IPM Advancement is a full-service agency focused on advocacy, fundraising and membership.
Since 2007, we’ve delivered smart, cost-effective solutions designed to engage target audiences and get them to take action.
As a full-service agency, IPM Advancement provides a comprehensive menu of advocacy, fundraising and membership solutions — combining the creative services of a design firm, full production capabilities, and deep nonprofit consulting expertise.
We offer B2NP services directly to nonprofits and B2B solutions for association management companies (AMCs) and other firms, and we’ve worked with a wide range of clients — from healthcare and engineering associations to library cooperatives, arts organizations, hospitals, museums, and nonprofits that champion equality, social justice, education, the environment, and more.
IPM Advancement is guided by a core set of beliefs that drive everything we do. If your organization is working to change the world, we invite you to reach out and learn how we can help.
Meet the experts who drive results for our nonprofit clients.

Jack Padovano
Owner & Lead Consultant

Russ Phaneuf
Managing Director & Chief Strategist

Samantha Timlick
VP of Client Services

Diana Gardner
VP of Client Development

Rich Frazier, CRFE
Senior Consultant

Daniel Sirak
Visual Design Artist

Todd Thisby
Information Technology Director

Andrew Bauer
Associate Director of Client Development

Joseph Kubalek
Associate Director of Client Services

Kendall Sirak
Associate Visual Designer

Mike Russell
H.R. & Organizational Development

Laurie Pieper
Chief Financial Officer

Kelly Burkhardt
Assistant Controller
Jack Padovano
Owner & Lead Consultant
Jack Padovano serves as lead consultant for IPM Advancement. In this role, he works with nonprofit clients to create strategic, multi-channel donor and member engagement plans. As a direct response professional with more than 30 years of experience in leadership and management positions, Jack focuses on the intersection of direct mail, telemarketing and online fundraising. He has conceptualized and executed mail, phone and web programs for nonprofit organizations, national political candidates, and advocacy campaigns. Jack began his career in direct marketing with ad agency Dancer Fitzgerald Sample (now Saatchi & Saatchi). He later served as marketing director, and then president, at Wolferman’s.
Russ Phaneuf
Managing Director & Chief Strategist
As co-founder of IPM Advancement and managing director & chief strategist, Russ Phaneuf serves as lead creative, fundraising strategist, program analyst, and award-winning copywriter & editor. His experience includes key roles in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. He has been a finalist for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) “Rising Star” award, and in 2013 he earned an AMA Spectrum Award recognizing outstanding collateral. Russ has presented on strategic communications and constituent engagement for CASE, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the National League of Cities.
Samantha Timlick
VP Client Services
As vice president of client services, Samantha Timlick provides subject matter expertise that covers all aspects of client and project management including direct mail, telemarketing, and digital campaigns. Since 2007 she has managed renewal, appeal, and acquisition programs encompassing more than 200 million total recipients — focusing on highly segmented direct mail microtargeting, personalized inbound and outbound telemarketing, and integrated e-campaigns. As our unofficial “team taskmaster,” Samantha not only manages all client and project schedules, but also works to ensure projects stay on time and on track.
Diana Gardner
Vice President of Client Development
Diana Gardner has more than 20 years of strategic marketing and fundraising experience. She has successfully led fundraising, grassroots, and marketing campaigns for U.S. presidential, senatorial, congressional, and gubernatorial candidates, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, trade associations, and government agencies. Diana has also advised national grassroots organizations on developing multimillion-dollar marketing initiatives across a broad range of direct response, digital and traditional communications. With an expertise in relationship development and process management, Diana helps IPM Advancement clients elevate their presence and achieve their objectives by developing multi-channel, integrated fundraising and marketing strategies.
Rich Frazier, CRFE
Senior Consultant
Rich Frazier is a Certified Fundraising Executive, a BoardSource® Certified Governance Trainer, a Faculty Associate with Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, and a Technical Assistance Program Facilitator with the St. Luke’s Health Initiative in Phoenix, Arizona. He has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 30 years. Rich has served as a fundraiser and senior executive in numerous influential organizations in the arts, higher education and healthcare. His development experience includes the Walton Arts Center (Arkansas), Arizona State University and Catholic Healthcare West (now Dignity Health). In his role as senior consultant with IPM Advancement, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in major gifts program management, fund development, strategic planning and board of directors development.
Daniel “Dan” Sirak
Visual Design Artist
Dan is a graphic and web designer with more than 25 years of experience specializing in visual identity design, direct mail, print collateral, custom web sites, and CSS/HTML programming. He has lead creative and branding efforts for a variety of industry clients including Cold Stone Creamery, China Mist Tea, and Banner Health. As an expert visual design artist for direct response communications, Dan provides IPM Advancement with a sharp eye for aligning visual communications with nonprofit fundraising strategy.
Todd Thisby
Information Technology Director
Todd Thisby has worked in the computer and telecommunication field for more than 20 years. He has held several leadership positions including network/system administrator, information systems manager, and technology consultant. Todd brings a depth of experience, technical skill, and management capabilities to IPM Advancement, where he supports IT administration and management operations as well as data analysis for client programs. He uses his knowledge of database management, analysis, and applications to analyze client files and ensure the highest quality output, resulting in higher ROI for clients’ targeted and strategic direct mail, email, and telemarketing projects.
Andrew Bauer
Assistant Director of Client Services
As assistant director of client services for IPM Advancement, Andrew ensures that campaigns flow seamlessly from inception to completion. His background in public affairs and campaigns brings a unique, experienced perspective to IPM’s portfolio of nonprofit clients. Andrew looks to blur the lines of development, activism and advocacy in order to not only increase giving but to also help clients fully engage their target audiences.
Joseph “Joe” Kubalek
Project Manager
Joe Kubalek’s background in project management provides expertise for interfacing and coordinating with IPM Advancement clients to implement a variety of direct mail fundraising and telemarketing projects. Responsible for all aspects of telemarketing programs from set up to return files, Joe is focused on meeting deadlines, ensuring program accuracy, and real-time monitoring and review of client programs. With an eye towards advancements in technology, Joe assists in the development and implementation of new phone and mobile services. He also manages production of smaller, specialized, high-touch leadership, major gifts, and planned giving direct mail projects for our clients.
Kendall Sirak
Associate Visual Designer
Kendall Sirak works with IPM as an Associate Visual Designer. With a passion for design, illustration, and organically inspired handwork, she brings a fresh approach focused on clean, contemporary designs. Certified in Inbound Marketing and Google AdWords, Kendall combines intuitive design with competent marketing strategies to create compelling visuals for print and digital assets.
Mike Russell
H.R. & Organizational Development
Mike is a seasoned professional with three decades of experience in the fields of Human Resources and Organizational Development. His extensive track record of success as a Consultant/Executive Coach to leaders in the private, public and non-profit communities has earned him the reputation of a knowledgeable, resourceful and respected coach/mentor. As an experienced facilitator, adjunct faculty member, and/or trainer, Mike is certified to facilitate a variety of team building exercises. He specializes in early-stage high-growth firms, M&As, HR audits, recruiting and onboarding, employee relations and training/development. Mike’s commitment to clients extends beyond any specific project to that of ensuring the organization is insulated from potential liability, increasing organizational effectiveness, and adding shareholder value.
Laurie Pieper
Chief Financial Officer
Laurie Pieper provides the backbone to IPM Advancement’s financial management, leveraging 25 years of leadership, accounting and financial consulting experience. Her expertise in budgeting and finance has been instrumental in improving our client’s return on investment. Laurie got her start in the nonprofit world doing accounting and budgeting for the State of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services. After a move to Arizona, she became controller for a top-tier public affairs management company and then became chief financial officer for a major consulting firm where she fulfilled accounting and senior management functions.
Kelly Burkhardt
Assistant Controller
Kelly Burkhardt has worked with staff, clients, and vendors since IPM Advancement launched in order to coordinate the necessary resources for projects to be delivered cost-effectively and on time. Whether making sure postage is ready, adequate materials are in place, or additional in-house staff need to be scheduled to meet project needs, Kelly’s career experience in hospitality is crucial to IPM. She is also responsible for our daily accounting and general office management and has more than 20 years of experience in the field. In her accounting role, Kelly oversees client billing, vendor payments, project profit and loss analyses, and human resources.
how can we help you?
IPM Advancement
16845 N. 29th Ave.
Suite 1-550
Phoenix, AZ 85053
877.4.IPMADV | 877.447.6238
ipm@ipmadvancement.com