Consultants

Mike Oxman

Consultant,

Michael Oxman believes in the power of innovation to transform the social sector, which inspired him to cofound No Margin, No Mission in 2011. A self-described entrepreneur and business leader with a strong desire to create a better world, he embraces opportunities to help organizations become stronger and more thrivable so they can achieve greater mission impact. Michael’s talents have been widely embraced by nonprofit and philanthropic leaders nationwide.

Michael’s extensive experience in both for-profit and nonprofit entrepreneurial ventures has earned him respect nationally as a subject-matter expert, consultant, and speaker on topics pertaining to earned income and social enterprise, business planning, plus brand and marketing strategy. With consulting experience that runs broad and deep, Michael’s client portfolio spans a wide range of health and human service, arts, and philanthropic organizations.

Prior to founding No Margin, No Mission, Michael was an advertising and communications senior executive at Havas (formerly Euro RSCG Worldwide) in the firm’s Chicago office. During his time there, Michael led the Agency’s Business Development and Digital Marketing teams, plus strategic brand development for Walgreens Boots Alliance. He also initiated his strategic work in the nonprofit sector for the Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.). Prior to joining Havas, Michael was a senior executive at Publicis (formerly D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles) in the firm's Detroit office, leading strategic brand development for the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors. Earlier in his career, Michael held executive positions at other leading advertising agencies, advising Fortune 500 clients such as Chiquita Brands Worldwide and The Iams Pet Food Company on brand strategy.

Michael has served on several Chicago-area nonprofit boards, including Ravinia Music Festival’s Ravinia Associates and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Michael earned his BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MS in Advertising from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Chicago.

Join No Margin, No Mission on Twitter: @margin_mission

To contact Michael: moxman@nomarginnomission.org

Donna Puhalovich

Consultant,

Working with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and Advancing Philanthropic Leadership is like coming home for Donna.

At the beginning of her career, she worked in the technology field with NCR and then the Internet Access Group. After a short break to raise her three boys, she began working at Manatee Technical College in the Grants/Marketing Department. It was at MTC where she had her first opportunity to work with students as a Career Counselor. After her career with the school district, she went back into private industry and ran her own technology consulting company. As life evolved, so did her passion. She felt the calling and needed to have daily connections with her community and to use her knowledge and experiences to help others feel supported and valued. 

Donna graduated from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing. She is a proud Florida native and enjoys finding ways to live a life that is compatible with nature and its delicate balance.

Join Donna on Twitter: @DonnaPuhalovich

To contact Donna: DPuhalovichTPF@gmail.com

Laurey Stryker

Consultant

Dr. Laurey Stryker is a consultant who works with private foundations and nonprofit organizations to facilitate, develop, and implement innovative education strategies.

She formerly managed and now consults The Patterson Foundation's (TPF) Digital Access for All initiative, which explores the efforts of multiple sectors working to enhance access to technology and connects people in ways that foster inclusion and well-being. This initiative aspires to discover how individuals, businesses, nonprofits, government, and the media are moving the needle on access to digital technology. This knowledge will inform opportunities to collaboratively strengthen these efforts.

Dr. Stryker was TPF's initiative manager for EdExploreSRQ, a sustainable platform that has greatly enhanced access to experiential learning in Sarasota's schools. Most recently, she managed the development of TPF's Advancing Philanthropic Leadership initiative. Collaborations with IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy led to a vibrant TPF Fellows Program and opportunities for TPF to share its work as a "living laboratory."

She conducted the developmental work to establish the West Coast of Florida's Cross College Alliance, which is made up of New College of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, The Ringling/Florida State University, State College of Florida, and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. The Alliance is dedicated to "Rethinking Education. Together." to benefit students and the community.

Prior to her consulting practice, Dr. Stryker held leadership positions in higher education at the University of South Florida and completed her career there as President of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.

She was Florida's Deputy Commissioner of Education for eight years. She worked extensively on higher education policy and programs and is also the former Deputy Secretary of Florida's Department of Labor.

Dr. Stryker earned her bachelor and master of arts degrees in political science and her Ed.D in higher education management from Florida State University.

To contact Dr. Laurey Stryker: lstrykertpf@gmail.com

Tom Tryon

Thomas Tryon was the opinion editor and a public-engagement leader for two decades at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he spent 39 years.

He is a husband, stepdad, grandfather, and friend. Born and raised in Manatee County, he played on Palmetto High School’s only state championship football team. He was his family’s first college graduate, receiving a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1980 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

A member of Christ Episcopal Church, Tom is on the board of Second Heart Homes, which houses and loves mentally ill homeless people. He was a chairman of Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence and Youth Leadership Sarasota County.

Tom leads The Patterson Foundation’s Higher Waters: Suncoast Quality of Life initiative.

Join Tom on Twitter: @TomTryon

To contact Tom: thomastryonfla@gmail.com

Lauren Turner

Lauren was born and raised in Sarasota, FL. After graduating from high school, Lauren went to Vanderbilt University, where she double majored in Human and Organizational Development and Vocal Performance, earning her Bachelor of Science degree. Knowing she wanted to begin her career in the nonprofit arts arena, she obtained a Master of Arts in Arts Administration with a concentration in development at Savannah College of Art & Design in Atlanta. Before coming to The Patterson Foundation, Lauren worked for many years as the Manager of Individual Giving at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and most recently as a Development Officer in the Advancement Department at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Her main interests and hobbies include anything musical -- opera, broadway, playing piano and guitar. She’s passionate about giving back to the community and building meaningful relationships.

She and her cockapoo, Scout, enjoy living in downtown Sarasota by the beautiful bayfront. Some fun facts about Lauren are that she is Swedish, a yogi, and has sung in Carnegie Hall twice and in St. Peters Basilica in Italy. She is thrilled to be a part of The Patterson Foundation, contributing to bettering the community through Digital Access for All!

Join Lauren on Twitter: @lTurnerTPF

To contact Lauren: laurenrturnertpf@gmail.com

Nancy Vafeas

Consultant, TPF Administration and Accounting

A native of Tennessee, Nancy Vafeas earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Advertising from Middle Tennessee State University. She began her career in the marketing department with SunTrust Bank and transitioned to serving high-net-worth clients as a private banker while earning her Certified Financial Planner designation.

Nancy is an avid community volunteer helping many local nonprofits and has served on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Sarasota, Ashton Elementary PTO, and Sarasota Youth Sailing. She was also a member of the Ashton Elementary and Sarasota Middle School Advisory Councils. She currently serves on the Cotillion Club of Sarasota Board of Directors and is an active member of the Church of the Palms, Presbyterian USA.

Nancy and her husband, Dimitrios, have a son, Alexander, a freshman at the University of Florida, and a daughter, Olivia, a 10th grader at Riverview High School and the cutest dog in the world, Palmer the Goldendoodle. Nancy loves to travel and is always planning the next vacation extravaganza for her family.

Join Nancy on Twitter: @NancyVafeas

To contact Nancy: nvafeas@thepattersonfoundation.org