Andrew Davis, Director of Training/Governance Consultant, Board Source

As the director of training BoardSource, Andy Davis is responsible for creating the public trainings that BoardSource delivers to the nonprofit sector across the country. This includes the construction and implementation of the online and live versions of the BoardSource Certificate of Nonprofit Board Education program as well as leadership certificate programs aimed at developing highly skilled nonprofit board chairs and executive directors. Andy also leads the team charged with creating, developing and delivering the BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer program. Andy brings considerable governance expertise to his role. Prior to joining BoardSource, he served as the professional development coordinator for Quality Enhancement for Non-Profit Organizations (QENO), a joint partnership between the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the City of Wilmington, and area nonprofits dedicated to increasing leadership knowledge and capacity in nonprofits throughout the region. In this role, Andy customized governance solutions and organized training programs for nonprofit boards and chief executives throughout eastern North Carolina.

Andy holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. As an AmeriCorps veteran and long-time nonprofit staff member, he has had the unique experience of working at nonprofit organizations nationwide, including Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, Hawaii Food Bank of Honolulu, Palm Springs Unified School District, and United Community Ministries of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. In these roles, Andy has served at every organizational level including staff and board member.

Raël Nelson James, Director of Board Recruiting and Diversity, Charter Board Partners

Raël Nelson James comes to Charter Board Partners with over 10 years experience working at DC nonprofits. Most recently she was the Interim Director of Development at The Fishing School, an out-of-school time program for underserved DC public school students in Wards 6, 7, and 8. Prior to that, Raël was the first-ever Executive Director of LIFT-DC, where she expanded the antipoverty organization into the District's bilingual communities and east of the Anacostia River. Raël previously managed KIPP DC's foundation and corporate relations and served as the Program Director at Operation Understanding DC, a leadership development and dialogue program for Black and Jewish high school students. Raël is a native Washingtonian and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Tufts University. 

Jessica Wechter, Acting Senior Manager, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

Jessica Wechter is an acting senior manager on the Program Team at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. GEO is a diverse community of more than 500 grantmakers working to reshape the way philanthropy operates. GEO members are committed to advancing smarter grantmaking practices that enable nonprofits to grow stronger and achieve better results. In her current role, Jessica is responsible for content development, program design and project management for GEO’s conferences. She also contributes to publishing, communications and other programming, and oversees relationships with members and partners. Jessica joined GEO in 2010 and, from 2010 to 2013, worked on the Scaling What Works initiative, helping educate grantmakers about practices that help their grantees plan, adapt and increase their impact. 

Prior to joining to GEO, Jessica earned a master of public affairs degree, with concentrations in nonprofit management and policy analysis, from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. While at IU, she helped conduct a human services needs assessment for the United Way of Monroe County, and served as a research assistant on the Indiana Nonprofits: Scope and Community Dimensions project. Previously, Jessica was a graphic designer for Conservation International’s Center for Environmental Leadership in Business and assisted with corporate and foundation relations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in policy studies and graphic arts from Syracuse University. Jessica serves on the board of Metro TeenAIDS and volunteers with DC Greens’ Farmers’ Market Brigade, helping low-income residents access fresh, local produce.

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