David Heinen, JD
NC Center for Nonprofits

David Heinen has been with the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits since 2007, leading the Center’s public policy and advocacy work and providing non-answers (and occasional useful information) about legal compliance, trends in the nonprofit sector, and advocacy to hundreds of nonprofits. He has served on boards of a variety of local and national nonprofits. David is a graduate of Duke University and the William and Mary School of Law. Before returning to North Carolina to work for the Center, David spent seven years as an attorney with a Washington, D.C. law firm serving the nonprofit community. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and three children, the oldest of whom describes her dad as “weathered.”

Jeanette Bax-Kurtz, III, CPA
NCACPA Board of Directors Member

Experienced Board Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in Education, Accounting, Income Tax, Management, Risk Management, Auditing, and Financial Analysis. Strong business development professional with a BSBA with emphasis in Accounting and Math Minor focused in Business Administration and Management from University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, MAC
Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, PC

• Serves as the hub of the team and the primary champion of our mission
• Background in public accounting at a “Big Four” accounting firm, a large local firm, as a sole practitioner, and ultimately (since 2002) as owner of a small firm *Served as Director of Finance and Administration for a nonprofit organization with annual budget in
• excess of $10 million
• Has served as a popular instructor on nonprofit financial topics through Duke University’s Nonprofit Management Program, for continuing education programs for CPAs, and at conferences
• Board member and volunteer in the nonprofit community and the accounting profession
• Pronouns: she/her
• Mig is licensed by the N.C. State Board of CPA Examiners, license # 30757

Jeanette Bax-Kurtz, III, CPA
Experienced Board Officer

Experienced Board Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in Education, Accounting, Income Tax, Management, Risk Management, Auditing, and Financial Analysis. Strong business development professional with a BSBA with emphasis in Accounting and Math Minor focused in Business Administration and Management from University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Eve Rose Borenstein, JD
Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC

Eve currently (since 5/1/2019) practices law as Of Counsel at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP, a Washington, DC firm specializing in nonprofit organizations. In the preceding 30 years, she operated her own law firm, a national tax and compliance practice dedicated to the nonprofit sector (BAM Law Office LLC). Residing in Minneapolis, Eve from both firms has always worked with nonprofit organizations (NPOs) throughout the country, primarily assisting clients with: tax-exemption qualification, overall exempt organizations (EO) tax planning, non-federal tax compliance (chiefly concerning state law mandates and federal grant reporting obligations), and best management practices. Through 2019, she had represented more than 1,100 EOs before the IRS on audit examinations, status issues, ruling requests, and exemption qualification. Eve equally enjoys IRS controversy work and assisting clients with finding and implementing practical approaches to their tax planning needs or structural and collaborative issues, as well as governance challenges.

Eve also teaches NPOs and their advisors about the world of EO compliance, doing so from her teaching consultancy, Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC. Her love of designing and presenting seminars on “tax rules” is evident, and she is well-known for her Form 990 preparation courses (Eve’s two full-day Form 990 courses were licensed to the AICPA for use in the 2013-2019 CPE-years). This year, Eve developed and introduced 14 webinars on the 990 – 10 of those encompassing a comprehensive “foundational series” (and three for those who have already attained “990-Ninja” status!)

Eve’s teaching has been informed not only by her familiarity with federal tax precepts and other arenas of NPOs’ compliance needs, but by her extensive professional committee involvement. She was a key private-sector participant with the IRS in the preceding decade’s redesign of the Form 990; is an active participant in the American Bar Association’s Tax Section EO Committee; liaisons to the AICPA’s EO Tax Resource Panel; and is Co-Chair of the TEGE Exempt Organizations Council’s TIC-TAQ Committee (the latter brings EO tax advisors into colloquy with the IRS EO Division Director and Chief Counsel (EEE)’s Officials three times a year). In championing the sector’s goal of compliance without complexity, Eve works tirelessly to bring feedback to the IRS on exempt organization forms, procedural issues, and need for improved guidance and regulations. Her goal has always been to ensure that “NPOs (have the tools to) do it right the first time!”

Among the many honors Eve has received in the last decade are her presentation of invited testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight in their July 2012 hearing on the IRS’ oversight and use of the Form 990 (she was introduced as “Queen of the 990”!), and being honored with the 2018 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer Award by the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section.

Linda Widdop
Tech Impact

As the Director of Client Solutions and Education, Linda is the best person to contact with questions about how Tech Impact can work for your nonprofit. She understands our services and how nonprofits use technology.

Aleksander Joseph Bevensee, CPA
Elliott Davis

Alek frequently guest lectures at universities and industry conferences on the topics of data analytics, business intelligence, and data visualization. He aids companies in unlocking the full power of their financial and operational data to find solutions to complex challenges. From executing in-depth statistical analyses to building c-suite-friendly dashboards, customers value Alek’s ability to deliver effective solutions with substantial ROI.

Jeanette Bax-Kurtz, III, CPA
Experienced Board Officer

Experienced Board Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. Skilled in Education, Accounting, Income Tax, Management, Risk Management, Auditing, and Financial Analysis. Strong business development professional with a BSBA with emphasis in Accounting and Math Minor focused in Business Administration and Management from University of Missouri-Saint Louis.

Eve Rose Borenstein, JD
Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC

Eve currently (since 5/1/2019) practices law as Of Counsel at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP, a Washington, DC firm specializing in nonprofit organizations. In the preceding 30 years, she operated her own law firm, a national tax and compliance practice dedicated to the nonprofit sector (BAM Law Office LLC). Residing in Minneapolis, Eve from both firms has always worked with nonprofit organizations (NPOs) throughout the country, primarily assisting clients with: tax-exemption qualification, overall exempt organizations (EO) tax planning, non-federal tax compliance (chiefly concerning state law mandates and federal grant reporting obligations), and best management practices. Through 2019, she had represented more than 1,100 EOs before the IRS on audit examinations, status issues, ruling requests, and exemption qualification. Eve equally enjoys IRS controversy work and assisting clients with finding and implementing practical approaches to their tax planning needs or structural and collaborative issues, as well as governance challenges.

Eve also teaches NPOs and their advisors about the world of EO compliance, doing so from her teaching consultancy, Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC. Her love of designing and presenting seminars on “tax rules” is evident, and she is well-known for her Form 990 preparation courses (Eve’s two full-day Form 990 courses were licensed to the AICPA for use in the 2013-2019 CPE-years). This year, Eve developed and introduced 14 webinars on the 990 – 10 of those encompassing a comprehensive “foundational series” (and three for those who have already attained “990-Ninja” status!)

Eve’s teaching has been informed not only by her familiarity with federal tax precepts and other arenas of NPOs’ compliance needs, but by her extensive professional committee involvement. She was a key private-sector participant with the IRS in the preceding decade’s redesign of the Form 990; is an active participant in the American Bar Association’s Tax Section EO Committee; liaisons to the AICPA’s EO Tax Resource Panel; and is Co-Chair of the TEGE Exempt Organizations Council’s TIC-TAQ Committee (the latter brings EO tax advisors into colloquy with the IRS EO Division Director and Chief Counsel (EEE)’s Officials three times a year). In championing the sector’s goal of compliance without complexity, Eve works tirelessly to bring feedback to the IRS on exempt organization forms, procedural issues, and need for improved guidance and regulations. Her goal has always been to ensure that “NPOs (have the tools to) do it right the first time!”

Among the many honors Eve has received in the last decade are her presentation of invited testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight in their July 2012 hearing on the IRS’ oversight and use of the Form 990 (she was introduced as “Queen of the 990”!), and being honored with the 2018 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer Award by the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section.

Marci S. Thomas, CPA, MHA
Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is Director of Accounting Content with Surgent. She is also an author and presenter on various nonprofit, healthcare, and governmental topics to nonprofits, CPA firms, and state societies of CPAs around the country. Marci is a clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She teaches courses in governance, financial management, grants accounting, strategy, and various operational topics. Marci works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.

Kristen Thoresen Hoyle, CPA
Thomas Judy & Tucker, PA

Kristen has been with Thomas, Judy & Tucker, PA, since 1998 and has been a partner since 2001. She has almost 30 years of experience in public accounting. Kristen’s industry experience extends to the following * Government and Not-for-profit * Real estate and construction * Employee benefit plans * Due diligence * Business planning * Litigation support

Currently, Kristen serves as a core team leader for AGN’s national not-for-profit share group. This group is responsible for the coordination of training and conferences related to the not-for-profit industry for AGN member firms. Additionally, she has led numerous seminars on the IRS form 990, the new 403(b) rules, and religious organization accounting topics. She is also on the NCACPA Not-for-Profit Committee and is a speaker at the annual conference. During 2016, Kristen was elected to the board of directors of the NCACPA and is serving a three-year term. Her practice focus is primarily related to not-for-profit audit and assurance services.

Kristen earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from S.U.N.Y Brockport in 1987. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Kristen is a North Carolina-licensed CPA and has held licenses in New York and Minnesota. Kristen is up-to-date on all CPE in order to perform audits in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.

Eve Rose Borenstein, JD
Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC

Eve currently (since 5/1/2019) practices law as Of Counsel at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP, a Washington, DC firm specializing in nonprofit organizations. In the preceding 30 years, she operated her own law firm, a national tax and compliance practice dedicated to the nonprofit sector (BAM Law Office LLC). Residing in Minneapolis, Eve from both firms has always worked with nonprofit organizations (NPOs) throughout the country, primarily assisting clients with: tax-exemption qualification, overall exempt organizations (EO) tax planning, non-federal tax compliance (chiefly concerning state law mandates and federal grant reporting obligations), and best management practices. Through 2019, she had represented more than 1,100 EOs before the IRS on audit examinations, status issues, ruling requests, and exemption qualification. Eve equally enjoys IRS controversy work and assisting clients with finding and implementing practical approaches to their tax planning needs or structural and collaborative issues, as well as governance challenges.

Eve also teaches NPOs and their advisors about the world of EO compliance, doing so from her teaching consultancy, Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC. Her love of designing and presenting seminars on “tax rules” is evident, and she is well-known for her Form 990 preparation courses (Eve’s two full-day Form 990 courses were licensed to the AICPA for use in the 2013-2019 CPE-years). This year, Eve developed and introduced 14 webinars on the 990 – 10 of those encompassing a comprehensive “foundational series” (and three for those who have already attained “990-Ninja” status!)

Eve’s teaching has been informed not only by her familiarity with federal tax precepts and other arenas of NPOs’ compliance needs, but by her extensive professional committee involvement. She was a key private-sector participant with the IRS in the preceding decade’s redesign of the Form 990; is an active participant in the American Bar Association’s Tax Section EO Committee; liaisons to the AICPA’s EO Tax Resource Panel; and is Co-Chair of the TEGE Exempt Organizations Council’s TIC-TAQ Committee (the latter brings EO tax advisors into colloquy with the IRS EO Division Director and Chief Counsel (EEE)’s Officials three times a year). In championing the sector’s goal of compliance without complexity, Eve works tirelessly to bring feedback to the IRS on exempt organization forms, procedural issues, and need for improved guidance and regulations. Her goal has always been to ensure that “NPOs (have the tools to) do it right the first time!”

Among the many honors Eve has received in the last decade are her presentation of invited testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight in their July 2012 hearing on the IRS’ oversight and use of the Form 990 (she was introduced as “Queen of the 990”!), and being honored with the 2018 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer Award by the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section.

Vonna Laue, CPA

Vonna Laue has worked with nonprofits and churches for 25 years. Vonna was a partner for a national CPA firm serving not-for-profit entities through audit and consulting services. Subsequently, she held the role of executive vice president for an organization that works to enhance trust in the church and ministry community. She is currently serving organizations through financial and operational consulting engagements including roles as CFO/COO.

Vonna earned her B.S. degree from Black Hills State University and her MBA degree in leadership and human resource management from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She currently serves on three national and international boards and has published articles in multiple national publications as well as co-authored three books. Her speaking experience includes a variety of regional and national conferences.

Gracie Johnson-Lopez
Diversity & HR Solutions

Gracie is the founder and President of Diversity & HR Solutions, where her passion, profession and purpose, empowers individuals and transforms workplaces. Gracie obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from NCCU and a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Duke University. She is a certified diversity & inclusion professional and holds a leadership certificate from Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College. Gracie believes in giving back and being a voice for those not at the table. Her community work includes serving on numerous boards to include Dress for Success of the Triangle, Executive Service Corp, Durham Chamber of Commerce, Black Women in Business, TSHRM and previous Board Presidents of Durham Technical Community College Foundation and the Durham Center for Senior Life. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Gracie held senior level HR executive positions for 25 years in academia and industry. She uses those experiences to address implicit bias, gender inequality and cultural diversity by speaking and training nationally. Although challenging, she forges ahead believing “What’s within me is stronger than what’s in my way.”