Wendy M. Lux, MBA, FAHP, CFRE, is an accomplished healthcare philanthropy leader with more than 35 years of experience advancing fundraising programs for integrated healthcare systems, academic medical centers, and community hospitals. As a Regional Director of Philanthropy for Hartford HealthCare, she works closely with donors, volunteers, clinicians, and community leaders to secure philanthropic investments that enhance patient care and improve the health and well-being of the communities served. Prior to joining Hartford HealthCare, Wendy served as Vice President of Philanthropy for Northern Light Health Foundation, leading fundraising efforts for a statewide healthcare system comprising ten hospitals, as well as home care and hospice services throughout Maine. Throughout her career in Connecticut and Maine, she has built strong donor relationships, led successful major and principal gift initiatives, and fostered cultures of philanthropy that support organizational growth and mission impact. Passionate about the power of philanthropy to improve lives, Wendy is dedicated to connecting generous donors with opportunities that transform healthcare, improve patient outcomes, and expand access to vital services.

Wendy has been an active member of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) since 1995 and currently serves as President-Elect of the New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP), having joined its Board of Directors in 2023 as Vice President of Education. She earned the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2002 and serves as a CFRE Ambassador, promoting certification, ethical fundraising practices, and professional excellence. Wendy is a Past President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Connecticut Chapter and a recipient of the AFP Connecticut and Fairfield County Chapters’ Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year Award. She has also shared her expertise through volunteer leadership and mentorship, including service on the AFP Northern New England Chapter Mentoring Committee. A frequent conference presenter and educator, Wendy speaks on healthcare philanthropy, fundraising leadership, campaign strategy, donor engagement, and major and principal gift fundraising. Beyond her professional achievements, she is an active member of Rotary International and remains deeply committed to community service and civic engagement.

Erik Showalter, MBA, CFRE, FAHP, serves as President of the Baton Rouge General Foundation, where he leads all philanthropic strategy and operations supporting Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Throughout a career spanning more than two decades in healthcare philanthropy, higher education, and the nonprofit sector, he has helped raise more than $130 million through major gifts, grants, capital campaigns, and strategic philanthropic partnerships. Since assuming leadership of the Baton Rouge General Foundation in 2018, Erik has engineered a 234% increase in philanthropic revenue. He helped lead the healthcare system’s largest fundraising campaign in history, exceeding its $10 million goal and continues to secure transformational funding for initiatives including enhanced behavioral health services, cancer care advancements, community health programs, and the BRG Care on the Go mobile health unit. Widely recognized for building high-performing teams and innovative fundraising programs, he is a past recipient of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy’s (AHP) prestigious 40 Under 40 Award.

Prior to joining Baton Rouge General, Erik served as an Assistant Vice President and Senior Director with CCS Fundraising in Washington, D.C., advising healthcare systems, colleges, and nonprofit organizations on transformational fundraising campaigns and organizational development strategies. A dedicated advocate for advancing the profession, Showalter mentors emerging healthcare philanthropy leaders through AHP, contributes to national peer-learning initiatives, and remains actively engaged in civic and nonprofit leadership. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Erik also completed executive philanthropic leadership studies through AHP’s Madison Institute at the University of Wisconsin and is currently studying financial management through Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business.

Dr. Brenda Solomon is Vice President of Major Gifts for the HonorHealth Foundation, where she has served for more than nine years and helped advance transformative philanthropy across one of Arizona’s leading healthcare systems. A seasoned healthcare philanthropy executive with more than 32 years of fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience, she specializes in major and principal gifts, campaign strategy, board engagement, program development, and philanthropic infrastructure. Throughout her career, Brenda has secured more than $210 million in charitable support, including $77.5 million for HonorHealth. Her expertise centers on building meaningful partnerships among donors, physicians, clinical leaders to accelerate innovation, and improve patient outcomes.

Brenda holds a Doctorate in Adult and Continuing Education, a Master of Arts in Communications, and the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.  She currently serves on the AHP Standards Committee and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Brenda has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and shares best practices with colleagues nationwide. Her upcoming AHP Journal article, From Gratitude to Cure: How Physician Partnership and Patient Trust Inspired a $2 Million Endowment, and her 2026 AHP Conference presentation, Creating a World-Class Cancer Care Center: A Case Study in Clinician-Led Philanthropy, highlight her commitment to advancing the profession through innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based fundraising strategies.