Brian Audia

Audia Consulting, Founder and President

Brian Audia is an inspirational leader in the movement to promote business as a tool for human flourishing.

He is passionate about increasing organizational performance through a scientific-based methodology that helps people engage more fully in their work and give more discretionary effort. Organizations with the highest levels of employee engagement will consistently outperform the markets and their competition over time through more significant innovation, higher customer satisfaction, and increased profits. They attract greater investment and sell at higher multiples. Most importantly, though, places of work with high engagement are places of joy where people thrive.

As a businessman, organizational development expert, and former nonprofit executive, Brian is honored as one of the Top 40 Alumni of Auburn University at Montgomery for his impact on the world, alongside two former Chairs of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brian has directed humanitarian and social service operations in over 40 nations and two dozen cities across the United States. He is recognized widely as a coalition builder and collaborative enterprise leader. He, his staff, and boards have consulted hundreds of organizations and managed tens of thousands of volunteers, raising millions of dollars around the globe and impacting lives for the better.

Brian serves as the President and CEO of AUDIA, a growth-oriented consulting company providing organizational performance and executive leadership services to increase the performance of businesses, nonprofits, and ministries. He has been married to his wife Melissa since 2000, and they have three boys, Caleb, Joshua, and Silas.

Jason Brown

CEO, Marketplace Chaplains

Jason Brown became CEO and President of Marketplace Chaplains in May 2022. He started with Marketplace Chaplains in February of 2002 as the first region level staff member dedicated solely to new client development. He came with 20 years of sales and marketing experience that included Procter and Gamble, National Sales Manager for Wrangler Outerwear, Computer Resale Technologies, and now leads our International Team of Company Expansion Directors and is responsible for marketing communications, branding and future strategic initiatives. Jason was also a professional athlete and won the 1991 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider title, while also serving as the rodeo’s National Spokesman Coordinator. Jason graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Marketing from the Rawls School of Business where he also co-founded the Young Entrepreneur Society. In addition to having owned and operated a successful commercial real estate business, Jason has served his community as a County Election Judge, and served on the Long-Range Planning Committee, as Chairman of Membership Committee then Chairman of House Committee and Board of Directors (Secretary, Executive Committee) for The Dallas Athletic Club. He is a US Lacrosse Level II Certified Coach and was on the Executive Committee of the DFW Lacrosse League, a Master Scuba Diver and a Contest Director for the International Miniature Aerobatic Club. He also serves on the Boards of The Last Well, 4Word for Women, Convene, and The Marsh Center for Chaplaincy Studies. He is frequently asked to speak at events and conferences. In 2020, Jason received the OnCon's Top 100 Marketer Award and in 2021 received OnCon's Top 50 Marketer Award, selected by his peers. Jason has helped lead Marketplace Chaplains' expansion with year over year double-digit growth both in North America and abroad. Jason and his wife Cyndi, who serves as an advisor to The Council of PTAs for Rockwall Independent School District, are the proud parents of twin boys, Layton and Parker, who enjoy competitive bass fishing and attend Dallas Baptist University.

Russ Crosson

RBT, Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Mission Officer

Russ Crosson is executive vice president and chiefmission officer ofRonald Blue Trust. Russ was hired in 1980 as the second employee of Ronald Blue Trust.

Russ has worked extensively in all areas of financial planning,specializing in comprehensive financial, estate, and philanthropic planning, as well as generational family wealth management and transfer. Russ serves as chief advocate for the heart and soul of the organization and works to ensure the mission of the company is carried out with integrity in every area of the organization with a focus onmaking sure the company's mission is passed down and inculcated into future generations.

Prior to his current position, Russ served as president and CEO of Ronald Blue Trust (2002 - 2017). From 1999 - 2002, Russ served as executive director ofthe National Christian Foundation (NCF).

Russ is the author of several books including YourLife... Well Spent, The Truth About Money Lies, What Makes a Leader Great, and Your Money Made Simple. He has also been a featured speaker in many venues.

Russ graduated from Kansas State University with aB S in mathematics and a master's degree in education.

Russ and Julie live in Roswell, Georgia and are active in teaching and mentoring young married couples in their church. They have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren. In his spare time, Russ enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, water skiing, and especially enjoys time with his grandchildren.

Laurie Farquhar

Senior Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley

Laurie is the President of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida where she sees hearts and lives changed every day through the joy of generosity. A member of the South Florida Executive Team, Laurie leads the staff dedicated to offering creative solutions and tax-smart strategies across all the regions in Southeast and Southwest Florida. Her team helps people give more efficiently and make the biggest possible impact in the areas of their greatest passion.

Laurie has a 20+ year track record in the corporate world as a former American Express executive and CPA with Deloitte. Prior to joining NCF South Florida, Laurie was head of American Express Consumer Travel, a $3.6B division with over 2000 people focused on delivering frontline sales and excellent service to Platinum and Centurion customers. In this role, Laurie explored her personal passion for travel and fell in love with Cambodia, its people and the Sala Bai Hotel School. In 2014, Laurie co-founded Support Sala Bai, an innovative community taking a stand against human trafficking through education and employment in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Laurie also serves on the Board of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida, Sheridan House Family Ministries and is the Treasurer of StrikeForce 421, the first women’s giving circle in South Florida. She is the proud mom of two sons, loves to travel, go on missions and serve others in need around the world.

Bryan Feller

President, NCF California

Bryan Feller has served as the president of NCF of California since 2014 where he has stewarded the growth of the organization from $20 million to $100 million+ in annual gifts. Prior to NCF, Bryan got his undergrad in theology, and later, an MBA. Through some early mentors, he found he had a gift for marking and strategy – and he was instrumental in leading a handful of companies to double-digit growth and led one company to make the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies – twice. In 2005, he started a consulting firm focused on marketing strategy and sales team effectiveness. In his role as a consultant and coach, Bryan has worked with nearly 70 organizations, ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 500. His clients included such companies as Johnson & Johnson, United Airlines, Capital One, and Bauch & Lomb.

Bryan has served as an adjunct faculty member at California Baptist University teaching business ethics. He is also a passionate outdoorsman and a Wilderness First Responder. He hikes up to 400+ miles a year in the local mountains and in the High Sierras. He is also a rock climber, CrossFitter, and a champion of fitness after 50. With his good friend Bob Fry, Bryan co-hosts “The Bob & Bryan Show”, a weekly webcast focused on tax-smart giving strategies.

Bryan married his high school sweetheart, Becky, 30+ years ago. They are now “empty-nesters” with two married children, Westley and Courtney, and a grandbaby, Conrad.

John Foreman

Senior Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley

John is a Senior Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. He has been a Financial Advisor, Certified Financial Planner, for the past 22 years and has built a successful 9 member financial advisement team. His advisement business is geared primarily to business owners, executives, physicians, and business professionals. Prior to being a Financial Advisor, John was in corporate finance for 11 years at Bank of America providing lending solutions to growing middle-market companies. John earned his undergraduate degree at Birmingham Southern and his Master’s degree at Barry University.

John has served on many South Florida Christian-based non-profit boards and finance committees. John served for 12 years at his church as a Sunday school teacher for young married couples with kids. John has been an active leader in his church men’s ministry over the last two decades, including arranging peer-to-peer men’s bible study groups, service projects, retreats, and golf tournaments. One of John’s favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 18:1 - one who isolates himself gives in to his own desires and wages war against all sound judgment.

John and his wife, Susan, have been married for 33 years. They have three grown children, two daughters, Laura age 31, Lindsay age 25, and their son David is 28. John is a native Floridian and loves spending time with his family and friends and enjoys the outdoors.

He is a self-described “has been” athlete playing baseball throughout college. John is an avid golfer, loves saltwater fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, motorcycle cruising, and biking.

Bryan Green

CEO, Helping Hands

Bryan Green is President and CEO of Helping Hands, a family of charitable organizations. Green has spent most of his career leading non-profit organizations from private boarding schools to major foundations. Currently serving on multiple non-profit boards, Green has over 30 years of experience working in the civic and social organization industry. Thanks to his direction, leadership, and influence, over a billion dollars in benevolent funds have been received by those in need. Bryan attributes his success to God working in and through his life and is grateful for his mentor, Terry Parker.

Green serves on various non-profit boards including Helping Hands Charitable Foundation, Inc., NEMA Foundation, Inc., and Helping Hands Support, Inc. Bryan holds his Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies from Nova Southeastern University. He and his wife Cheryl live in Sarasota, Florida.

Larry Noble

National Director, Corporate Engagement, World Vision

Larry holds a bachelor’s degree in music education, (1979), and an Executive MBA, (2000) with an emphasis in international business, technology, and leadership. For 40 years he has been a thought leader in sales and marketing in such diverse industries as property & casualty insurance, financial services, hospitality, and not-for-profits. He has developed and led high-performance sales & marketing teams from a field, middle management, and senior management level and has contributed significantly to the success of his organizations through creative design, systems optimization, and leadership.

Currently, Larry is the National Director of Corporate Engagement at World Vision, U.S. and leads the team to serve both domestic and international programming needs primarily through product donations. In this role, he has reimagined product donations in the NGO space, incorporating a business solutions approach and becoming a true business partner to the corporations World Vision serves. In addition, Larry has served as a Visiting Professor for Keller Graduate School of Management and Cardinal Stritch University business schools, teaching graduate courses such as Organizational Behavior & Leadership, Quality Management, Marketing Management, and International Business.

Larry is also active in the community, serving on the CTE (Career Technology Education) advisory board for Bethel School district as well as volunteer activities through DECA and his church. Larry and Lois, his beloved wife of 44 years, are the proud parents of two adult sons and four grandsons.

Garry Krum

Founder and Strategic Advisor, Agora Consulting

Garry is the Founder and President of Agora Strategic Consulting Group. He is passionate about helping businesses and organizations thrive! With his strong entrepreneurial background that includes over 37 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, and strengthening businesses, he and his team help business owners grow their profit margins, engage their team, and transform your business back into something you love to do.

As a co-author of the well-received book The Value Equation, Garry understands and works alongside business owners to make their values be the foundation of their businesses which ultimately leads to unbelievable, sustainable success for the business, the owner, the employees, and their clients.

Outside of Agora Strategic Consulting Group, and above all else, Garry faithfully grows his relationship with Jesus Christ. He fully acknowledges that God has placed him in this role to help other business owners find success and freedom through value-based strategy. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for over 27 years and together they have raised two strong men. His personal accomplishments include hiking over 3,000 miles of the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains as well as Manchu Picchu, climbing the northwest face of Half Dome, skiing the Valle Blanche in Chamonix, and having visited all 50 US states.

Greg Leith

CEO, Convene

Greg Leith is a CEO to CEOs as he stewards the role of CEO at Convene corporation, which has served thousands of Christian CEOs over 25 years. He was born in Canada and lived in all four corners of North America. His career spans over 45 years of senior leadership roles in corporate, nonprofit, and academic sectors, including serving as Director of Strategic Alliances for 13 years at Biola University in California, where he helped architect and lead a $180 million capital campaign.

Greg has served the persecuted church with food, brought relief and long-term jobs to Orissa, India, assisted mission agencies in China with strategy, and helped envision a School of Journalism in Haiti. He and Shelley, his wife of 41 years, have crisscrossed Canada for over a decade speaking on marriage and parenting for FamilyLife, helping thousands of marriages. Greg was a senior executive for 20 years with the $9 billion ServiceMaster company, serving in various leadership capacities. He was Vice President of Arrow Leadership and Director of Leadership Development for Christian Leadership Alliance, creating learning experiences for the most influential Christian leaders and organizations in the world. Greg and Shelley have raised five thriving young adults.

Laura Padrino

Director of Sales and Marketing, Padrino's Cuban Restaurants

Laura Padrino is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Padrino’s Cuban Restaurants, maintaining brand consistency throughout all locations, including the company’s website, employee training, plating, menu development, and more. Laura is responsible for securing contracts to help expand the business, such as catering, private events for large groups and building partnerships with local organizations and ministries, included in them is Love Life South Florida where she serves as the COO.

Laura designed the latest additions to the Padrino’s Restaurant collection which led to design consulting with a local family-owned contracting group.

She was recently honored as Rising Star under 40 at the Prestigious Women’s Gala presented by South Florida Business and Wealth.

She serves her community as appointed member of the Midtown Advisory Board for the city of Plantation where she resides with her husband of 10 years and their 2 beautiful daughters.

Mario Padrino

Owner & Chairman of Padrino's Cuban Restaurants

Mario Padrino is owner and chairman of Padrino’s Cuban Restaurants, family-owned-and-operated restaurants that have been serving South Florida since 1976. Mario is passionate about cultivating a company culture of respect, values and excellence for Padrino’s five restaurants located in South Florida.

When not involved in the restaurant, Mario is a member of Church by the Glades, where he volunteers his time as a lay pastor-a role that is very near to his heart. He and wife Nayade enjoy spending time together with their family which includes three married children and eight grandchildren, all of whom reside close to one another in Plantation, FL.

Clint Park

Director, Business Consulting Group Sovereign’s Capital

Clint Park is the Director of the Business Consulting Group at Sovereign’s Capital. In this role, Clint works with multi-generational family businesses and faith-based businesses practically applying biblical wisdom to build healthy, valuable businesses. This work includes business succession planning, strategic planning, corporate culture formation, and corporate and family governance facilitation.

Prior to joining the company, Clint served seven years with Ronald Blue Trust in their Business Consulting Division performing similar work. Before joining Ronald Blue Trust, he worked with middle market business owners for over 15 years, providing commercial and investment banking advisory services.

Clint earned an MBA in Finance/Strategy from the University of North Carolina and graduated summa cum laude with a Finance degree from Villanova University.

Clint is an active member of his local church and has led several mission trips to Haiti. Clint and his wife, Robin, live in Canton, GA and have a teenage son and a daughter.

Joe Pringle

President, NCF Chicago

Joe joined NCF in 2017. His unique understanding of the complexities of family business stems from his own experience acquiring Belmont Steel Corporation in 1984. Six years later, Joe purchased National Steel Service Center in Evanston and merged it with Belmont Steel Corporation. As President and CEO, he led the growth and successful sale of the combined company in 1998. Joe’s background includes a variety of private equity investments and working at a Chicago based multi-family office.

No stranger to the near north and west side of Chicago, Joe has a heart for the city’s underserved youth. He has served as board chair and chairman of the capital campaign for Holy Family Ministries, a faith-based pre-K through 8th grade school.

Since 2009, he has also been part of the Board of Directors of Chicago Fellowship, a group of businessmen in downtown Chicago who meet weekly for prayer, accountability, and encouragement as brothers in Christ. The Fellowship also inspires men to become generous stewards of their lives through participation in strategic acts of justice and compassion in the broken places of this world.

Joe holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He and his wife, Tami, have been married for 43 years. They currently reside in Barrington, Illinois, and have 4 married adult children and 9 grandchildren. Joe and Tami have been active members at Lutheran Church of Atonement in Barrington for over 39 years.

Cam Rogers

Partner at Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP

Romney C. (Cam) Rogers, Jr., focuses his legal practice in estate planning, real estate and corporate law because he loves working with individuals, families and businesses. Cam’s experience and his continued education (LL.M. – Masters of Laws in Estate Planning) in the area of estate planning has given his client’s confidence in his ability to help them plan for the harmonious transfer of wealth, whether that is through estate planning or family business succession planning. Cam serves his business and individual clients in the practice areas of Estate Planning and Probate, Business Contracts, Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Succession Planning, Banking, Real Estate Transactions and Commercial and Real Estate Litigation.

Cam is a fourth-generation lawyer. Like his predecessors, he is deeply involved in the Fort Lauderdale community.  He currently serves on the Broward County Salvation Army’s Advisory Board. Cam is a founder of Sons of Bosses, LLC which focuses on equipping-next generation business leaders to preserve and advance their family businesses. Additionally, Cam co-founded the Fort Lauderdale based Young Professionals group that focuses on developing next-generation Servant Leaders.  Cam and his wife, Kelly, live in downtown Fort Lauderdale and are active members of the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, where they have served as vice chairman of the deacons and trustee. Cam is an avid golfer having played golf for Samford University.

Romney Rogers

Managing Partner at Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP

Romney Rogers has been a positive fixture in Fort Lauderdale, FL for over forty four years. Romney has acted as an advisor, advocate and trusted partner to a wide array of clients within the greater Fort Lauderdale community in the areas of estate planning, probate, business and real estate as well as commercial and probate litigation. Romney has also worked with families who have family businesses. His understanding of how these entities operate and the skills required have enabled him to become an indispensable asset to those he serves.

Romney’s commitment to Fort Lauderdale is unmatched. With over thirty five years of service in positions including the past chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (2003); president of the Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club (1986); president of Stranahan House, Inc. (1988); graduate of Leadership Broward (1988) and Leadership Florida (1991); and the inaugural class of Lifework Leadership (2007). He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, where he has served as trustee, as well as chairman of the deacons. Romney was elected to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission in 2009. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Broward Housing Partnership and co-chair of the Fort Lauderdale Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee for a number of years. Romney currently serves as a board member of Habitat For Humanity.

Romney grew up in downtown Fort Lauderdale and is still there today with his wife, Candace. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. Romney enjoys playing golf, watching sports, and spending time with his family.

David Schairer

President, NCF Lancaster

David Schairer has been married to his college sweetheart, Beth for 35 years.  They have five children which include two sons-in-law, and one granddaughter!  When David isn’t spending time with his family at their home in Lititz, PA he is serving as the President of the Lancaster Office of the National Christian Foundation.  David and his team at NCF Lancaster serve God’s givers by helping them develop their own unique giving strategy to best mobilize their resources for the Kingdom ministries they are most passionate about.  

David is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds his CFP and Kingdom Advisors certifications. He has spent the last 36 years in the financial services industry. His career included 30 years with Thrivent, running a successful advisor practice for 10 years, and serving in field leadership for 20 years.   

When David isn’t spending time with his children or grandchildren, he and Beth enjoy hiking, working in their yard, and spending time at the beach.

Joel Smyer

President, NCF North Texas

Joel Smyer guides National Christian Foundation North Texas as its founding President and General Counsel. Prior to helping launch the foundation, Joel was a partner in a Fort Worth law firm where he practiced law in various areas of civil litigation. Joel is a graduate of Baylor University (1990) and Baylor University School of Law (1993). He is married to Laura and together they are parents to six kids.

Stephan Tchividjian

President and Co-Founder, NCF South Florida

Stephan Tchividjian serves as Co-Founder and President of the National Christian Foundation South Florida, and the Co-Executive Director of Lifework Leadership South Florida. He has more than 25 years of experience serving on a variety of boards of directors and leadership teams for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Stephan has lived in South Florida since 1979 where he and his wife, Lisa, have raised their five children. Stephan earned his B.A. Degree in Finance from Florida Atlantic University and was ordained in 1994. The eldest grandson of Billy Graham, Stephan proudly carries on his family’s tradition of ministry.