The role of an Essentials of Development coach is to come alongside the participants from each organization to strengthen their fundraising through the 6 Essentials and guide them through the training program. Coaches are independent contractors for the program and are paid by the Trust. In addition to the two in-person training sessions, organizations receive 8 hours of virtual coaching and 8 hours of in-person coaching. The in-person coaching includes the coach accompanying the development team on two donor asks, and the coach meeting with both the development team and the board. See below for more information on these development experts, all of whom are active practitioners of the Essentials methods!
Essentials of Development Coaches #
Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group since 2010, brings 30+ years of fundraising expertise. He launched the Taking Donors Seriously® program in 2013 and has led major campaigns totaling over $366M for organizations including Dallas Theological Seminary, InterVarsity, and The Bowery Mission. Beyond fundraising, Brad founded Endless Summer Realty (St. Augustine's largest brokerage), co-founded Veritas Classical School, and initiated St. Augustine's Giving Day ($2.5M+ raised). He holds degrees from University of Florida (B.A. Communications) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A. Theology). An endurance athlete with 72 marathons and two Ironman completions, plus a private pilot's license earned in 2025, Brad lives in St. Augustine with his wife Wendy and their four children.
Amy Karjala, Senior Consultant, brings over 25 years of nonprofit experience, serving in various direct fundraising and leadership roles. After earning a degree in International Business from George Fox University, she returned to the university as Director of Foundation Relations and rose through the ranks to ultimately serve as Executive Director of Development. Since then, Amy has been consulting, coaching, teaching, and training nonprofits to rethink their approach to revenue, especially fundraising. Most recently, Amy served as Chief Program Officer for the RevJen Group. Amy lives in Oregon with her family and “bonus” family, travels regularly to find sunshine, and pursues her love of good tea.
David is the son of two doctors, born in Kenya to a family of Indian descent. His family moved to Canada in 1968 and settled in Calgary. He got involved in Young Life in high school and after graduating university, joined YL staff in 1988. He has served as an Area Director, Regional Director, Divisional Director and Vice President. He and Kelly met at Malibu camp in 1991. Kelly worked for YL in Seattle, Washington at the time; they were married in 1992. They moved to Oakville Ontario in 2003 and spent 18 years in Ontario developing and strengthening the ministry. He moved to British Columbia in 2021 to take on the role of President. David and Kelly have three married adult sons and two grandchildren.
Deborah Wilds has dedicated her professional career and board service to expanding educational opportunities for students of color and low-income students. Dr. Wilds has had a distinguished career in education as a speech teacher, founder of an independent primary school, deputy director at a national higher education association, philanthropy officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as serving as president of a leading college access organization. She’s served on over 20 boards ranging from K-12 education to higher education to non-profit boards. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland College Park. She and her husband, Fred, reside in Sacramento, CA.
Doug Terpening serves as the Executive Director of the Reid Saunders Association. His academic background includes a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master of Divinity from Multnomah University. With over two decades spent serving in the nonprofit sector, Doug has been fortunate to help organizations navigate growth, health, and team development. He has had the opportunity to start non-profits from zero to thriving, as well as help grow existing organizations. Throughout his journey, he has focused on building meaningful donor partnerships and learning how to resource organizations effectively. Doug and his wife, Andrea, have four children and one grandchild. Outside of work, they find great joy in hosting gatherings for young adults at their home, camping in Oregon’s beautiful mountains, or playing pickleball.
Dr. Hector Cruz, Consultant at The FOCUS Group, holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Evangel University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) with Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. His extensive experience spans university development, capital campaigns, alumni engagement, and leading U.S. development teams for international nonprofits. Hector serves as adjunct faculty at Evangel University, teaching leadership and higher education. Deeply committed to community service, he serves on boards, coaches youth sports, and volunteers at his church. He lives in Southwest Missouri with his wife, Eden, and three children.
Janet Stump, Consultant at The FOCUS Group, brings over 35 years’ fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience, guiding organizations and teams to fulfil their missions through strategic thinking and relational fundraising success. Her experience ranges from local Christian/charter schools, international associations and foundations, to world missions. Most recently, Jan was Executive Director – ACSI Education Foundation, and Executive Director for Global Resources – The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM). Jan holds an MA in literature from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Since 2001 she has continuously held the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation. Jan and her husband, Don, reside in Colorado Springs, CO and enjoy tent camping, hiking, and their six amazing grandchildren.
Jeremy is passionate about connecting people to meaningful missions and building pathways for community impact. He serves as Executive Director of NW Furniture Bank, operating locations in Tacoma and Vancouver, Washington. He has worked with the organization since 2013 in various roles, including Director of Development. Jeremy graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Speech Communication. He spent six years working with local nonprofit organizations, followed by four years working with an NGO in Costa Rica. He then spent eight years in the financial services sector before returning to the nonprofit sector, bringing a broad, cross-sector perspective to his leadership. Jeremy lives in Gig Harbor, Washington, alongside his wife of 27 years. They love to spend their time chasing their grown children around the world and their dog around the yard.
For the past two decades John has led student success programs and workforce-education partnerships throughout Oregon, most recently building community grant initiatives supporting local and statewide nonprofits. John also served as the Executive Director at College Possible Oregon, a nonprofit with a national reach helping underserved and first-generation students enter post-secondary education spaces. He holds business degrees from Portland State University and the University of Oregon, along with graduate executive training in nonprofit development from Boston University. When not dreaming up ways to tap into the potential of the next generation through education and workforce development, you’ll find John enjoying his family and a freshly brewed cup of coffee—always black.
Nancy has been on staff for 48 years at Warm Beach Camp Ministries in Stanwood, WA, serving in many roles. She began writing grant proposals 46 years ago. For the past 28 years, Nancy has worked in the Development Department, first full-time, as the Director of Development, and currently part-time as Director of Donor Relations. During this time, she directed two major capital campaigns. Since 2010, Nancy has been on the faculty of the Murdock Trust’s Essentials of Development. For many years, she taught development as part of the Christian Camps and Conference Association’s Thriving Boards training. Nancy holds a B.S. Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from U.C. Davis, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA. Nancy’s all-time favorite job description is “Grandma.”
Ray serves as the Executive Director of The Canby Center, an Oregon-based nonprofit known for its transformative approach to poverty by renewing human dignity. With a nonprofit career spanning 25 years, he has consistently demonstrated strategic acumen and a relentless commitment to driving social change. An alum of The University of Portland, Ray holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Nonprofit Management. His accolades include a Certificate in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) from Indiana University and esteemed recognition as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Ray loves spending time with his family in Oregon’s mountains, rivers, and lakes.
Evangeline brings over 17 years of nonprofit experience and a wealth of fundraising and project management knowledge to her role as Consultant and Director of Project Management at The FOCUS Group. In her current role, Evangeline serves as development consultant and campaign counsel helping organizations enhance their organizational infrastructure and financial sustainability. Her development and operations experience ranges from higher education to world missions, and from local to national organizations. Evangeline earned her undergraduate degree from George Fox University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She lives in Camas, Washington, and spends her time investing in friends and family, crewing for hot air balloons, and leaning into her passion project, the Don’t Give Up Movement.