Andrea Proulx Buinicki
Director of Development
Andrea Proulx Buinicki founded Giving Focus, a philanthropy consulting firm, in 2011 in order to make the world a more compassionate place. She coaches, guides, and consults nonprofit organizations and churches seeking to improve leadership and strategy, fundraising, marketing and communications.
Andrea was nominated as one of the “Influential Women of Northwest Indiana” (2014) and recognized as one of “Northwest Indiana’s 20 under 40” by The Times newspaper BUSINESS Magazine (2012). She and her family live in Valparaiso, IN. Andrea currently serves as a President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, IN Northwest Chapter; board member for Opportunity Enterprises; and pastoral council member for Queen of All Saints Catholic Parish.
Artist
Diego Gonzalez is a Midwest artist traditional trained at the Herron school of art and Design influenced by graffiti art and illustration. With over 12 years experience as a custom painter his work has been featured in the book: Airbrush How-to with Mickey Harris(sold Nationwide) ,magazines, Airbrush Action online, and large events like the Chicago C2E2 Comic convention and more.
Heather Augustyn
Author
Heather Augustyn is a journalist and writing teacher living in Chesterton, Ind., one hour outside of Chicago. The author of Ska: An Oral History, McFarland, 2010, with a foreword by Cedella Marley which was nominated for the ARSC Award for Excellence; Don Drummond: The Genius and Tragedy of the World’s Greatest Trombonist, McFarland, 2013, with a foreword by Delfeayo Marsalis; Ska: The Rhythm of Liberation, Rowman & Littlefield, 2013; and Songbirds: Pioneering Women in Jamaican Music, Half Pint Press, 2014. Feature articles on Augustyn’s work have appeared in the Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica Observer, The Onion’s A/V Club, and Caribbean Beat Magazine, among dozens of others. She has been co-host of Radio M on WBEZ-FM, Chicago’s NPR station with Tony Sarabia; spoke on NPR’s Sound Opinions; she appeared on “Smile Jamaica” in Kingston, Jamaica on RJR-TV, speaking about her book Songbirds.
Spokesperson
Lloyd Reeb was a successful real estate developer and owner of luxury senior housing facilities in 1993 when his idea of success changed dramatically and his life’s focus shifted to second-half significance. He spends most of his time now speaking and leading workshops around the world, moderating Halftime Institute events and coaching men and women through the Halftime journey. Lloyd, also directs the Halftime Couples Institute, with his wife, Linda.
Lloyd is the author of The Second Half: Real Stories, Real Adventures, Real Significance, a coffee table book packed with stories of people making a difference in their second half. His first book, From Success to Significance: When the Pursuit of Success Isn’t Enough, is a roadmap for mid-life transition. He co-authored Unlimited Partnership: Igniting a Marketplace Leader’s Journey to Significance, a guide to partnering with non-profit leaders.
Private Wealth Advisor
Todd E. Larson, Private Wealth Advisor, Business Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner; Owner, of Larson, Reynolds and Associates, A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. A graduate of Purdue University, Todd joined Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in 1997 (then American Express Financial Advisors). Todd, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area had lived in Fort Wayne for only two years and knew few people when he joined the firm.
As a side hobby, Todd leads Advisor Basics School, a training program for Ameriprise Advisors. Hundreds of Advisors have taken Todd’s six month class which uses biblical concepts and principals for working with clients. Todd donates all of the proceeds of this class to As Our Own. In July of 2013, Todd spent 8 days in India working with As Our Own - a group that rescues the daughters of sex slaves and raises them as daughters. They provide adoption level care to orphans.