Shannon Watlington, Lead Faculty Member, Taking Donors Seriously^®, brings 20 years of fundraising, strategic planning and leadership development experience to her work with The FOCUS Group. She has worked with Young Life for 9 years, during which she has recruited, trained and developed teams of people around a common goal. She has a passion for casting a vision to help individuals see how they can strategically use their gifts and resources to engage in a mission that aligns with their God-given passion and creates a ripple effect for God’s Kingdom in the world.

Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Advertising, Public Relations and Political Science from Ball State University in Indiana. She lives in Greenville, NC with her husband and their twin teenage sons. Her family enjoys playing games, traveling across the country watching baseball games and checking different MLB stadiums off their bucket list, beach days, and reading a good book.

Dr. Hector Cruz, Faculty Member, is a seasoned leader in development, fundraising, and higher education, with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Evangel University. Previously, Hector served at the university level, spearheaded alumni and donor engagement, organized and led fundraising initiatives, and managed capital campaigns. He also served at an international non-profit, leading the U.S.-based development team. His background includes business consulting, helping organizations optimize sales funnels, client relationships, and operations.

Hector is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, demonstrating his commitment to strategy and efficiency. He also serves as adjunct faculty at Evangel University, teaching leadership and higher education courses.

Beyond his career, Hector is deeply involved in community service, serving on boards, coaching youth sports, and volunteering at his local church. His discernment, tenacity, and relationship-building strength fuel his passion for advancing mission-driven organizations and making a meaningful impact. He resides in Southwest Missouri with his wife, Eden, and their three children.

Abner Garcia, Project Coordinator, is enthusiastic, multifaceted, and passionate about adventure, technology and project management. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Franklin University, Ohio, and his diverse interests and professional experiences reflect a dedication to personal and career growth. Abner has worked as a consultant for Google Workplace, a project coordinator for Xerox, and a tech industry professional.

His hobbies include navigating mountain bike trails, hiking through the mountains, and restoring classic cars.

Ame Eldredge, Chief Culture Officer & Senior Consultant, first discovered a talent for training and development during her fifteen year career with Young Life, serving in several roles including Area Director, Regional Trainer and assisting in National Staff Training events. As a Regional Trainer, she helped field staff in Florida become proficient in fundraising, building support teams, financial management and donor relations. In addition to Young Life she has significant and varied experience in the nonprofit sector. Having served on staff with several organizations serving such populations as youth in crisis, the homeless and the uninsured, she brings an intimate knowledge of management and advancement matters in this arena. She currently serves on the board of Global Teams International.

Ame graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida with a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion and has done graduate work through Fuller Seminary. Ame and her husband, Mark reside in Jacksonville, Florida.

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, began his fundraising journey in 1993 as a college student raising support for Young Life. Over 20 years with the organization, he became Chief Development Officer, training leaders and refining his expertise in relational fundraising.

Joining The FOCUS Group in 2009, Brad became CEO in 2010 and launched the Taking Donors Seriously® program in 2013 to make fundraising tools accessible to smaller nonprofits. He has led campaigns for organizations like Dallas Theological Seminary ($250M), InterVarsity ($89M), and The Bowery Mission ($27M).
Brad holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Florida and an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Wendy, live in St. Augustine, Florida, and have four children. A seasoned athlete, Brad has completed 65 marathons and two Ironman Triathlons.

Brad also founded Endless Summer Realty, St. Augustine’s largest real estate brokerage, and co-founded Veritas Classical School. He initiated St. Augustine’s Giving Day, helping nonprofits raise over $2.5M. His entrepreneurial ventures have deepened his understanding of major donor generosity.