Celebrating Recently Promoted Staff at Propel 

Please join us in celebrating recently promoted staff whose leadership and expertise will help shape programming, strengthen our infrastructure, and continue to ensure Propel is a go-to resource for nonprofits!

Heather Allen, Fiscal Sponsorship Program Senior Consultant 

Heather draws on her experiences as a community developer, artist, teacher, and nonprofit administrator in her work at Propel. Her promotion celebrates her dedication to supporting emerging nonprofit organizations as they grow their capacity, her commitment to equity and justice in the nonprofit sector, and her work in co-developing Propel’s Emerging Organizations Cohort. Read her bio>>> 

Garrett Backes, Chief Advancement Officer 

Garrett has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has built philanthropic and governmental partnerships in support of a variety of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. The role of Chief Advancement Officer is new at Propel, and Garrett’s promotion is reflective of his leadership and track record of bringing in resources to support the growth of the organization. With this new role, Garrett will work in a senior leadership role to increase Propel’s impact in the sector and beyond. Read his bio>>> 

Darrell Beauford, Senior Accounting & Finance Consultant  

Darrell views nonprofit finance as another way to tell an organization’s story. He understands the transformational change that comes with an organization’s ability to connect money and mission. His promotion reflects his dedication to his clients and the trust he builds with them, and his skill and experience in nonprofit accounting and finance. Read his bio>>> 

Laura Ciotti, Fiscal Sponsorship Program Director  

Laura has transformed Propel’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program into one that equips nonprofits with the tools they need to succeed, continually supports nonprofits in their growth, and offers them autonomy in their lifecycle. Her promotion is reflective of her leadership in the Fiscal Sponsorship field and the organization, and her co-development of Propel’s Emerging Organizations Cohort. Read her bio>>> 

Mario Hernandez, Senior Director of Strategic Services 

Mario is an organizational leader and trusted partner to nonprofits with over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. His promotion celebrates his leadership within Propel and across the sector and the impact he and the team he leads have on almost 100 nonprofits a year. Read his bio>>> 

John Skillings, Senior Accounting & Finance Consultant 

John is a trusted partner to many nonprofits. As an accounting and finance consultant, he works with nonprofits to grow their skills and confidence in financial management which often leads to greater sustainability and opportunity for organizations. His promotion reflects his dedication to his clients and the trust he builds with them, and his skill and experience in nonprofit accounting and finance. Read his bio>>>