Who We Are
The Thread team consists of experts in various fields of fundraising who have worked in development departments both large and small. We’ve raised revenue in well-resourced environments where everything executes according to industry best practices, as well as shops that had to be scrappy and inventive to secure every dollar. We love our work because it affords us the opportunity to share our knowledge and know-how with organizations that are directly making our communities stronger and more equitable places to live.
LOREE LIPSTEIN
Founder & CEO|Washington, DC
Loree Lipstein is a passionate and innovative leader with more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit field who brings limitless energy and fierce dedication to all her partnerships. Loree’s vision for Thread Strategies grew from her experience observing many nonprofits with innovative ideas struggle to maximize their impact because of funding obstacles. By forming a team of fundraising experts in all areas of practice, Loree seeks to break down funding barriers facing small nonprofits so they may maximize impact. Thread’s partners benefit from Loree’s creative and organized mind, which she uses to guide organizations to new levels of success.
Loree’s ideal day starts with a run with her long-time running group and is followed by a visit to the farmers market and a swing through Jubilee for some ice cream, a lazy afternoon with a book in the sunshine and ends with hitting a dance floor with friends to cap off the night!
TRACY SHAW
Executive Principal|Washington, DC
Tracy is a dedicated development professional striving to connect idealists with the resources they need. Tracy has helped a variety of organizations meet the needs of their communities by providing direction and guidance in fundraising planning and execution at local, regional and national levels. It is Tracy’s firm belief that connecting powerful programs with the right resources creates positive change in the world, and it is her goal to help Thread’s partners be at those intersections. In addition, our partners benefit most from Tracy’s enthusiasm as she strives to help people work together, share their stories and strengthen connections in order to raise the resources needed to solve real-life problems.
Tracy’s ideal day includes waking up without an alarm, taking a long walk while listening to one of her favorite podcasts or favorite country artist, Eric Church, watching a matinee movie with her sweet husband, Todd, and enjoying dinner at her favorite restaurant, Coastal Flats (the calamari is a MUST!).
TARYN DEATON
Executive Principal|Washington, DC
Taryn Deaton is an experienced development and communications professional who is passionate about helping organizations convert their mission from an idea into ongoing action. With more than 20 years of development and leadership experience across the non-profit and higher-education sectors, Taryn is skilled at supporting organizations as they articulate a vision and then build out a plan for its accomplishment. Taryn is a seasoned veteran when it comes to building the systems and processes necessary to ensure that a non-profit’s operations are equipped to advance the organization’s strategic goals. Her leadership style is anchored in collaboration, as she is also a consummate relationship and partnership builder.
Taryn’s ideal day includes traveling someplace new with her husband, exploring off-the-beaten path spots with no destination in mind, driving back roads listening to music, enjoying delicious meals (especially dessert), and watching the Cubs play during baseball season.
SARA LACAVA LIEBERMAN
Principal|Hartford, CT
Sara is passionate about fundraising as movement building and supporting people to be confident fundraisers and ambassadors for their cause. Sara has over fifteen years of fundraising experience and a track record of helping organizations achieve significant and sustainable fundraising growth as a staff member, board member, and consultant. Sara brings joy to fundraising and learning and prides herself on her ability to create inclusive processes that help to build community and foster equity.
Sara’s ideal day includes hosting a theme party, watching the UConn women’s basketball team win a great game, and ending the night with snuggles from her kid.
STELA PATRON
Director|Washington, DC
Stela’s passion for improving the world in a more tangible way led to her “retirement” from civil engineering in 2003 and the beginning of her career in the nonprofit world. Since that time, she’s had the pleasure of working with a variety of organizations ranging from health and wellness to professional organizations to higher education. She draws on her experience with volunteers, donors, and staff at all levels as well as her “engineering brain” to formulate creative and efficient solutions that maximize the skills, talents and dynamics of Thread’s partners. She loves problem-solving and connecting social enterprise organizations with the resources and tools to help them grow and thrive.
Stela’s ideal day includes eating salt and vinegar chips on a beach with her husband Brandon, son Kai and dog Manny Pacquiao while listening to 80’s and 90’s pop music (with a little Pitbull mixed in), followed by an all-you-can-eat sushi dinner.
ANNA MOROZOVSKY
Senior Consultant|San Francisco, CA
Anna Morozovsky has 15 years of experience working in fast-paced development environments. From political campaigns to disaster relief fundraising, she has built fundraising operations from the ground up, creating systems and strong donor relationships along the way. She has a strong talent for tackling problems and doing the hard (and sometimes tedious) work to get things done, and get them done right.
Anna’s ideal day would be spent outside – on the beach, or on a ski mountain – with her husband Ben and 3 kids – Nate (8), Beau (8) and Addie (4). Her ideal day could also be some time alone with a hot cup of coffee and a good book.
ABIGAIL RYBNICEK
Senior Consultant|Washington, DC
Abigail Rybnicek has worked to support, lead, and grow non-profits for nearly fifteen years. Over the course of her career, Abigail has collaborated with small nonprofits and major foundations to help them refine their knowledge, initiatives, and overall focus to better deliver on their mission. With an ability to see the big picture and affinity for details and to-do lists, Abigail brings a unique and valuable perspective to an organization’s challenges and opportunities.
Abigail’s ideal day would start with a morning exploring and picnicking in the National Arboretum with her husband and two kids. Both kids would then take great naps, allowing her a chance to catch up on this month’s book club read, plan her next international adventure, and prep food for family pizza night.
ANDREW EDWARDS
Director|Chapel Hill, NC
Andrew Edwards is a development professional with over 10 years of experience in health and human services non-profits where his work has ranged from peer-to-peer and special event fundraising to marketing and corporate partnerships. He believes in the power of strong relationships and thoughtful infrastructure to underpin organizational operations and meaningful growth. This attention to detail has enabled Andrew to fundraise over $30M across his career. To Andrew, fundraising success comes from strategic leadership that uses innovation to inspire teams to develop revenue strategies that meet mission objectives.
Andrew’s ideal day takes place at the beach with his husband, Matt and daughter, Carey Hill. His day would start out with a long run or cycling ride. Throughout the rest of the day, he’d make all homemade meals and enjoy spending time in the kitchen baking delicious treats for his family!
MACKAY GUNN
Director|Denver, CO
Mackay Gunn is a philanthropic management professional with more than a decade of experience in development. Mackay prides herself on being an empathetic and creative leader and strives to understand the unique goals and mission of each partner she works alongside. By combining her years of frontline fundraising with consulting for small, mid-size and large non-profits, Mackay seeks to provide value for each of her partners by developing relationships based in genuine interest in each unique mission. Ultimately, her desire to see the ripples her clients can create out into the world drives her each day to do the work.
Mackay’s ideal day starts with her new daughter sleeping in late while Mackay enjoys a warm cup of coffee. It continues with exploring a new location with her family, close to home or farther afield, and ends with a great glass of red wine and a delicious meal, preferably that someone else has cooked!
CHRISTINA ROBERTS
Director|Washington, DC
Christina Roberts is a creative fundraising professional with over a decade of experience advancing education and public policy nonprofit development. Working in both front-line fundraising and supportive roles for mid-size and large nonprofits, she takes the approach of “beginning where the client is” to guide her relationship with each of her partners to ensure a tailored outcome. Christina also brings deep experience in communications and marketing, including digital strategies and design.
Christina’s ideal day begins with breakfast in bed as she develops the day’s schedule. The to-do list would include tackling a creative project at home and venturing to the beach with her partner and friends for fun with the sun. On the ride there she would curate the ultimate playlist to serve as the soundtrack to the perfect day. After a quick nap, the day would conclude with friends inviting her and her partner to their home for dinner (so they don’t have to host!).
join our team
We’re always looking to welcome more talented development professionals into our community. If you are interested in learning more about open development positions at Thread’s nonprofit partners, please contact: [email protected]
