Bob founded Edge Philanthropy following a 26-year career as the chief executive officer for a large family foundation. In that role, Bob was instrumental in developing and supporting governance processes, engaging family members (including successful on- boarding of multiple generations), recruiting and training talented professional staff members, developing and implementing innovative/effective grant programs across a wide array of disciplines, and has conducted numerous outcome studies.

Elyn earned her PhD in higher education from Texas Tech University and holds a graduate degree in educational and mental health counseling. She is an experienced researcher having conducted numerous projects focused on philanthropic practice and matters related to education. She has extensive experience in administration, curriculum/degree development, design of system-wide assessments, facilitation of faculty and staff objective-driven committees, and has successfully led efforts for reaccreditation. Elyn also served as a private foundation grant maker. In that role, she managed portfolios focused on pre-k through 12 public education, higher education, community development, arts & culture, and innovative social programs. Elyn has deep knowledge about foundation dynamics and experience in intergenerational family engagement. She played a significant leadership role in creating and managing a national award-winning philanthropic initiative.

David most recently chaired the Department of Bioethics at Kansas City University. He earned a master’s degree in health policy and a doctorate in biomedical ethics from the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University and was an Ethics Fellow at the American Medical Association.

A co-editor, with Kimberly McMurray and James Hunt, of the Behavior Health Design Guide (Behavioral Health Facility Consulting, 2020), David writes and speaks frequently on intersections among ethics, safety, and risk management and has considerable experience in the ethics of grant-giving gained when he was on the aboard of the American Society of Hospital Risk Managers, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association.

Senior Advisor – Philanthropic Practice and Foundation Regulatory Compliance

Drawing upon extensive experience in grantmaking, policy, advocacy, research, academic and legal training and experience, Patsy is our senior advisor. Patsy is highly experienced in the art of grantmaking and very knowledgeable about the legal environment in which philanthropy is practiced. In her role at Edge, Patsy advises the President and supports our research projects and is available for consultative/advisory engagements. In particular, she has deep knowledge regarding place-based grantmaking, development of effective grantee partnerships, fostering of effective community engagement, building effective grant strategies, and in training current and future grantmakers. Patsy has an extensive philanthropic network including foundation membership associations, foundation practitioners, nonprofits and public administration. She holds both a law degree and a PhD in public administration and teaches philanthropy at Georgia Southern University. She also holds a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Studies.