Meet the Aurora Grants Team
Our grant writers are independent contractors who adhere to Aurora Grants Policies and Procedures, and sign a Conflict of Interest and Relationship Policy. You may view our standards and Codes of Ethics by clicking here, and you may view some sample testimonials by clicking here.
Linda Kleinhans Beeman, MBA, GPC
Founder and President
Linda is a certified Grants Professional, holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of North Texas, received a Comprehensive Fund Development certificate from Rice University, and is a former Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Houston Chapter Board Member. She is also a member of the Grant Professionals Association’s Southeast Texas Chapter, Houston Philanthropic Society, a past member of Texas Trotters Toastmasters, and a certified AFP Master Trainer.
Linda brings experience gained over twenty-five years in various marketing roles to the field of writing grant proposals. In the for-profit sector, Linda’s expertise stems from working primarily with small- and mid-sized entrepreneurial ventures. This, she believes, was an excellent training ground for working with nonprofits
Before starting her company, Linda was Development Director for Archway Academy, a high school for kids in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. This gave her an insider's perspective on the role that grants play in a nonprofit's comprehensive fundraising efforts.
“Like all entrepreneurs, nonprofit executive directors are driven, passionate, and very focused. Our team approach of working together with them, their development directors and board members, offers optimal opportunities for grant funding success.”
Jennifer K. Pelton, MA, CFRE
Retreat Facilitator and Development Associate
Jennifer joined the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Washington, D.C. as the Director of Development in January 2019 where she was responsible for raising about $4 million annually. For over 25 years, Ms. Pelton's nonprofit fundraising career has spanned arts management and social justice causes. She served as lead fundraiser for the Public Justice Center in Maryland from 2003-2018, where she oversaw the growth of its annual budget from $1 million to $2.3 million.
As a consultant, teacher and facilitator, Ms. Pelton has focused her practice on supporting small shop practitioners and nurturing effective fundraising boards. Ms. Pelton has published numerous articles in the Grassroots Fundraising Journal and the Management Information Exchange Journal. She co-created, along with Linda Beeman, a toolkit to help nonprofit organizations build and implement effective development plans. Together they have taught their methodology to hundreds of professionals and volunteers over the past few years at conferences and board retreats.
Ms. Pelton earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude from Wells College, is a credentialed Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE), and an Association of Fundraising Professionals Master Trainer. She resides with her family in Baltimore, Maryland.
Volunteering at Houston ToolBank
Susan Byrd, BA
Grants Associate
Susan joined Aurora Grants & Consulting in 2014. She has spent her entire career working for Houston area non-profits organizations in various capacities, including the American Heart Association and the Houston Zoo. Susan has an extensive background in individual, corporate, foundation and special event fundraising. She has proven experience with volunteer recruitment and management and her collective knowledge allows her to have a unique understanding of Houston’s vast philanthropic community.
Susan graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in History. Her interest in writing and research compliment her work for Aurora Grants and Consulting and she enjoys working with organizations that strive to make a difference in the world. Understanding the need to give back, Susan enjoys volunteering her time and is active in her children’s school and local community.
Emily Barlow, BS
Grants Associate
Prior to joining Aurora Grants & Consulting in 2016, Emily Barlow worked for eleven years in the philanthropic sector as a founder, program director and development director for several Texas nonprofits. Through her work, Emily gained experience in all phases of nonprofit business including fund development, event planning, volunteer coordination, program management and grant writing.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Edward’s University and performed graduate studies in biochemistry at the University of Texas before choosing to pursue her passion with a career in the nonprofit sector. She is a member of The Junior League of Houston and serves as a volunteer for the Houston Area Women’s Center.
Candace Okin, MA
Grants Associate
Candace Okin joined Aurora Grants in 2017 with nearly 10 years of professional writing, communications and relationship management experience. Having worked as a professional Grant Writer for several nonprofits, Candace effectively raised more than $3.3 million in private and government funds over the course of her career.
She has been published by several Houston-based publications including 002 Magazine and Bliss the Magazine, a relationship themed online magazine. Candace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Texas Southern University and a Masters in Psychology from Houston Baptist University.
Lisa Jones
Editing Associate
Lisa joined the Aurora Grants team in 2019. After 27 years as a cataloger and archivist at the Harry Ransom Center, UT Austin, Lisa began full time work in nonprofit development in both Austin and San Francisco, specializing in arts, cultural, and historical interest funding. Her staff positions include Austin Lyric Opera, the United States Lighthouse Society, Texas Book Festival, and UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum. In her 45 years as a writer, researcher and editor she has produced a wide array of academic, high tech, and popular publications.
Lisa currently serves on the boards of Austin Shakespeare, SIGHTLINES (an online magazine of arts, culture, news and ideas), and in•situ, a producing company in light and sound media.
Rhonda Cook Bonfield
Communications Associate
Rhonda is experienced with successfully writing and managing grants, prospect research, external affairs, memberships, planned giving, financials, budgeting, and overall fundraising campaign strategies. She is also a sailor, kayaker, climber, paddler, and outdoor enthusiast committed to work-life balance.
She has recently accomplished the successful raise of $3.4MM in grant awards for New Hope Housing’s capital expansions, organization operating funds, and resident services from charitable foundations, corporations, and religious institutions. Additionally, Rhonda has mentored new fundraising specialists in all areas of operations, including organizational Strategic Plan goals, budgets, and best practices.
Olivia Smith-Daugherty, GPC
Grants Associate & Education Specialist
Also joining the team in 2020, Olivia Smith-Daugherty has worn many different hats in the field of Education. She first worked in Houston Independent School District (ISD), teaching Integrated Physics, Biology and Chemistry to students in grades 9-12. She also served as both Title 1 Coordinator and 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant Program Coordinator at two middle schools. After Houston ISD, Olivia worked for Harris County Department of Education in the Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE) division. During her time at CASE, Olivia provided grant implementation oversight of 21st CCLC after-school grants at 25+ public and charter schools located in 10 school districts, established ‘CASE Ambassadors’ to give after-school students a voice in their programming, and managed the redesign of CASE’s website and database collection system.
Olivia holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) and a Master of Education in Administration from Lamar University. She earned her Grant Professional Certified (GPC) designation in 2013. Olivia completed two years as the president of the Grant Professionals Association-Southeast Texas Chapter, and has served on the Grant Professionals Foundation (GPF) board for the past eight years, holding the positions of Vice Chair and Secretary, at various times over the years. Her present and past board work includes AIDS Foundation Houston, City Dance Studio, Inc., MISSION: Recovery Services, and Texas Beacon of Light Outreach.
Paula Floeck McReynolds
Grants Associate
A 3rd generation native Houstonian, Paula Floeck McReynolds spent most of her career in the corporate arena as an Environmental Scientist, Portfolio Manager, and Chief Operating Officer. Feeling the pull to serve the community, Paula’s service started in 1991 when she was invited to join the board of the S.E.A.R.C.H. Homeless Project which at that time was in its infancy. During her time on the S.E.A.R.C.H. Board she chaired the New Site Development Committee, Fundraising Committee, and was Board Secretary. Her deep love of the arts drew her to serve as Administrator for the Houston Bach Society from 1996-2002.
Since moving to Waco, Texas in 2013, Paula has continued to be active in the Arts community, serving as Membership Chairman for three years and President of the Waco Symphony Council. She currently sits on the Board of the Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras (TASO) where she has served as a Representative for Waco, Membership Chairman, Bylaws Chair, and Treasurer.
Paula joined the Aurora Grants team in 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Chemistry from Sam Houston State University, and has performed graduate work in Environmental Engineering as well as undergraduate studies in Finance and Accounting.
Carrie Ray
Grants Associate
Carrie Ray joined the Aurora Grants team in 2021. Ms. Ray’s passion to help nonprofits accomplish their goals led her to work in fundraising, which she has continued since 2011. Over the years, Carrie has gained experience in individual, foundation, and corporate giving in support of areas as diverse as education, research, and cultural programs. Prior to Aurora Grants, she worked at Asia Society Texas Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and HITS Theatre.
Carrie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Texas A&M University.
Elizabeth Sweeney, MBA
Grants Associate
Elizabeth Sweeney, who joined Aurora Grants in early 2022, graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Business Journalism. She has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston with a concentration in Finance.
Elizabeth’s career began in Dallas, Texas with one of the “Big Six” accounting firms, Coopers & Lybrand. As a member of the marketing department, she worked on research for proposals, market analysis for the Pricewaterhouse/Coopers & Lybrand merger and authored several analyses of the biotechnology industry. Elizabeth moved to Houston and joined a petrochemical consulting firm as a Project and Proposal Manager, a role that allowed her to use her economics background to analyze petrochemical supply and demand and price scenarios, write proposals and reports and support both producers and the financial community with market information. She also performed market research and banking metric analysis while working as a business analyst at Capital One (then Hibernia). Her strong research and analytical skills are a great resource for writing both grant proposals and impact reports.
Elizabeth is an active volunteer with Child Advocates and is involved with various philanthropic efforts at her children’s schools, National Charity League, and is a Board Member of her neighborhood Homeowners Association.
Jennifer Garmon, MSW
Grants Associate & Leadership Specialist
Jennifer Garmon graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University, St. Louis. Her expertise is in Social and Economic Development, focusing on international humanitarian aid, refugees and mass migrations, and public policy. She is a Licensed Master of Social Work with fifteen years of grant writing and management experience.
Jennifer has experienced all levels of non-profit work, from community organizing, to case management and Executive Leadership. This trajectory equipped her to understand the vision of each agency’s impact and the operations and daily activities necessary to achieve these goals. As a life-long learner, Jennifer participated in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Ladder to Leadership Executive Coaching program and recently participated in LeadershipISD, a fellowship focused on racial equity in education.
Jennifer is the mom of two young sons, a volunteer with the Fort Bend Education Foundation, and an active member of Houston’s beautifully diverse arts and cultural communities.