Ready, set, here we go! Join us for the morning Day 1 General Session as we kick off Raise 2024, live from Nashville! Get pumped up with a welcome from OneCause CEO, Steve Johns, and an inspiring keynote from acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Brett Culp. Brett’s unique storytelling style inspires audiences to embrace and accept change, empower others, and spark innovation as they walk the path of everyday leadership — and invite others along on a mission to achieve something extraordinary.
Speakers
Steve Johns
CEO, OneCause
Steve Johns is an experienced leader who’s passionate about helping nonprofits build a better tomorrow. He brings over 30 years of experience in technology, corporate development, venture capital, event production and entrepreneurship to his role as Chief Executive Officer at OneCause. For the last seven years, Steve has led the award-winning team at OneCause to surpass $3 billion raised for its 6,000 nonprofit customers. Steve’s concentration focuses on being a strategist, visionary, influencer, and change agent for the organization.
He brings a fresh perspective to the team with his previous experiences as a senior executive in the Fortune 500, as well as successful early-stage start-up investing and scale-up executive leadership.Steve served on the Motorola Research Visionary Board and was a pioneer member of DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center Blue Print Mentoring Program. He currently serves on the board for TechPoint helping guide growth initiatives for the Indiana tech industry.
Steve earned a BA in business and accounting from Augustana College and began his career as a CPA.
Brett Culp
Award-Winning Filmmaker & Keynote Speaker, Brett Culp Films
Brett Culp inspires us to engage in a passionate, meaningful mission that leaves a positive impact on the world and brings out the heroic spirit in us all.
Brett is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and founder of the nonprofit The Rising Heroes Project. He is known for the films, Legends of the Knight, and his latest, Look to the Sky, both of which explore the power of heroic stories and heroic individuals to inspire us to believe in a better tomorrow. Brett’s newest film, A Voice That Carries, follows the relationships between fathers and daughters, premiered in early June 2021.His films are featured on Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, and other top digital platforms.
Through his groundbreaking nonprofit documentary work, Brett has pioneered the art of creating “mini-movements” that inspire the super-human spirit in us all. His unique approach to community-building and relationship-driven engagement invite people to connect with a noble vision and make a difference together.
Passionate, energetic, and engaging, Brett encourages audiences to find the superhero within and their own path to “everyday leadership.” His insights on connecting individuals to an organization’s mission and goals resonate, help us realize our greatest personal and business potential, and renew our collective sense of hope for the future and belief that our efforts can make an impact.
Reggie Rivers
President, The Gala Team
Reggie Rivers is a former Denver Broncos running back, who grew up as a military brat and a pastor’s son. He learned early in my life to appreciate the power of community and the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” During his 6-year NFL career, Reggie was twice named Broncos Man of the Year in recognition of civic engagement and commitment to the community. Now, as a fundraising expert and benefit auctioneer, he feels that he’s found his true purpose in life: helping nonprofits raise money.
Tom Riles
Auctioneer & Emcee, Tom Riles Auctions
After Tom Riles’ oldest daughter was born with a heart defect in 2010 (she’s healthy now), Tom began emceeing heart-related charity events, which led to him becoming an auctioneer. Tom takes pride in entertaining audiences at benefits, as well as working closely with the charity to make sure the auction and fundraising is as successful as possible.
Tom was the opening act for The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 17 years, in addition to American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and The Voice. Now Tom serves as a benefit auctioneer for many nonprofits around the country including St. Jude, Make-A-Wish, and the American Heart Association.
Passionate about brand building, Tom launched LIFE OF DAD as a support group for dads when his daughter was still in the NICU. Now, LIFE OF DAD has over 7 million followers and helps support countless parents. Tom and his wife Lucy have three kids and currently live in Nashville. Tom and Lucy co-authored a book called MOM VS DAD, The Not-So-Serious Guide To The Stuff We’re All Fighting About.
