2025 Not-for-Profit Conference

With a decade of experience in fundraising and leading high-performing development teams, Cristina has a proven track record of driving philanthropic success at both small and large nonprofits, educational institutions, and cultural organizations in Denver. As Senior Director of Philanthropy at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, she has played a key role in doubling dollars raised between 2018 and 2024. Previously, she held leadership positions at the University of Colorado - Denver and Emily Griffith Foundation, where she spearheaded innovative fundraising strategies. 

Passionate about creative problem-solving and team motivation, Cristina thrives on exceeding institutional goals and fostering meaningful donor relationships. Her background in teaching informs her approach to fundraising, recognizing the parallels in inspiring curiosity and engagement-whether in students or donors. 

Originally from New York, she has spent the past 20 years in Colorado while staying loyal to the Yankees-a stance not shared by her two teenage sons. 

Sloan Smith, CAIA, MBA, CPWA®| Principal, Director

Sloan is a Principal & Director at Innovest and a member of the Investment Committee, which drives the firm’s investment related research and due diligence. He serves as a consultant working primarily with institutions and families. He is the Director of the Due Diligence Group, responsible for independently sourcing investment managers, as well as monitoring recommended products and strategies. The group utilizes both quantitative and qualitative analysis evaluating performance, understanding return attribution, and meeting management teams both at Innovest and at their offices. The group works in conjunction with Innovest’s Investment Committee. Sloan is responsible for covering traditional equity and fixed income investments as well as alternative investments such as hedge funds, private equity, and real estate. He is also a member of the NexGen Society. Members of the NexGen Society are dedicated to leadership and instilling the Innovest culture into future generations. The elite NexGen members are selected by Innovest’s executive team and receive specialized training and responsibilities.

Prior to joining Innovest, Sloan was a Senior Consultant at Northern Trust in Chicago. At Northern Trust he oversaw and performed reviews of client portfolios, ensuring valuation and pricing procedures were followed. He also developed automated systems that allowed clients to effectively manage risk within their portfolios.

Previously, Sloan was a Senior Risk Analyst at Alphametrix, a hedge fund platform in Chicago. While at Alphametrix, Sloan managed relationships with brokers and direct investors, performed manager due diligence and built customized risk reports for the firm’s clientele. Prior to Alphametrix, Sloan was employed by Simplex Investments in Chicago as an equity options trader where he implemented an arbitrage strategy on behalf of the firm.

Sloan, a New Hampshire native, holds an undergraduate and MBA degree from the University of Notre Dame where he graduated cum laude. While receiving his MBA, Sloan was part of the Applied Investment Management (AIM) course, which manages a portion of Notre Dame’s endowment. He is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and is also a former member of the Notre Dame Varsity lacrosse team. Sloan also holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certification, administered by the Investments and Wealth Institute and taught in conjunction with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Sloan is on the Board of Directors for Economic Literacy Colorado, which empowers Colorado students to achieve a lifetime of economic understanding and financial freedom. He also serves as Treasurer and is a member of the Audit and Finance Committees.

Sloan is happily married with four children. He enjoys spending his free time with his family and is passionate about the financial markets, Notre Dame athletics, and the New England Patriots.

John J. Hall, CPA, has worked as an auditor, professional speaker, consultant, and author for over 45 years. He builds and delivers live and virtual keynote presentations, skills training seminars, webinars, and in-person conference presentations for auditors, including over 3,500 live presentations to date.

John is best known for bringing practical, proven, efficient solutions to real-world business challenges (including especially ethics and fraud risks!!!) faced by clients and program participants.

John is the founder and President of Hall Consulting, Inc. In addition to 30-plus years as a self-employed speaker, auditor and consultant, John has worked in senior leadership positions in large corporations and international public accounting and consulting firms. He’s a member of the National Speakers Association, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Colette is a consultant with 18 years of experience providing tax consulting services and analyzing complex tax situations from both sides of the desk. She spent roughly 10 years providing tax saving solutions for clients before going in house to focus on credits and global acquisitions for a Fortune 200 company. In returning to the client service side, focused on R&D credits and Section 174 studies. In joining Eide Bailly’s National Tax Office she is focusing her efforts on energy efficiency incentives while being a resource for the Business Credits & Incentives team. Colette helps our clients understand the ever changing landscape of tax credits and incentives. She works with both tax-exempt and taxable organizations to understand available incentives.

When you work with Colette, you will find a tax nerd who has a personal approach to understanding your organization’s needs. She believes that clear and open communication is a cornerstone in providing professional services. Working with Colette you will experience tailor made solutions to your organization’s challenges.

In her spare time, you’ll find Colette volunteering and enjoying the great outdoors with her husband and kids. When not playing in the mountains, she loves exploring new places, sneaking in a run and reading a good book.