FOUNDER + PRESIDENT

Erica Bittner (she/her) founded Artistic Fundraising Group in 2018 after many years of working in development at organizations such as the Auditorium Theatre, CHIRP Radio, and Redmoon Theater. Within her fifteen years of work in fundraising, she has managed rigorous grant programs for organizations nationwide, designed and led major fundraising campaigns, served as interim executive leadership in development, and secured millions in new sources of revenue for Chicago's nonprofit sector. She has served as a panelist for the DCASE CityArts and NEA Creative Forces grant programs. For the Chicago Community Trust and MacArthur Foundation’s Press Forward grant program, as well as the DCASE CityArts grant program, she designed and led the AFG team in consulting initiatives to provide coaching to first-time applicants while advising funder teams on equitable grantmaking practices. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA), a certificate in Acting Shakespeare from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and an MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College. In addition to her work in fundraising, Erica is a professional actor whose work can be found on The Chi (Showtime), Chicago Fire (NBC), Soundtrack (Netflix), and on stages throughout Chicago and beyond. She serves as an adjunct professor at CCPA and is at work on her first novel.

VICE PRESIDENT

Cate Gillespie (she/her) is proud to be ensconced in the arts in Chicago in a variety of ways, including as a teaching artist and development professional. Cate has more than fifteen years’ experience working in arts administration and development for various performing arts and arts education organizations, including as Managing Director and Grants Manager at The Viola Project, along with many years as a freelance development professional for organizations in Chicago and Michigan. She holds a certificate in Grant Writing from DePaul University, has completed professional development in Fundraising and Marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, and has refined her management skills in professional development with The Management Center, among many others. Also educated in musical theatre at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, Cate works as a teaching artist and dialect coach for professional theatres throughout Chicagoland. She is passionate about finding creative ways for small arts organizations to expand their reach and deepen their impact.

PROJECT MANAGER AND SENIOR CONSULTANT

Karen Keagle (she/her) has worked in fundraising for over 20 years in the arts, education, human services and the environment. She has enjoyed working with theater, music and dance companies in the Midwest and on the East Coast and is delighted to join AFG to support arts organizations in Chicago. Karen received a Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of French from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration from Virginia Tech.

PROJECT MANAGER AND SENIOR CONSULTANT

Tamara Winters (she/her) is a theatre creator and fundraiser for the arts with more than 17 years of experience in institutional giving, individual giving, annual fund drives, and special events at organizations with budgets from $100,000 to $6 million. Tamara served for 9 seasons as Associate Artistic Director of Know Theatre of Cincinnati, where she led communications and fundraising strategies and directed 15 new works. Previously, Tamara served as Institutional Giving Associate for New York's Symphony Space, Events Coordinator for Arts/West in Athens, OH, and Development Associate for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Her creative work has been seen at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, New York Madness, Fringe NYC, Dixon Place, Cherry Lane Theatre, The Tank, The New Ohio, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Ovation Theatre, Ohio Valley Summer Theatre, and ARTS/West.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Claire Bauman (she/her) is a Chicago-based director, choreographer and grant writer. She brings her experience from all sides of the artistic table to inform her work as an arts administrator. She has worked with Steep Theatre, Red Tape Theatre, Interrobang Theatre Project, Wender Collective (formerly Walkabout Theater), Metal Shop Performance Lab, Rhinofest, and Broken Nose Collective among others. Claire has participated in DirectorsLabChicago, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Observership Program, and Hangar Theatre's Directing Apprenticeship. Claire is currently pursuing her MFA in Directing at Northwestern University. She earned her BA from Vassar College and further trained at the Moscow Art Theater School.

CONSULTANT

Kayleigh Dudevoir is thrilled to be part of the AFG team. Dudevoir is the Principal and Major Gifts Officer of Cranbrook Educational Community, a legendary space for art, science, history, and learning. Prior to working at Cranbrook, Dudevoir was the Associate Director of Individual Giving for PAWS Chicago, the Midwest's largest No Kill shelter, and currently sits on their fundraising board. Her background in arts fundraising began with work for Bella Voce, the Newberry Consort, the Chicago Arts Orchestra, and the Chicago Chamber Choir, serving in varied roles from grant writer to Executive Director. From 2018-2021, Dudevoir was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's world-class Development team, managing high-level gifts for their most exclusive donor society, the Governing Members. Dudevoir graduated with honors from Boston College where she founded and directed The Madrigal Singers of Boston College, the university’s only early music vocal group. Former President of the ensemble, Dudevoir wrote and arranged original pieces for the Madrigal Singers but chose to make her career in arts management. She has experience in executive management, fundraising, and marketing in the arts and has worked with choral ensembles, chamber groups, orchestras, and theatre companies. Dudevoir was a member of the 2014 League of American Orchestras’ elite Essentials of Orchestra Management program. In 2015, Dudevoir obtained her Master of Performing Arts Management from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where she worked with arts executives from the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and League of American Orchestras. 

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Kate Galvin (she/her) is an award-winning theater director with executive experience in nonprofit management. She is the former Artistic Director of Constellation Stage & Screen in Bloomington, IN, which was created through a merger in 2022 to become Bloomington’s largest arts organization. A Philadelphia native, she served as Casting Director/Assistant to the Producing Artistic Director at the Walnut Street Theatre for 7 years and Associate Producer for 11th Hour Theatre Company for 5 years. Kate is Barrymore Award-winning director of both musicals and plays, and has a passion for new musical development. Regional directing credits include 11th Hour Theatre Company, Fulton Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, Portland Stage, Walnut Street Theatre, Weston Theater Company and others. She is a graduate of NYU (Vocal Performance - Musical Theater) and Goldsmiths - University of London (Producing for Musical Theater). www.kategalvin.com @kategalvinconsulting

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Jessica Leyva (she/her) is a professional dance artist, non-profit executive administrator and freelance grant writer based in Chicago, IL. Earning a BFA from the University of California, Irvine, she quickly established herself as a leader in the local field of cultural development as a grant writer, Institutional Giving Manager at PARA.MAR Dance Theatre and as Executive Director of Chicago Dance Crash. A classically trained ballerina and contemporary dance artist, Jessica is also an active practitioner in Chicago’s street dance and popping community and has been known to grace the Crash stage when called upon. She has placed in multiple national and international popping and animation competition brackets including Out of the Shadows (Chicago), Lords of the Land (Cleveland) and Unimate (Los Angeles) and is proud to represent Chicana women in popping and arts leadership.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Ashley's met and learned from community in all corners of the world and contributed to a variety of organizations, including the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Public Library, Dill Pickle Food Co-op, Giant Squid Group, Latin American Language Center, Merit School of Music, Mutt Jackson, and Tree House Humane Society. One of her greatest joys is assisting clients in developing their communication systems and processes to support their growth and advance their missions. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys biking along Lake Shore Drive, cooking, and spending time with her senior cat, Morena, affectionately known as 'm'a old lady.'

CONSULTANT

Ian McLeland (he/him) was the development director in a one-person development shop for years, where he wrote grant applications, assembled fund appeals, maintained donor relationships, and courted major gifts from individuals and institutions. His development work supported the doubling of that organization's budget over a five-year term. Now, he couldn't be more thrilled to join the team at Artistic Fundraising Group to help support our clients' growth. Ian is an actor and writer based in Chicago and Boston. He is an artistic ensemble member with Midsommer Flight, and has been seen on stages in Chicagoland including Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Writers Theatre, The Lyric Opera, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Teatro Vista, and Strawdog.

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Ellen Morris Palermo (she/her) is a music director, teaching artist, and development specialist. Ellen began her development experience at the Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación in Pennsylvania and while there, expanded their grants funding by 15% and increased annual giving by 25%. As a musician, she has frequently performed at Writers Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Marriott Theatre, and Boho Theatre, and has taught at the Wilmette Park District, Evanston Children’s Choir, and Music Institute of Chicago. Ellen has her MS in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and her BM in Music Direction and Piano from Northwestern University.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Jenna Mrotek (she/her) is a nonprofit professional based in Chicago, Illinois, with experience at organizations supporting the arts, environment, and gender equity across the Midwest. She enjoys using her writing to translate complex issues and inspire support from a broad variety of audiences. In her free time, she also enjoys reading and rollerblading along Lake Michigan. Jenna received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Studies, with a certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Maddie Powell (she/her) is an actor, writer, and arts administrator specializing in development. In addition to training with development professionals at acclaimed arts institutions like Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Playwrights Horizons, Maddie served as the development director for two student-run organizations during undergrad. She recently graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in English and Theatre, as well as a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. As an actor, Maddie has frequented the Chicago storefront scene, appearing onstage with groups including Theater Wit, Oil Lamp Theater, and Improv Playhouse.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING CONSULTANT

Madeline Roth-Scofield (she/her) has worked to positively impact her community through her career in nonprofit fundraising. She has worked in arts, culture, and education-focused organizations and brings a wealth of experience combining vibrant storytelling and data analytics to create compelling grants and high-achieving fundraising campaigns. Madeline has experience in institutional giving, annual fund campaigns, membership programs, donor stewardship and relations, and database management. Madeline is a proud graduate of Chapman University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History

BUSINESS MANAGER

Lesley Swanson (she/her) brings over 16 years of experience in Arts Management and Arts Education. Swanson has planned and executed productions in the non-profit sector for television, theater, and orchestra. She has also directed schools of dance, drama, and music.

Swanson earned a MM in flute performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and a BM from Grand Valley State University. She owns a private studio in the City of Chicago where she teaches flute students of all ages. Active in Chicago’s new music scene, her dynamic flute playing can be heard with the Chicago Composers Orchestra.

Swanson has proven herself to be a powerful advocate for women’s rights. As an arts leader, she is committed to breaking down barriers and promoting pay equity in the performing arts, as well as expanding opportunities for women, BIPOC and LGBTQIA artists.

CONSULTANT

Skyler Schrempp (she/her) is a grant writer and novelist from Chicago. Her work at AFG is informed by many years of experience in the Chicago theatre and non-profit scene. She has worked as a costume designer, actor, director, and theatre teacher and she has extensive experience in arts non-profit management and fundraising. Her first novel Three Strike Summer (Simon and Schuster) received four starred reviews and was listed on several “best of” lists including Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best, and Horn Book Fanfare 2022 Booklist. It was also an official Illinois Reads selection, winner of the Chicago Public Library’s mock Newberry, a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Awards, and the recipient of a Judy Lopez Memorial Honor. Skyler received her undergrad degree from Hampshire College and her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Art.

OPERATIONS AND PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE

Olivia Zapater (she/her) is a Chicago-based stage manager. Her experience includes credits at Paramount Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Lookingglass Theatre. Olivia graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre and Psychology, with a concentration in Theatre Management. At Northwestern, she served as the Executive Director of Seesaw Theatre and coordinated Seesaw’s third annual Inclusive Theatre Festival conference for accessibility in the arts. She is delighted to be a part of the AFG team.