Purpose Driven Finance

Ciara Leahy is a Senior Manager with Forvis Mazars, where she advises nonprofit and higher education organizations on financial reporting, governance, compliance, and strategic financial management. With nearly 20 years of experience serving mission-driven organizations, she works closely with executive leaders, finance teams, and boards to help organizations navigate complexity while advancing their missions. Through her work with organizations across the nonprofit sector, Ciara brings a broad perspective on the financial, operational, and leadership challenges facing today's purpose-driven organizations. She is passionate about fostering meaningful conversations among nonprofit leaders and helping translate complex financial issues into practical insights that support stronger decision-making and long-term sustainability. A frequent speaker and educator, Ciara leads training programs, presents at industry conferences, and works alongside nonprofit leaders to strengthen financial stewardship and organizational impact. Ciara earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Elmhurst University and is an active member of the Illinois CPA Society nonprofit committee and the Illinois CPA Society women's committee.

Jim Amend is a transformational operations executive with more than 20 years of experience driving operational excellence, supply chain optimization, and organizational growth across manufacturing, distribution, and nonprofit sectors. He currently serves as Vice President of Operations at A Safe Haven Foundation, where he oversees complex operations, diverse real estate and property management initiatives, and social enterprise businesses that create pathways to stability and long-term success for individuals facing homelessness. Throughout his career, Jim has led global supply chain and business transformation initiatives across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, delivering measurable improvements in performance and profitability. He is recognized for aligning operational strategy with mission-driven impact and leading complex organizational change in high-growth and high-change environments.

Sara Ray Hallman is the President & CEO of Easterseals Chicago & Rockford Regions, overseeing a broad portfolio that spans the early learning and disability realms. Easterseals Chicago & Rockford Regions has a $92M operating budget with 800 employees, serving 20,000 families each year. Dr. Hallman was hired as the turnaround CEO of the organization in 2019 and has led significant organizational transformation. In recognition of her leadership, Hallman was named a member of the Chicago Titan100, a select group of Chicago business leaders. Dr Hallman also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University, teaching classes in Social Enterprise. Prior to her role at Easterseals, Sara was the Sara Liston Spurlark Director of the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute (UEI) and a Clinical Professor in the Committee on Education. At the University of Chicago, Dr. Hallman was awarded the Quantrell Award for Undergraduate Teaching; the Don York Faculty Initiative Award; and was inducted into the University of Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame for Track and Field. Hallman is a Board member and Officer on several non-profit Boards. Dr. Hallman received a BA, MA and PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago.

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Otis Usher is a seasoned financial executive with a career spanning the not-for-profit, private, and public sectors covering numerous industries including manufacturing, distribution, professional services, financial services, health information, and not-for-profit Otis currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Blessings in a Backpack, a national nonprofit dedicated to combating childhood hunger. In this role, he has been responsible for the organization’s financial management and planning, performance analytics, process improvements, food solutions, technology and many administrative areas. Previously, Otis was the CFO and Vice President of Finance at the nonprofit American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), where he guided financial operations for both the association and its related foundation. During his tenure, he significantly improved cash flow management, implemented rigorous financial oversight, and played a key role in executive recruitment. Otis is a long-standing (25+ years) FEI member and past President of the Chicago Chapter, where he held board and leadership roles for many years. In 2017, Otis was honored with the FEI National Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the FEI National organization. Otis was also named a finalist for the Chicago CFO of the Year Award for 2025 in the small not-for-profit category A Certified Public Accountant in Illinois, Otis holds a B.S. in Accounting from Quincy University and has completed Six Sigma Green Belt Training with the Chicago Deming Association.