Category: America Associates

Executive Associate

Colleen Thomas is a dynamic and strategic marketing and communications executive and consultant, with over 25 years of experience spanning strategy, business transformation, and market & competitive research. Known for her ability to solve complex challenges and drive meaningful change, Colleen partners with organizations to translate vision into actionable strategy and measurable results.

Colleen brings a visionary yet practical approach to her consulting work, helping nonprofit and mission-driven organizations strengthen their positioning, expand reach, and deepen stakeholder engagement. Colleen has worked on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability teams, and led communications campaigns for Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, Habitat for Humanity Women Build, Walk to Defeat ALS, and several other funding campaigns for local nonprofits.

She is a longtime volunteer with numerous national and international charities and served on the Board of Friends of the Haven, a 501C-3 nonprofit supporting women and children in a rehabilitation environment. A tireless advocate for social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, Colleen and is deeply committed to improving economic and health outcomes for women and children.

Colleen has led cross-functional and international teams across Fortune 500 organizations and startups in technology, healthcare, education, media & entertainment, engineering, and finance. Her work is distinguished by a proven track record of transforming organizations through integrated marketing strategy and channel development. She has successfully led large-scale, multi-national campaigns and initiatives, combining strategic insight with hands-on execution to deliver sustainable outcomes.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Colorado State University.

Area of Expertise:
Colleen’s core expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement and Strategic Planning. She also has experience in Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies, Individual Giving, Planned Giving, and Corporate Sponsorships. Colleen also has professional expertise in Project Management, Data Analytics and Compliance.

Experience:
Education, Healthcare, Arts & Culture, Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have:
An important mission, a strong prospect database, and a targeted, engaging communications plan. You have to know who you want to bring to the table, and how to get them there.

Executive Associate

Morris W. Price Jr. is a dynamic and results-oriented executive with over three decades of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, government, and the higher education sectors. He has a proven ability to lead with a strategic vision, and uses financial, programmatic, advocacy and communication resources while fostering an inclusive and collaborative organizational culture.

He is acknowledged for designing and executing effective initiatives that advance equity, foster systemic change, and support a range of causes, issues, and communities. His extensive knowledge of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations at both local and national levels enables him to leverage strategic relationships, mobilizing resources and partnerships to drive significant and lasting change.

Morris has a proven record in mentoring rising leaders, diverse teams, fostering collaboration, and building community relationships to drive impactful change and align with organizational mission.

In these capacities Morris has served as Vice President Grants and Impact, The Colorado Trust, Vice President and Executive Director, City Year Denver, District Director U.S. House of Representatives, Colorado 1st Congressional District, National Program Officer the Gill Foundation, Director of University, College and Community Relations the Daniels Fund, Associate Dean & Director of Undergraduate Admission, University of Denver, and Associate Dean & Director of Multicultural Admission, Depauw University.

Morris currently serves as the Chair of the Board for the Colorado Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority, President, Board of Directors Philanthropy Colorado, Secretary, Board of Trustees Rose Community Foundation, Board Member, Board of Directors, Colorado State University, and Secretary, Board of Directors, Denver Impact Fund.

His contributions have earned him significant recognition, including the Swanee Hunt Individual Leadership Award, the MLK Business Social Responsibility Award, Denver Urban Spectrum 25 Most Influential African Americans, and the NAACP Civil Rights & Social Justice Advocacy Commerce Award.

Morris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.

Area of Expertise: Morris’s core expertise is in Board Training, Management and Governance. He also excels in leadership coaching, organizational assessment, and community engagement

Sector Experience: Arts & Culture, Community Based Membership & Advocacy, Education

Fundraising Must Have: Focus on uniting diverse team members to empower communities and promote organizational culture and financial sustainability

Executive Associate

With almost 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kate Sheehan is a seasoned fundraising and institutional advancement expert, with almost half her career spent at Northwestern University, where she rose through the ranks to serve as Director of Principal Gifts, followed by seven years as Senior Director of Development, Presidential Activities, supporting the university President in all fundraising work and serving as the liaison between the president’s office and the 300-member Alumni Relations and Development department.

Kate’s experience also includes five years as the Vice President, Principal Gifts for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has served in senior roles with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Art Institute of Boston, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.

Kate graduated from Indiana University/Bloomington with a BA in English. She holds certificates from University of Chicago and Advancement Resources and is the 2008 recipient of the Garfield Award (Northwestern University).

Area of Expertise: Kate’s predominant expertise is in Major and Principal Gifts. Kate also has extensive experience in Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Board Training, Management and Governance, Planned and Legacy Gifts, Project Management, and Institutional Advocacy.

Experience: Education, Arts & Culture, International Development

Fundraising Must Have: A donor-centric mindset.

Associate

Please meet Rex Fuller, an Associate with S. Sutton & Associates Inc., who brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. Rex is a seasoned fundraising strategist whose expertise spans large-scale campaigns, annual giving, strategic planning, and direct marketing. He is known for his ability to unite stakeholders around bold goals, elevate organizational visibility, and deliver measurable impact.

Rex’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing equity, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. As Chief Executive Officer of The Center on Colfax, he led the development of two comprehensive three-year strategic plans, expanding services to include free mental health programs, disability initiatives, and young adult programming. Rex successfully navigated the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, creating innovative virtual programming, including the first televised “virtual pride parade,” and spearheaded high-profile initiatives such as Stonewall 50, a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Previously, as Vice President of Communications and Corporate Giving at The Center, Rex expanded corporate partnerships, oversaw brand transformation, and launched a new online information hub for the LGBTQ+ community. His leadership extended to producing Denver PrideFest, which attracts over 500,000 visitors and generates $1.5 million annually, and growing the Pride 5K from 200 to 4,000 runners, generating over $100,000 annually while introducing a peer-to-peer fundraising model.

Furthermore, Rex’s expertise extends to arts and culture, having served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Opera Colorado and in senior marketing roles at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Boulder Philharmonic. There, he combined creative vision with strategic marketing to broaden audiences, forge community partnerships, and launch city-wide cultural festivals.

At S. Sutton & Associates Inc., Rex applies his expertise in fundraising campaigns, annual giving, and strategic planning to help clients clarify their goals, activate board leadership, and inspire donor communities. His work is guided by the belief that successful fundraising begins with a clear vision and is sustained by authentic connections and shared purpose.

Area of Expertise: Rex’s predominant expertise is in Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning. He also has extensive experience in Annual Giving and Direct Marketing Experience: Arts & Culture, Community Based Membership and Advocacy.

Sector Experience: Arts & Culture, Community Based Membership and Advocacy.

Fundraising Must Have: Successful fundraising requires a clear goal, committed board leadership, and a compelling mission that inspires others.

Junior Associate

With more than 5 years of experience in marketing and communications within the nonprofit sector, Helen Grafton specializes in social media management, project/event management and content creation.

Helen’s expertise includes marketing and development of healthcare and higher education institutions. Some of her previous experience includes multiple roles at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She began her nonprofit fundraising career in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

Helen graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication.

Area of Expertise: Helen’s predominant expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement. She also excels in Project Management. Direct Marketing, and Alumni Relations and Giving.

Experience: Education, Healthcare

Fundraising Must Have: A compelling and clear mission and story to share

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helengrafton/

Associate

With more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Sterling Garcia has served as Director of Development for Florida State University and the University of Florida, and as Major Gifts Officer for UnidosUS, the largest nonprofit Hispanic/Latino civil rights organization in the United States.  Sterling graduated from the University of Hartford with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and from Florida State University with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration with a minor in Institutional Advancement.  Sterling also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Board Governance & Community Leadership from Alvernia University.  Sterling is also a decorated veteran, having served as a United Stated Marine, receiving several awards including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal and two Humanitarian Service medals.

Area of Expertise: Sterling’s core expertise is in Major and Principal Gifts, supported by experience in Donor and Constituent Engagement, Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Board Training, Management and Governance, Alumni Relations and Giving, Direct Marketing and Annual Giving. 

Experience: Education, Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Fundraising Must Have: A community with a strong culture of philanthropy both inside and outside the organization.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlinggarcia/