Communicating for Philanthropy and Development

The Inaugural Ann and David Chappell lecture is a two-day event featuring the following guests from non-profit organizations in the Forth Worth area who are working to end homelessness. They will host an open Q&A session during this meeting of the Communicating for Philanthropy and Development class.

Toby Owen is the CEO of the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth, with over 25 years of experience in the social services sector. He has overseen multiple expansions of the shelter’s housing programs, facilities and services, and partnered with Ham to launch UpSpire, an employment-focused social enterprise.

Kirsten Ham is the Vice President of Workforce & Career Development at the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth, and is the founder of UpSpire. UpSpire’s mission is to create employment opportunities that remove or reduce barriers that contribute to homelessness.

Kenneth Barr is a governmental relations and public affairs consultant with BC Collaborations. Barr was elected Mayor of Fort Worth four times, serving from 1996 until retiring in 2003. Before being elected Mayor he served three years as a member of the City Council.

Gary Patterson is a celebrated UT football coach who co-founded The Big Good with Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges. The Big Good is an annual fundraising event that benefits nonprofits that promote brighter futures for North Texas.

Kelsey Patterson is the secretary and treasurer of the Gary Patterson Foundation, and a Fort Worth native who has served in a variety of roles and organizations to help her community, by strengthening public education in some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods of Fort Worth, and managing the concept and formation of The Big Good.