, and other educational outlets. She began her career as a filmmaker, writing grants and nonfiction narratives for programs broadcast on PBS and National Geographic Channel, among others. At the museum design firm Gallagher & Associates, Kat led content development, writing, and strategy for global projects, including the Truman Presidential Library, the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum, and the Changbai Natural History Museum. She is now thrilled to help nonprofits grow their reach, engage their funders, and refine their messaging. Kat has a B.A. in English Literature and Film Production from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.