Staff
Learn about the GrantStation team!
We're Better Together
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GrantStation’s mission is to create a civil society by assisting the nonprofit sector in its quest to build healthy and effective communities. Healthy and effective communities flourish when they are inclusive, diverse, and equitable.
GrantStation empowers its employees to bring their whole, authentic selves to work. We advance the growth of a civil society by respecting the unique dignity of each individual. You can learn more about each of our staff members below along with our contact information.
Cecily Borzillo
Director of Site Technology
Cecily Borzillo is the Director of Site Technology for GrantStation. She oversees the technical side of the GrantStation website. She has a B.A. focused in Oboe Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
Contact Cecily if you have general feedback about the website. If you have questions on how to use the website, contact info@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.
Jill Cochran
Director of Marketing
Jill assists in all facets of GrantStation’s internal and external marketing programs, including maintaining our social media accounts, managing our Partner Depot program, and assisting in marketing. She has earned a Social Marketing Certification. Jill has worked in libraries and has over 15 years of experience in digital and print media advertising.
Contact Jill to learn more about Partner Depot programs, marketing, or our social media.
David Gates
Senior Director of Online Education
David is the Senior Director of Online Education for GrantStation. He holds an M.Ed. and has been working in education for nearly ten years. He has lived abroad in Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, France, and Bulgaria. He has extensive teaching experience and has helped professionals in a variety of industries develop great communication skills. Currently, David spends his free time outdoors hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and camping.
Contact David if you have questions about our online education offerings.
Cait Kindig
Director of Content Operations
Cait Kindig leads editorial strategy, research, and daily operations to deliver clear, high-quality content. With experience in tech journalism and content operations across agencies, the Parliament of Canada, tech institutions, and universities, she specializes in guiding editorial teams and translating complex ideas into engaging, research-driven stories.
Her work has appeared in Towards Data Science (Medium), Black Rose Books, CityNews Montréal, Investopedia, and The Tribune. She holds a BA in English - Cultural Studies and Communications from McGill University. Based in Montréal, Cait volunteers with journalism, reproductive health, and ultimate frisbee organizations across the U.S. and Canada, and enjoys skiing, sailing, knitting, and exploring the city with her dog, Harriet.
Ellen Mowrer
Chief Executive Officer
Ellen is responsible for corporate administration and operations. In addition, she works with both clients and the GrantStation team in program adoption and management. She also produces the annual State of Grantseeking™ Survey and Reports.
Ellen is a board member emeritus for Music for Everyone, an organization that cultivates the power of music for education and community building. While a board member, she and her husband painted a piano each year for Keys for the City, an initiative that places pianos in public spaces for public use. She is active in the fight against puppy mills, supporting mill-survivor rescue, foster, and adoption organizations, with four rescues of her own.
Contact Ellen to learn more about our business, programs, and surveys.
David Preis
Senior Vice President of Member Services & Technology
David serves as the Senior Vice President of Member Services and Technology, managing customer service processes and website functionality. David's work experience includes Thrivent Financial Services, Best Buy, and North Country Grocery Cooperative. He is involved with voter issues and works for Minneapolis elections. He also plays with various local bands, including Brass Solidarity.
Contact David if you have general feedback about the website. If you have questions on how to use the website, contact info@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.
Alice Ruhnke
President of Education and Outreach
Alice is the President of Education and Outreach for GrantStation. She joined the team after 20 years of working in or with the nonprofit community. In the trenches, she raised over $45 million and worked with hundreds of organizations to help them increase their capacity to raise funds. Alice is the organization's content expert and is responsible for online education, partnership development, and working with the talented GrantStation staff to provide quality resources to help the nonprofit community secure funding. Alice received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Relations and Master of Arts degree in Education/Counseling Psychology from the University of Connecticut.
In August 2013, she completed a Certificate Program in Appreciative Inquiry from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management. Alice also earned the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential in 2025, a distinguished certification that recognizes expertise in grantsmanship through a rigorous, experience-based examination.
Contact Alice to discuss partnering with GrantStation or advancing the work of the nonprofit sector.
Miranda Shepherd
Content Manager
Miranda collaborates on GrantStation’s editorial strategy, supports the Research Specialists, and ensures the accuracy of funder records in the database. She has over four years of experience in content strategy and communications, working across the education, arts and culture, and nonprofit sectors. Her past work includes leading national awareness campaigns, community outreach, freelance writing and editing, and streamlining editorial processes. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy from McGill University and is passionate about mission-driven storytelling and making resources more accessible to communities.
Jeremy Smith
Learning and Engagement Specialist
Jeremy hosts events for Online Education, administers our multiple Insider newsletters, develops media content for the website, and handles GrantStation's internal and external tech issues. He has a B.A. in Journalism and has been on-air for both commerical and nonprofit radio stations in Alaska.
Contact Jeremy if you have questions regarding any of our Insider mailings or if you are seeking a past webinar recording.
Lauren Toensing
Research Specialist
Lauren works on updating the funder records in our database. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Art History from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She served four years as a member of Epistemai, a volunteer-based undergraduate philosophy journal run through the University of Minnesota, including two years as president. She has work experience in education, and has filled a customer service role for GrantStation in the past.
If you have questions about our grantmaker listings, contact research@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.
Nancy Vargo
Member Service Representative
If you're already a Member or considering Membership, Nancy is ready to answer your calls and emails about GrantStation! Nancy is highly specialized in project management coordination, and her work experience also includes data analytics and reporting support for Prudential. She is excited to bring these skills to GrantStation and its Members. Nancy has volunteered for school programs and held various church community positions.
If you have questions about using the website or any other service concerns, contact Nancy at info@grantstation.com or 1-877-784-7268.