Not-For-Profit & Governmental Accounting Conference - 1st DAY ONLY

Melisa Galasso

Melisa Galasso founded Galasso Learning Solutions in 2016.  Having partnered with hundreds of CPA firms, governments, nonprofits, state societies, and alliances, I've become a nationally recognized authority in designing and facilitating courses on advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. Backed by deep expertise in adult learning theory and having become a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and ATD Master Trainer™,

Catherine Demes Maydew

Catherine has extensive experience working with public service clients such as nonprofits, governments, governmental entities, schools, hospitals and foundations. A seasoned certified public accountant, Maydew is also a certified information systems auditor and certified fundraising executive.
Catherine began her career in public accounting and then moved to the private sector, where she served as Director of Finance, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for several leading organizations in the Omaha area. In her role at BerganKDV, she works with nonprofit and government clients to provide business structure and management advice by assisting with internal control assessments and restructuring, strategic planning, budgeting assistance and serving as an outsourced CFO/Controller.

Howard Epstein

Howard N. Epstein joined Oakdale Strategies in April 2024 as Partner of Legacy & Endowment Strategies. Understanding that financial stability is essential for a nonprofit organization’s ability to accomplish its mission and long-term growth, Epstein collaborates and strategizes with nonprofit charitable organizations to achieve long-term financial stability through legacy gifting campaigns and endowment development campaigns.

Prior to joining Oakdale Strategies, Epstein served for ten years as executive director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.  During his tenure, the Foundation doubled the amount of its charitable distributions and its assets under management. He championed the implementation and development of the Foundation’s legacy giving campaign which led to gift commitments from hundreds of donors with a total value over $25 million. Epstein earned his JD degree from Creighton University School of Law, and was in the private practice of law for 16 years before joining the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. He served as an adjunct professor of law at Creighton where he taught a course in nonprofit organizations.  Active in business and community activities for over 45 years, he has been a member of, and served as a board member and officer of, numerous organizations including current membership in Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha, Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska, and the Omaha Estate Planning Council.

A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, Epstein maintains an in-depth knowledge of the nonprofit philanthropic community, the important role of the nonprofit organization’s officers, board of directors, professional staff, volunteers, donors and supporters.  He is well-versed in the techniques and gifting tools which are available to help them succeed.

Todd Mekelburg

Todd Mekelburg serves as Director of Gift Planning for the Nebraska Community Foundation based in Lincoln. Prior to joining NCF in 2022, Todd worked in gift planning at high education and health care organizations. Todd enjoys travelling to new places and spends time on the golf course, pickleball court, and biking the trails in and around Lincoln.

Vanessa Denny

Vanessa is the Vice President of Donor & Philanthropic Services. She oversees the work with our private and family foundations, corporate partners, fundholders and Southwest Iowa affiliates. Her team can help set giving priorities, plan meetins, provide nonprofit knowledge, and more.

Megan Koziol

Megan Koziol is a tax senior manager and has been with Eide Bailly, formerly Seim Johnson, for over 13 years. She specializes in providing tax compliance and planning services to tax-exempt organizations. She has extensive experience with the Form 990 and enjoys assisting nonprofit organizations with all of their tax reporting needs so they can focus on their mission. A graduate of the University of Nebraska - Omaha, and an Omaha native, Megan and her husband, Josh, are enjoying raising their two children in such a unique philanthropic community.

Melisa Galasso

Melisa Galasso founded Galasso Learning Solutions in 2016.  Having partnered with hundreds of CPA firms, governments, nonprofits, state societies, and alliances, I've become a nationally recognized authority in designing and facilitating courses on advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. Backed by deep expertise in adult learning theory and having become a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and ATD Master Trainer™,

Marcy Luth

Marcy J. Luth, CPA, PFS, CMA, CFM, CGFM, is a shareholder of AMGL PC in Grand Island. She graduated from Hastings College and received an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Marcy is the chairperson of the firm's Accounting and Auditing Department. She serves on the board of trustees for Hastings College and the Hastings College Foundation and previously served on the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy. 

Julie Bauman

Julie D. Bauman, CPA, is the owner and CEO of Julie D. Bauman, CPA, PC, located in Falls City, Neb. She earned her CPA license in May 1995, when she passed the exam on the first sitting. Julie has served on the Nebraska Society of CPAs Board of Directors. She was the chairman for the Nebraska Society of CPAs in 2012. Julie finished serving as an elected member of the AICPA Council in 2019. She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and is licensed in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.

Bryce Wilson

Bryce Wilson received his Masters of Public Accounting degree from the University of Nebraska.  Bryce worked in public accounting as an auditor and tax accountant for five years earning his C.P.A. license before joining the Department of Education.  He held the role of State Aid Director and Administrator of Finance and Organizational Services for the Department of Education before taking his current role of Finance Officer for the Department of Education.

Ralph Kellogg

Ralph Kellogg, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a senior human resources executive, TEDx speaker, and author of the forthcoming book Leading While Human: Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me. With more than two decades of experience in people operations and organizational leadership, Ralph has worked across nonprofit and corporate environments guiding leaders through change, culture transformation, employee engagement, and workforce strategy.

He is known for blending practical HR expertise with lived experience, speaking candidly about leadership, mental health in the workplace, accountability, and building cultures where people feel valued, connected, and supported. Ralph's work focuses on helping organizations strengthen retention by improving trust, communication, and the employee experience — not through theory, but through real-world insight.