We make good happen.
As a leading nonprofit software solution, Neon helps thousands of nonprofits raise more, save time, and get more done.
Hi! We’re a group of nonprofit nerds committed to furthering your impact through technology. We provide tools that help you grow your mission, inspire your audience and scale your organization for success.
Since 2004, NeonCRM has helped thousands of organizations reach their full potential, raising millions of dollars for great causes along the way. We’re proud to be a privately-owned company, so we can focus on serving the great organizations we work with — not shareholders or profits. And with the best-rated tech support in the nonprofit sector, the people behind NeonCRM is what really sets us apart from everyone else.
Your passion for change and vision for a better world inspire us every day. Let’s make good happen together.
We’ve been there too, and we know what you’re up against. There’s nothing more rewarding than making a positive impact through your work, but we are also intimately familiar with the unique challenges facing the nonprofit sector.
That’s why we’ve designed all of our services with nonprofits in mind. In fact, NeonCRM was created when our co-founders Lei Zhang and Jeff Gordy met at the Kidney Cancer Association — a nonprofit organization in Chicago, where they worked at the time.
Since then, we’ve been committed to delivering personalized services that make sense for every nonprofit. We know that each organization is different, but we’ll work with you to find a solution that works for your organization.
Photo: #WOCinTech Chat
Meet our team
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Adam Stevenson Business AnalystBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Internship in Tunisia with AMIDEAST, an exceptional organization that focuses on education and development in North Africa and the Middle East.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Migrant and refugee rights, education, international development, advocating for international institutions.
If you really knew me you would know…
I show up at airports 3 hours early to walk around and watch planes.
Favorite pie?
Quiche (…then apple pie for dessert)
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Aidan Juhl Technical Support SpecialistBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
In college, I was able to volunteer extensively as a reading buddy at an elementary school and as an after-school worker in a public housing neighborhood.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Equality and Social Justice
If you really knew me you would know…
I love animals of all kinds (especially cats)
Favorite pie?
Pumpkin
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Andres De Sousa Web DesignerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
While living in Caracas, Venezuela I had the privilege and opportunity to design and build a website for a non-profit elementary school. This school was located in a lower class area in Venezuela. By building and designing a friendly and welcoming website, I hopefully gave them more opportunity to increase their admission rate of children, regardless of the location they are in.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Anything related to the environment. Check this out about the effects of global warning in greenland: http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/11/world/greenland-global-warning/
If you really knew me you would know…
I really like rubik’s cubes
Favorite pie?
Key-lime pie
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Calie Lyons Technical Support SpecialistBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Working with a local artist collective, striving for social change by fostering and cultivating projects that connect the community with musicians and artists. Art has no boundaries and should be accessible to everyone!
What causes are you most passionate about?
Intersectional Feminism / Black Lives Matter/ queer rights/ transformative justice/ abolishing capitalism/ education & art
If you really knew me you would know…
My favorite hobbies include: painting, rock n roll, laughing, and pizza.
Favorite pie?
PECAN!
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Chris Tourre SALES MANAGERBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Being on the board of two nonprofit organizations in Chicago: The Neofuturists and VGA Gallery. I love supporting nonprofits with inspiring missions and people.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Arts, Education, Poverty Alleviation, Social Justice, Children
If you really knew me you would know…
I’ve had my artwork in two exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
Favorite pie?
Apple
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Colin Pizarek Chief Product OfficerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Engineering a recorded album of poetry to raise money to commission a statue to honor the local poet Max Ehrmann.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Arts and Culture, Environmental, Capacity building
If you really knew me you would know…
I once had a kazoo surgically removed from my mouth.
Favorite pie?
Blueberry
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Edward Shen DeveloperBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
As a volunteer in Sichuan Earthquake.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Science & Technology
If you really knew me you would know…
For the Horde!
Favorite pie?
Shepherd’s pie
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Gabriella Snow Nonprofit Sales ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
When I was Service and Philanthropy Director of my sorority in college, I raised a record breaking $47,000 for CASA of Cook County, a user of NeonCRM!
What causes are you most passionate about?
Environmental Preservation, Food Insecurity & Food Waste, Comprehensive Sex Education
If you really knew me you would know…
My father is the Steve Irwin of Florida.
Favorite pie?
Keylime
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Haley Boeschen Lead Web DesignerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Volunteering with Spudnik Press, a printmaking community focused on sharing facilities and services to the public. Their studio is always full of passionate people, eager to teach and provide a safe place for creative freedom.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Arts, Climate Change, Conservation, Reproductive Health, Immigrants & Refugees, Racial Justice
If you really knew me you would know…
The tattoo on my arm was drawn by an inspiring art professor who passed away my last year in college.
Favorite pie?
Chocolate cream pie
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Harrison Metcalf Technical Support SpecialistBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Serving with the Texas Conservation Corps and being deployed to facilitate volunteer relief efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters.
What causes are you most passionate about?
De-incarceration, Access to Healthcare, Disaster Relief, Environmental Conservation
If you really knew me you would know…
That I can play the didgeridoo.
Also that this is my go-to interesting fact about myself I share when asked these sorts of questions.
Favorite pie?
Lou’s
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Hau-yu Wong Front End DeveloperBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
I managed a research lab at a private nonprofit university, where I was able to contribute to the culmination of scientific knowledge through administering experiments, collecting data, and supporting scientists in their everyday work.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Voting rights and addressing income inequality
If you really knew me you would know…
tell me to get writing
Favorite pie?
Sweet potato
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Joe Marnen Quality Assurance AnalystBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Currently I serve on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Repertory Ballet. Seeing our fundraising efforts transform into a piece of art, and watching that impact our audience is always rewarding.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Human Rights, Environmental Rights, Arts & Humanities, Historic Preservation
If you really knew me you would know…
That I’m a Chicago history & architecture nerd
Favorite pie?
Apple or Pumpkin
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Jon Snowden Solutions ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Working with volunteer teams providing medical care to expecting mothers in the tent city of Léogâne, Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Tough to say – I’ve been involved with gun violence prevention, international development, and addiction recovery.
If you really knew me you would know…
I have an alter ego with a doppelganger in the Netherlands.
Favorite pie?
Chicago pizza? (new to town)
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Jose Martinez Technical Support SpecialistBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Volunteering at Youth Outreach Services and helping organize their client files and getting to hear about some of the experiences from clients.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Human Rights, Environmental Protection, Mental Health Awareness
If you really knew me you would know…
I love martial arts movies and I’m a recovered sweets addict 🙂
Favorite pie?
Banana Creme
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Josh Kesler Quality Assurance SpecialistBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Helping Join the Impact organize three full charter buses to transport activists to/from DC in 2009 for the National Equality March. The turnout was breathtaking.
What causes are you most passionate about?
LGBTQ rights & equality, education, & anything else that ruins Trump’s day.
If you really knew me you would know…
That no one is safe from my practical jokes and sarcasm! 😀 Learn more here.
Favorite pie?
“The pie is a lie.”
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Joshua Johnson Web DesignerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Helping to build infrastructure for an organization focused on community based scholarship and learning in the social sciences and humanities.
What causes are you most passionate about?
The dictatorship of the proletariat.
If you really knew me you would know…
There is no “there” there.
Favorite pie?
?
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Julie Mueller Nonprofit Sales ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Creating a “Sibling Profile” monthly newsletter for SuperSibs! featuring the sisters/brothers of pediatric cancer patients so they would know they are important people too.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Alzheimer’s care, Alzheimer’s family survivorship, Arts & Culture in Chicago, Small Biz Development
If you really knew me you would know…
I can “Name That Tune” in 2 seconds flat. My friends have a yearly competition.
Favorite pie?
Hands down – Strawberry Rhubarb.
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Katie Wohl Product Manager
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Kristina Jakstas Professional Services ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Serving on the board of a health & wellness nonprofit in Austin, TX. It was my first board service experience, and so inspiring to make an impact with individuals in need, and also create community-wide change.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Social justice and equality, health
If you really knew me you would know…
It stresses me out to talk about myself like this 🙂
Favorite pie?
Quiche, or my mom’s apple pie!
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Kyle Smucker Professional Services Consultant
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Laura Block Professional Services ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Playing the flute with Sharing Notes, an organization that brings music into Chicago hospitals, and introducing kids to the instrument by letting them hold the end of the flute and move the keys while I play. Seeing their faces light up when they realize that they’re the one in control of the music is the best moment, every time!
What causes are you most passionate about?
Homelessness services and housing, arts education and access, adult literacy and ESL
If you really knew me you would know…
I raised rabbits growing up – I had 24 of them one year and took them to the National Rabbit Convention!
Favorite pie?
apple + cranberry
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Mary DeMar Professional Services ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
My first job out of college was for a social service organization. It was inspiring to work alongside people who had disabilities
What causes are you most passionate about?
Human Rights, Social Justice, LGBTQQ.
If you really knew me you would know…
I like to treasure hunt in alleys.
Favorite pie?
I’d rather have ice cream.
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Misty Novich Vice President of Payment SolutionsBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Watching my oldest daughter receive National Youth Philanthropist of the year award for NW Arkansas her freshman year of college.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Children, faith-based
If you really knew me you would know…
I think I’m as tall as everyone else
Favorite pie?
stovetop cobbler
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Nikki Diehl Billing & Data Entry SpecialistBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Working with a refugee family from Burma who recently relocated to Rogers Park in North Chicago and helping them adapt to their new life.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Animal Welfare, Environment, Human Rights
If you really knew me you would know…
I have over 1,000 pictures of my cats on my phone.
Favorite pie?
Good Cherry Pie.
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Nina Deremer Vice President of Business OperationsBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
I was running a mentor program at a tech high school and we have a board game/olympic style event with the students. It was amazing to see the kind of deep connections we were forming with each other.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Working with young people to help them make their dreams happen.
If you really knew me you would know…
I am constantly on the lookout for an opportunity to be silly.
Favorite pie?
Pecan all the way!
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Olivia Ayers Nonprofit Sales ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
I had a blast on the team at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago planning and executing the David Bowie Is show!
What causes are you most passionate about?
Arts Advocacy, Social Justice – particularly Feminism, Education
If you really knew me you would know…
I enjoy the finer things in life – especially when it comes to food, interior design and traveling.Favorite pie?
Impossible question, but I’ll go with Key Lime!
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Rashid Chapeyama Web DesignerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Helping with the rebranding of a nonprofit
What causes are you most passionate about?
Equal Rights, Education in poor communities
If you really knew me you would know…
I produced a song for one of kanye wests artist for the madden 2019 soundtrack
Favorite pie?
Pumpkin Pie
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Robin McKay UX DesignerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Making a documentary with the residents at Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House – an organization that serves homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Human Rights
If you really knew me you would know…
that I spent a week trying to think of a cool answer to this.Favorite pie?
Pizza pie!
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Ronnie Gomez Content Marketing AssociateBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
I helped organize a food drive dedicated to collecting non-perishable food items from college students moving out of student housing. We collected 35+ bins of food!
What causes are you most passionate about?
Media literacy, women’s equality (in the US and beyond) and prison reform.
If you really knew me you would know…
I have a go-to karaoke song for every mood.Favorite pie?
Key Lime!
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Russel Katz Professional Services ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Implementing a custom database for a local nonprofit. This involved interviewing the employees and creating something unique for their organization that made everyone’s job easier.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Community organizations, civil liberties and mental health.
If you really knew me you would know…
I love learning about all the different organizations I get to work with and understanding how they make an impact.
Favorite pie?
Bumbleberry
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Sean Dotson Client Success ManagerBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
Teaching an English Lit class the day after the 2016 election.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Education; Economic Justice; Sustainability; Immigration Reform.
If you really knew me you would know…
I have a lifelong love of hip-hop and comic books.
Favorite pie?
Pecan for life.
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Tim Sarrantonio Director of Business DevelopmentBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
I put myself through the same experience as the day laborers I was writing grants to support, heading off at 4am to southside Chicago to try to get work. Opened my eyes to the systemic need for change in our society.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Creating meaningful and systemic changes in our communities to address racism, classism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.
If you really knew me you would know…
I can pair any meal with the perfect craft beer. Then turn it into a fundraiser.
Favorite pie?
Pumpkin pie
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Zach Korotko Nonprofit Sales ConsultantBio
What is your most memorable nonprofit experience?
When you work with kids and teens long enough, you inevitably run into one of them randomly on the street who is all of a sudden an fully-functioning, awesome adult! It’s such a great feeling.
What causes are you most passionate about?
Youth Development and Criminal Justice Reform
If you really knew me you would know…
…that I’m pretty much always ready for a nap.
Favorite pie?
Sweet Potato FTW!