Good Works Team
Good Works Grant Writing’s team of grant writing professionals has a combined 300+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector.
The Good Works Team includes:
BETHANY TAYLOR, MNpS
President
Early in her career, Bethany Taylor realized that volunteering on the weekends alone did not give her the personal satisfaction she was seeking, so she left her job in the entertainment industry and made the switch to the nonprofit sector – and she has never looked back. For more than 20 years now, Bethany has worked as a fundraiser, starting as a major gifts officer for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, later heading up development for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University, and then serving as the Chief Development Officer for Make-A-Wish® Arizona. In 2011, Bethany launched Good Works Grant Writing as a way to support a variety of nonprofits in their fundraising endeavors. She feels blessed to have had the opportunity to work with dozens of nonprofits since launching the company, helping them fuel their GOOD WORKS in the community. Over the course of her career, Bethany has secured more than $40 million in philanthropic giving, including more than $25 million in corporate and foundation grants.
Education:
Masters in Nonprofit Studies, Arizona State University
Certificate in Fundraising, University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science, Communications, University of Tennessee
Bachelor of Arts, History, University of Tennessee
COLLIN CUNNINGHAM, MPP
Vice President of Grant Services
Serving clients in human services, youth development, and the arts, Collin has been an integral part of the Good Works Grant Writing team since 2018. As a former executive director of a small Arizona nonprofit, she brings comprehensive expertise in nonprofit management, leveraging her experience to support and strengthen the fundraising strategies of our nonprofit clients. She has strong knowledge of the local funding landscape and helps advise our grant writing staff on the most successful ways to demonstrate and align our clients’ impacts with funders’ interests. Collin’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Minnesota. She got her start in the Arizona nonprofit sector 15 years ago through the AmeriCorps program.
Education:
Master of Public Policy, University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, St. Olaf College
MICHELLE THOMAS, MBA
Director of Grant Services
With more than 20 years of work experience in the nonprofit sector, Michelle Thomas has an extensive knowledge of grant writing, reporting, database management, and program quality assurance. Michelle has worked in multiple sectors of the nonprofit world including homelessness, behavioral health, and disability services. Michelle joined the Good Works Grant Writing team in 2021 with an aim to support multiple nonprofits in achieving their goals. Michelle was promoted to Director of Grant Services in April 2025.
Education:
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science, Family Resources and Human Development, Arizona State University
ASU Lodestar Center’s Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy
KIM DAVIS
Grants Manager
Kim Davis began her nonprofit career with The Phoenix Symphony in 2005, working as an artistic administrator and managing various music education and community engagement programs for over five years. Her time with the symphony gave Kim a front-row seat to witness the power and importance of grant-funded programming. Most recently, Kim worked extensively as a freelance copywriter for a digital media company, focusing on publishing uplifting, positive news stories. Kim serves her local community through volunteer youth work and is delighted to be part of the Good Works Team, as of June 2024. Recognizing her talent, skill, and resourcefulness, Kim was promoted to Senior Grant Specialist in March 2025, then to Grants Manager in July 2025.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education, Grand Canyon University
K-12 Music Education Endorsement Certification
PATRICK DE LEON, MFA
Grants Manager
Patrick De Leon is a writer, educator, and interdisciplinary artist whose career lives at the intersection of community and craft. For more than a decade, he has partnered with nonprofits in Phoenix and beyond, advancing youth development, education, and the arts with a steady commitment to widening access for underrepresented communities. Patrick earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Arizona State University, where he also completed a BA in English with a minor in Art History. His creative practices (spanning poetry, video, printmaking, and photography) trace queer identity, cultural memory, and lineage. Patrick’s editorial and literary leadership includes service as Art & Web Editor of Hayden’s Ferry Review and fellowships from the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and ASU’s Writing Programs. In August 2025, Patrick joined the Good Works Team as a Grants Manager. He brings a storyteller’s precision, an editor’s rigor, and a community-rooted lens—transforming mission, data, and lived experience into persuasive, funder-ready narratives that move resources where they matter.
Education:
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts in English, Arizona State University
Minor in Art History, Arizona State University
ANGIE HADDAD
Grants Manager
With more than seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Angie Haddad is equipped with a diverse range of knowledge and skills related to grant writing, fundraising, financial management, and marketing operations. She recently served as the Assistant Executive Director of Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona, and before her 2017 arrival in Arizona, Angie worked with an Atlanta nonproft as a Public Relations/Marketing Consultant. In this role, Angie procured major gifts from Atlanta-based Wellstar Hospital, Allstate Insurance, TEGNA – 11Alive News, and Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, to host awareness programs on human trafficking, veterans’ support, emergency preparedness, teen driver safety, and mental health. Joining the Good Works Team in April 2023, Angie finds working in the nonprofit sector to be a way to “pay it forward.” As a parent of an adult son with special needs, she understands the important work nonprofits do for our community members by bringing various people together in compassionate, empowering, and supportive ways.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism & Mass Communications, The University of South Carolina
Master’s Level classes in Education and Psychology (non-degree seeking), The College of Charleston, SC
Certified in First Aid, CPR, Article 9 Training
LINDSAY HINTZE, MSW
Grants Manager
From a young age, Lindsay Hintze’s professional ambitions centered around one goal –engaging in work that could make a difference for communities in need. This desire drove her to pursue a Masters in Social Work, with a focus on non-profit administration, policy, and community-based work. After internships at Child and Family Resources, the Diane Halle Center for Family Justice, and the O’Connor House, as well as a job at the Girls Scouts, Lindsay became drawn to fundraising as she saw firsthand how it can strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. Lindsay was thrilled to join Good Works Grant Writing in 2013, where she has found profound personal and professional fulfillment in working on behalf of many extraordinary non-profits. She remains inspired by their impact.
Education:
Master of Social Work, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Arizona State University
LISA HONEBRINK
Grants Manager
For more than 30 years, Lisa Honebrink has been a professional writer, editor, and communications consultant in Arizona, published in The Arizona Republic, PHOENIX magazine, and Arizona Highways. Previously Lisa served as speechwriter for the Phoenix Mayor and as communications manager for several City of Phoenix departments, including Housing, Human Services, Equal Opportunity, and Historic Preservation, and has 10 years of experience in communications for health care companies and a health care foundation. Lisa co-authored a book, Phoenix Television, published in 2019 with the first year’s royalties benefiting a local nonprofit. Out of all the hats she has worn in her career, writing grants that help fund nonprofits is her favorite, and she joined Good Works in 2021.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, English and Communications, Bemidji State University
EMILY KIRKLAND
Grants Manager
With more than a decade of experience in communications, marketing, and nonprofit management, Emily Kirkland brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for social impact to her role as Grants Manager at Good Works Grant Writing, a position she began in January 2025. Emily started her career working with nonprofits in New England, where she focused on environmental protection and clean energy advocacy, using her skills in communications to raise awareness and drive change on critical issues. In 2017, she relocated to Phoenix with her husband, and soon became deeply involved in the local nonprofit scene. She served as Co-Director and then Executive Director of Progress Arizona, where she played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s scope and amplifying its influence on statewide policy issues. During her time at Progress Arizona, Emily led efforts that not only raised the organization’s profile but also significantly advanced its mission of promoting progressive values and social justice. Emily has also collaborated with Arizona labor unions and various community organizations, leveraging her marketing and communications expertise to support grassroots initiatives and drive meaningful change. Now at Good Works, Emily is excited to bring her extensive experience in storytelling and fundraising to help secure vital resources for the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about using her skills to support organizations that are making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Environmental Studies, Brown University
ATLAS PILLAR
Grants Manager / Social Media Manager
After joining the Good Works Team in 2017 as an intern, Atlas Pillar became a full-time staff member in June 2019. At his university graduation, Atlas was recognized as the “Outstanding Graduate” of the School of Community Resources & Development in the ASU’s Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions. He had also been named as one of the Dean’s Research Scholars for four consecutive years and Co-Chair of the Watts College’s Committee on Diversity & Inclusion for three years. Atlas entered the nonprofit sector to help communities that are unfairly disadvantaged and marginalized. His lifelong love of curiosity-quenching research and thought-inducing writing ultimately inspired him to pursue his nonprofit career in grant writing. In January 2020, Atlas was promoted to Grant Specialist and in September of the same year, Atlas gained a secondary position as Good Works Grant Writing’s Social Media Manager. Recognizing his successful work with numerous Good Works clients, Atlas was promoted to Senior Grant Specialist in January 2022 and Grants Manager in October 2023.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Nonprofit Leadership & Management, Arizona State University
Certificate in Women & Gender Studies, Arizona State University
Certificate in Advanced Grant Writing, Nonprofit Management Institute, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation
MICHAEL MAYHEW, MNpS
Grants Manager
Michael Mayhew arrives at Good Works with nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and nearly that many years in the commercial world of marketing and communications. As a team leader in nonprofit work environments, including serving as the Executive Director of The Arc of Tempe and the Development Director of Phoenix Day, Michael has helped guide strategic development and marketing plans that have enhanced brand image while improving economic and social bottom lines. His years of storytelling experience provide him with a special perspective on the communication needs of nonprofits. Michael is attuned to nonprofits’ emotional, social, and spiritual subtexts, which directly impacts the storytelling that provides the foundation of any successful development effort. Having worked extensively with a variety of human services organizations, Michael is focused on making life equitable for underserved populations and helping those in need.
Education:
Master of Nonprofit Studies, Arizona State University (ASU)
Bachelor of Science in Film and Television Production, Montana State University
Associate in Science in Communications Media, Genesee Community College
Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation
Greater Arizona Professional Mentoring Program, Association of Fundraising Professionals
Small Business Leadership Academy, ASU W.P. Carey School of Business
ELLIOT WINTER, MFA
Grants Manager
Elliot Winter is a dedicated writing professional who is passionate about affecting systemic change through the power of language. While earning their Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Elliot taught students in First-Year Composition courses and Poetry Workshops. They have been recognized for excellence in social justice informed innovation in teaching and writing by the Marshall Chair Award for Radical Pedagogy in Poetics and are a recipient of a Global Fellowship from the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Elliot joined the Good Works Team in May 2021 with the goal to contribute their writing skills to nonprofit efforts that achieve measurable change for marginalized and underrepresented communities. After performing excellent grant management services for Good Works clients, Elliot was promoted to Senior Grant Specialist in January 2023 and to Grants Manager in July 2024.
Education:
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts, English, Arizona State University
JUSTIN ZYLA, MA, MA
Grants Manager
Guided by an unwavering commitment to service and continuous growth, Justin Zyla is a seasoned nonprofit professional with more than a decade of experience. He has secured critical resources for mission-driven organizations through persuasive grant proposals and comprehensive reports, and he has directed programs and led organizations, cultivating a practical understanding of the operational realities faced by nonprofit teams. This insight equips him to craft funding strategies that strengthen financial stability and spur organizational expansion. Justin earned a Master of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a Master of Arts in Political Psychology from Arizona State University, marrying narrative finesse with a sophisticated grasp of human motivation. Now a proud Phoenix resident, he channels his expertise to Good Works Grant Writing, empowering colleagues and community partners to achieve ambitious goals. Justin joined the Good Works Team in May 2025.
Education:
Master of Arts in English, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Master of Arts in Political Psychology, Arizona State University
JENNY BICKFORD
Prospect Research Manager
Joining the Good Works Team in February 2025 as Prospect Research Manager, Jenny Bickford brings more than 30 years of dedicated experience in the nonprofit sector. Her career began in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, where she honed her skills in event planning, annual fund management, major gifts fundraising, and development communications for a range of social service nonprofits. Throughout her extensive journey, Jenny cultivated a deep understanding of nonprofit operations, which ultimately led her to specialize in foundation fundraising. In 2000, Jenny transitioned to the Office of Foundation Relations at Arizona State University (ASU), where she learned the Foundation Relations ropes. She would spend the next 24 years forging and nurturing critical relationships with both local and national foundations at ASU, Penn State, and UC Davis. Her work supported these institutions’ ambitious research and programmatic initiatives, contributing to their growth and success. After a fulfilling career, Jenny retired from full-time work in 2024 yet continues to share her expertise and passion for nonprofit advancement through her new role at Good Works Grant Writing.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, English, Arizona State University
ANNALEEZ FISHKIND
Senior Grant Specialist
An Arizona native and musician with a decade of experience in the local folk scene, Annaleez Fishkind joined the Good Works Team in 2022 as a Grant Specialist. As an undergraduate, Annaleez completed an Interdisciplinary degree marrying Business and Ethics and graduated with a Master of Technical Communication in May 2022. While attending ASU, she joined the Next Generation Service Corps to serve communities experiencing hardship, focusing her efforts on combating rates of sexual and domestic violence on college campuses. With four years of experience working in the education sector, Annaleez has collaborated with nonprofits such as Stand for Children and Assistance League of Phoenix to provide resources to underserved youth across the West Valley. As a member of the Good Works Team, Annaleez invokes her firm belief in the ability to heal and strengthen communities through the arts and sees grant management as a method to bolster these efforts. In October 2024, Annaleez was promoted to Senior Grant Specialist.
Education:
Master of Science in Technical Communication, Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Arizona State University
Certificate in Cross-Sector Collaboration, Arizona State University
HANNAH MAZYCK
Grant Specialist
Hannah Mazyck was first inspired to pursue work in the nonprofit sector during an international humanitarian trip, which ignited a desire to find ways to serve those in her local community, as well. Over the last seven years, Hannah has collaborated with a variety of local and international nonprofits, including Care for Life Africa, Cache Valley English Language Center, Arizona Refugee Center, and Hope Arising. Her roles in these organizations have included: ESL Teacher, Project Research & Development, and Social Media Specialist. After joining the Good Works Team as an Intern in June 2024, Hannah was promoted to Grant Specialist in August 2024. Hannah brings her passion for serving others and expertise in interpersonal and organizational communication to support our clients’ various initiatives. Having lived a fortunate and blessed life, she is dedicated to making a positive impact on communities worldwide.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Global Communication, Utah State University
SYDNEY ROMAGNOLO
Grant Specialist
Sydney Romagnolo, a young nonprofit professional, has grown up immersed in Phoenix’s nonprofit world since childhood. In fact, she considers serving nonprofits to be a family legacy. Sydney is a Bentley University alum with a Bachelor’s in Management and a concentration in Supply Chain and Operations. Having joined the Good Works team in 2021, she is excited to be supporting and staying connected to Arizona’s nonprofits.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Management, Bentley University
ERIN SLUTZKY
Grant Specialist
Erin Slutzky is a recent 2024 graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication, graduating summa cum laude. She also completed a minor in Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacies, equipping her with a strong foundation in clear, persuasive communication and critical thinking. Erin now brings her expertise to the Good Works Grants Team as a Grant Specialist, where she is excited to apply her skills to secure meaningful funding for nonprofit initiatives that drive positive change. Erin’s commitment to the nonprofit sector is rooted in her deep passion for helping individuals from all backgrounds thrive. During her time at ASU, Erin gained valuable experience working with nonprofit organizations, including the public library, where she dedicated her time to serving the community and supporting its growth. This hands-on experience has fueled her drive to work in the nonprofit field, where she believes that equity and access to resources can transform lives. In her current role as a Good Works Grant Specialist (as of January 2025), Erin combines her strong communication background with her passion for service, ensuring that grant applications are thoughtfully crafted and aligned with the goals of organizations seeking to make a lasting impact. Whether through her academic achievements or her work with nonprofits, Erin remains steadfast in her belief that helping others succeed is the key to building a more equitable and inclusive society.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Communication, Arizona State University
Minor in Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacies, Arizona State University
JOSE ECHEVERRÍA VEGA
Grant Specialist
José Echeverría Vega rejoined Good Works Grant Writing in August 2025 as a Grant Specialist. He is a public sector professional with more than nine years of experience advancing community-based programs in homelessness, behavioral health, HIV prevention, and local government services. Across Arizona, he has secured more than $15 million and managed more than $50 million in grant funding, with a focus on improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges. José’s commitment to public service began in direct care and case management, where he witnessed the difference that well-resourced programs make in people’s lives. He holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Advocacy & Social Policy from Arizona State University, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Rutgers University. As a returning Grant Specialist, José brings a thoughtful, equity-centered lens, firsthand frontline insight, and clear, persuasive grant strategy that helps the Good Works Team translate community needs into funded action.
Education:
Master of Public Administration, Arizona State University
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (In-Progress), Rutgers University
Bachelor of Arts in Community Advocacy & Social Policy, Arizona State University
GINA JAHR
Copy Editor and Grant Writing Coach
Gina Jahr joined the Good Works team in 2020. Gina has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 35 years. As the former Executive Director of Black Hills Area Community Foundation, Gina Jahr launched the organization’s process for distribution of grants, reviewing countless proposals in the process. This experience coupled with her decades of work in the fundraising field (including heading up the development programs at the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, the Black Hills Work Foundation, the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation, and Rapid City Regional Hospital) make her the perfect person to mentor Good Works’ grant writers and edit each proposal prior to client review. Gina, who earned her CFRE credential in 1988, relocated to Arizona in 2019 and quickly came out of early retirement to lend her critical eye – and big heart – to Good Works and our clients.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Public Affairs/Political Science, Loyola University of Chicago
CHRISSY PATE
Employee and Client Relations Manager
With a passion for furthering the work of Arizona’s nonprofits, Chrissy Pate joined the Good Works Team in February 2023 with more than 18 years of experience in project management, fund development, marketing, and human resources/relations. Most recently, Chrissy worked at the Catholic Community Foundation for eight years, helping to secure and distribute funds to a variety of local organizations. Additionally, she has served on the board of directors for Restore Dignity. Prior to her involvement in the nonprofit sector, Chrissy worked in marketing for a decade. Chrissy wears two hats at Good Works Grant Writing. In her role as Good Works Employee and Client Relations Manager, Chrissy oversees human resources and client relations.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism, Arizona State University
Work with Us
602-613-2654
info@GoodWorksGrants.com