Preventing and Mitigating Financial Mismanagement and Fraud
Financial mismanagement or situations involving fraud can be a challenge for foundation staff. While every situation is unique, there are general steps foundation staff can take to prevent or navigate the situation. During this program, industry experts and practitioners will walk through the “Guide to Fiscal Stewardship” resource, sharing information to help participants understand and identify different types of financial mismanagement and fraud and build knowledge on risk management procedures in foundation operations and grantmaking.
Presenters will share their perspectives on how these situations can be handled and will be available for a robust question-and-answer period with the audience following the formal presentation.
Speakers
Dr. Brittany Kienker Ph.D., Consultant, CMF Knowledge Insights Expert in Residence, Council of Michigan Foundations
Dr. Brittany Kienker is Principal and Owner of Kienker Consulting LLC and Knowledge Insights Expert in Residence at the Council of Michigan Foundation (CMF), with more than 15 years of experience in foundations, nonprofits, and higher education. She leads Ask CMF, answering hundreds of questions every year from grantmaking organizations across the state of Michigan and beyond. In her roles with CMF and Kienker Consulting, Brittany is a sought-after expert and advisor to foundations, philanthropy serving organizations, consultants, and researchers nationally. She regularly develops cutting-edge educational resources and presentations designed for grantmakers, in addition to generating the annual Midwest Grantmaker Salary Survey Report. Brittany is Co-Lead Researcher for the National Study on Donor Advised Funds and Co-Director of the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC). She is a full member of the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers and holds a BoardSource Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting. She received her Ph.D. from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Kathy Pope, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Fremont Area Community Foundation
Kathy Pope is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Fremont Area Community Foundation. She provides oversight for accounting, investments, human resources, and information technology. She has served in the nonprofit sector for 22 years, 18 years of which are in the community foundation field. She also has 9 years of experience in public accounting and holds the CPA designation. Kathy currently serves on the Newaygo County Area Promise board and the Gerber Federal Credit Union board as Treasurer. She served on the Audit Committee for Council of Michigan Foundations, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce board as Treasurer, and the United Way of the Lakeshore’s Newaygo Community Investment Panel. She was a Girl Scout Leader and was a member of the Fremont Rotary Club and has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. She is active with her church, and lives in Newaygo with her daughter.
With a background in securities law, private equity and mergers & acquisitions, Jennifer utilizes her corporate law and governance skills to assist family and corporate foundations, community foundations, public charities, regional associations, trade and labor associations, chambers of commerce, religious organizations and other tax-exempt organizations as well as impact investors, impact funds, and social enterprises, in all aspects of their business.
Amanda Fletcher, Forensic Accounting Senior Manager, Plante & Moran, PLLC
Amanda is a senior manager with Plante Moran’s forensic accounting services group, specializing in providing forensic investigations, data analytics, and internal control analyses. She has participated in interviews, performed financial analyses, conducted investigative research, and reviewed accounting records for investigations across a variety of industries, resulting in the identification of millions in losses due to asset misappropriation. Amanda has helped organizations prepare economic loss claims that are filed with insurance companies resulting from employee fraud or white-collar crime. Amanda has also testified in court regarding forensic accounting findings.
Christina Hardy, Partner, Plante & Moran, PLLC
With more than 20 years of accounting, auditing, and tax experience, Christina Hardy advises not-for-profits on the many financial aspects of their organization so they can move the needle on their missions. With expertise in NFPs, Single Audit, and Form 990, she specializes in foundations, human services organizations, economic development organizations, and grant-funded organizations. She is also Plante Moran’s Greater Michigan not-for-profit leader, a member of the firm’s not-for-profit quality review group, and one of the firm’s Women in Leadership champions. Christina’s clients appreciate that she sincerely cares about their missions and is why she joined this profession. She chose the not-for-profit industry as her primary focus to work with organizations that are having a direct impact on their communities. Christina enjoys seeing the improvements clients make in society and learning about their history and mission throughout the relationship. This knowledge allows her to better serve them as a business partner since she understands their background and their goals. Christina has previously been a speaker on not-for-profit-related topics for the MICPA and CMF. She’s a member of the AICPA and the MICPA, past board chair of United Way of Southwest Michigan and current board member of Berrien Community Foundation. Business Direct Weekly recognized Christina as one of Western Michigan’s “Business Leaders Under 40”. She received her B.A. in accounting from Michigan State University.
This program is part of the Midwest Partnership Series, a collaboration between IPA, Council of Michigan Foundations, Philanthropy Missouri, and Philanthropy Ohio.
