Leadership Team

Lisa J. Dinga, CFRE - President

Victoria Schmitt Babb - Vice President and General Manager
Krista Restivo Hertzel - Project Manager

Mimi Nelson - Project Manager

Lise Bernstein - Development and Marketing Partner

Lynne Daugherty - Business and Fundraising Analyst
Laura Fairbanks - Grantwriter
Patricia Heller - Grantwriter

Susan TeStroete - Grantwriter
Erin Weyerich - Grantwriter

Lisa J. Dinga, CFRE - President

Lisa J. Dinga has been providing fundraising and organizational expertise to funders, non-profits and schools for over 25 years. Using a strength based approach, Appreciative Inquiry, she brings a deep passion of helping organizations build capacity through strategic planning, leadership development and revenue enhancement.  Lisa serves on the President’s Council for Annie’s Hope, is a capital campaign leader for Youth In Need, Stewardship Chair for her Church, and has served on the Executive Board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - St. Louis Regional Chapter.  Her company, Paradigm Shift Studio, llc is an A+ BBB accredited business, a professional advisor at the Gateway Center for Giving and a member of the St. Charles Community Council. Prior to founding Paradigm Shift Studio in 2002, Lisa worked for Youth In Need, the American Youth Foundation and the Hazelwood School District’s Early Childhood Education Program. 

Victoria Schmitt Babb - Vice President and General Manager

Victoria Schmitt Babb joined Paradigm Shift Studio in 2005 and became a Vice President in 2007 and General Manager in 2009.  Victoria has over 15 years of first-hand knowledge and experience in community development, public policy, fundraising, marketing, resource mobilization, strategic planning and partnership/team building. Victoria specializes in stakeholder engagement along with working with grassroots organizations. Before joining Paradigm Shift Studio, Victoria worked on all three levels of government, conducted community service globally, was instrumental in developing the AmeriCorps program, and served as a Director of Community Partnerships and MO Early Head Start Manager for Youth In Need.  Victoria oversees Paradigm’s operations and the contact for new business development.

Krista Restivo Hertzel - Project Manager
Krista received her MSW along with a Certificate of Nonprofit Management and Administration from George Warren Brown at Washington University.  After working as a microbiologist, she transitioned into the nonprofit sector by accepting a position at Gateway Center for Giving as a Program Associate and advancing to Membership and Information Manager.  She played a role in organizing the first Statewide Conference for Missouri Nonprofits in 2007 and is a founding board member of the St. Louis Young Nonprofit Professionals Chapter.  Krista received training through Washington University on the principles of strategic planning and organizational assessment.   She specializes in non-profit research and development and serves as the coordinator on Paradigm’s Framework for Success tool-kit and webinar series.

Mimi M. Nelson – Project Manager
Bringing her 23 years of corporate expertise to Paradigm Shift Studio, Mimi Nelson joined the leadership team in May, 2007.  Mimi's background includes working for the VP of Finance at Emerson Electric and managing the travel department for their Flow Controls Division.  Mimi was recognized quite often for her cost saving initiatives and excellent customer relations. 

Partnering with Paradigm Shift Studio, llc to bring you the VERY best

Lise Bernstein - Development and Marketing Partner

Lise is Principal of LB Marketing Communications, serving as a marketing communications consultant for 25 years.  She has extensive experience in healthcare and social services as well as nonprofit community organizations.  Lise has served in leadership positions on several St. Louis area nonprofit boards and has been active in public policy and advocacy efforts, focusing on issues affecting women, children, seniors and people with disabilities.  

Lynne Daugherty - Business / Fundraising Analyst

Partnering with Paradigm Shift Studio, Lynne Daugherty has had over 25 years of fiscal and process analytic experience in the retail, finance, and distribution fields. As a Business Analyst, Merchandise Analyst, and in various other positions, her research, assessments, and recommendations have positively impacted financial, operational, process, and/or procedural methods and outcomes for public and privately held companies including Enterprise, JM Family Enterprises, and Venture Stores.  She has provided donor analysis to several area non-profits including Youth In Need and Annie’s Hope.

Laura Fairbanks - Grantwriter
Laura Fairbanks has twelve years experience in development, starting her career at Girls, Inc., then working with the American Cancer Society and YMCA of Greater St. Louis.  She specializes in written communications, helping organizations strengthen their fund raising programs through proposals that best convey their mission and passion.  She currently works with clients on research and writing services, and growing organizations to secure long-term stability.

Patricia Heller - Grantwriter
Partnering with Paradigm Shift Studio, Patricia Heller supports clients with her 15 years’experience in the nonprofit sector. She specializes in grant development, writing, and prospect research. Some of her clients include American Lung Association of Eastern Missouri, American Red Cross – St. Louis Bi-State Chapter, Edgewood Children’s Center, Fontbonne University, Lydia’s House, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Center, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Susan TeStroete - Grantwriter
Susan TeStroete has over fifteen years of direct practice and grant writing experience with non-profits.  She has extensive knowledge in the research, identification, and development of foundation, corporate and government funding opportunities.  It is her unique mix of program experience and grant writing that enables her to develop proposals that appeal to funders, while designing projects that are manageable and logical for staff to administer.

Erin Weyerich - Grantwriter
Erin provides Paradigm Shift Studio clients with expertise in grantwriting and foundation research.  Erin is a dynamic, creative professional with a proven record of building revenues in both philanthropic and corporate environments.  Ten years past experience in business marketing and management, and most recently, thirteen years of successful fund development for not-for-profit organizations.