Betsy Buchalter Adler, Philanthropy Consultant
Northern California

After 30 years of providing legal advice to nonprofit organizations and their donors as partner and senior counsel at Adler & Colvin in San Francisco, Ms. Adler retired from her law firm at the end of 2012 and now consults with selected grantmakers and donors on the non-law aspects of philanthropy.  She has served on numerous boards and currently is the vice chair of the Board of Directors of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.  A past chair of the Exempt Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association's Tax Section, Ms. Adler has also taught the law of nonprofit organizations at UC Berkeley Law (Boalt Hall) and other institutions.

Bruce R. Hopkins, Lawyer
Senior Partner, Polsinelli, Kansas City

Specializing in the areas of corporate law and taxation, Bruce R. Hopkins’ emphasis is on nonprofit organizations.  His clients include charitable and educational organizations, associations, colleges, universities, hospitals, other health care providers, religious organizations, business and professional associations, and private foundations.  Many nonprofit organizations retain Mr. Hopkins as general counsel; others use his services as special tax and/or fundraising counsel.  Mr. Hopkins is the author and co-author of numerous volumes on the laws governing nonprofit organizations and is a well-known speaker on issues of interest to tax-exempt organizations.  His treatise The Law of Tax-Exempt Organizations is currently in its 10th edition.

George Vera, CPA
Financial Executive, California

Mr. Vera has several years of experience in charitable foundations.  He recently retired from the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.  Mr. Vera serves as chair of the Audit Committee for the California Water Services Group, San Jose, California.