AHP Fellows Program

Loriana De Crescenzo, FAHP, CFRE serves as Executive Director, Foundation – Desert Region, at Intermountain Health, a leading not-for-profit healthcare system headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. With 33 hospitals, 400 clinics, and over 3 million telehealth patients served, Intermountain Health spans six states across the Intermountain West: Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. A mission-driven philanthropy leader with over two decades of experience, De Crescenzo is recognized for her strategic vision, values-based leadership, and dedication to advancing clinical excellence, health equity, and patient outcomes through generosity. She leads philanthropic initiatives supporting key areas such as children’s health, behavioral health, oncology, cardiovascular and surgical services, research, and precision medicine.

Before joining Intermountain Health, De Crescenzo held philanthropy leadership roles at Lifespan’s Newport Hospital (now Brown University Health), RI Free Clinic, IYRS School of Technology and Trades, Big Picture Learning’s The Met School, and Opera Providence. A former professional lyric soprano, she began her career performing across New York and Italy before transitioning to nonprofit leadership and philanthropy. Loriana is deeply honored to have earned the designation of Fellow of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (FAHP), a recognition of her commitment to excellence, leadership, and impact in the field. She is grateful to her mentors, colleagues, and the broader philanthropic community whose collaboration and inspiration continue to shape her work and purpose. Loriana is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds a degree in music and voice from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music. Seeking to maximize her impact, she champions ethical, transparent, and inclusive fundraising practices and is dedicated to excellence in healthcare philanthropy.

Ben Gardiner’s journey into fundraising began not with a job, but with a deeply personal loss. After losing his mother to heart disease at a young age, Ben transformed grief into purpose, volunteering with a cause close to his heart. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for philanthropy and led him to pursue formal education in fundraising while still completing his undergraduate studies. Since then, he has never looked back. Over the years, Ben has continuously invested in his professional development, earning his MBA, achieving his CFRE designation, and completing multiple certifications focused on public speaking, event leadership, and specialized areas of fundraising including major gifts, budgeting, and granting.

Today, Ben proudly serves as the Executive Director of a healthcare foundation in the very community where his story began—raising funds for life-saving equipment, long-term care, and essential services. A champion of continuous improvement, he is constantly seeking new ways to strengthen his leadership and advance best practices in fundraising. Outside of work, Ben answers to two very important bosses: his children, ages 3 and 5, who keep his world spinning, his house messy, and his heart full. To receive the FAHP designation—alongside respected leaders he admires—is an extraordinary honor for someone who simply wants to give back to the healthcare system that has meant so much to him and his family.

Jena Pado, FAHP, CFRE is a visionary fundraising leader with over 25 years of experience, currently serving as Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Since joining the Foundation team in 2004, Jena has led transformative campaigns including the $12 million Be a Hero Campaign, the $5.3 million Soin Pediatric Trauma & Emergency Center initiative, and a record-breaking $27 million for the hospital’s patient tower, personally securing more than half of that total. In 2025, she guided the Foundation to raise an unprecedented $80 million for the do. more. so all kids thrive campaign, surpassing its goal by $25 million. Jena sets the strategic vision for all fundraising efforts, leads a team of 18, and provides leadership to the Foundation Board, driving critical support for pediatric care and mental health initiatives.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jena is deeply engaged in her community, volunteering with organizations such as the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Rotary, and YWCA Dayton, and serving on the YWCA Women of Influence committee. She has held leadership roles with the AFP Greater Dayton Region Chapter and was honored with multiple awards, including the Dayton Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and CMN’s Chief Development Officer of the Year. Nationally, she serves on the Board of Directors for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and contributes to strategic initiatives like the CMN Membership Agreement and Map Council. Jena’s commitment to mentorship, professional development, and philanthropic excellence continues to shape the future of fundraising and children’s health care.

Tim Self serves as Executive Director of the AnMed Foundation and Chief Development Officer for the AnMed health system, a leading rural healthcare system in Anderson, South Carolina. With nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare philanthropy, Tim is recognized for his strategic leadership, culture-building expertise, and commitment to developing others, from frontline ambassadors to boardroom advocates. Throughout his career, Tim has led transformative employee giving efforts, most notably at AnMed health system, where he grew participation from just 14% to 66%. His leadership positioned philanthropy as a strategic lever for cultural and mission alignment. Tim is also deeply invested in strengthening the philanthropic leadership of boards of trustees, helping them move from stewardship to true community investment advocacy.

A dedicated contributor to the field, Tim has served for five years as faculty for AHP’s Madison Institute, where he helps shape and inspire future leaders in healthcare philanthropy. A long-time AHP member, his journey began with a formative webinar led by John Drake, FAHP, and Jill Bramblett; an introduction to AHP’s collegial spirit and high standards. Since then, Tim has carried forward the charge first given to him by Doug Dillon, CFRE; to approach this “high and noble work” with both purpose and boldness. Tim is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP), and a nationally recognized trainer with the Dale Carnegie Institute. He holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and frequently presents at regional and national conferences. He lives in Anderson, SC, with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children, Ramsey and Creed. Together, they enjoy hiking, paddling, and exploring the U.S. National Parks and South Carolina’s coastal escapes.