Teaming Up

Building long-term, meaningful relationships is the goal of events and fundraising. So too, our team of experienced professionals builds partnerships with our clients. And it works. Year after year, the clients who return to us and the donors who return looking for new funding opportunities demonstrate this.

Julie Wadler

President

Julie Wadler founded epiphany productions, inc. in 1996, growing it into a highly acclaimed fundraising and event planning company. Julie has more than 20 years of fundraising and event planning experience for a wide range of political, corporate and nonprofit clients. Hailing from New York, Julie started her career working for Senator Alfonse D’Amato and then truly settled into Washington, DC after graduating from American University. She also served as the deputy finance director for the NRCC during the 1996 election cycle, raising a record $100 million.

Julie also has three other successful enterprises that are recognized for their superior products and service: Comitatus Consulting, a firm dedicated to using new technology to connect clients with donors and constituents; 3 Dog Consulting LTD; and KRM Executive Livery, an event transportation company. Active in the community, she sits on the board of directors of AHOPE For Children.

Michelle Payne

Vice President of Development

In October 2013 Michelle Shiffer Payne joined the epiphany team, adding her nearly 20 years of nonprofit management and development experience to our firm. With Julie, Michelle runs our non-profit practice, bringing a depth of knowledge and experience in raising funds from individuals, foundations, corporations and government agencies for non-profits.

Throughout her career, she has raised more than $100 million for non-profits. Michelle has held top development positions at such diverse organizations as Zero to Three, National Wildlife Federation, and Charities Aid Foundation America. Her roles have included guiding a $30 million comprehensive campaign, overseeing a $16 million per year donor-advised grant making program, and creating a full-service development program.

Michelle holds a BA from Allegheny College, and has completed master’s coursework in Nonprofit Management at George Mason University. She volunteers her time as a career mentor for students at Allegheny College, and as a coach for the Blessed Sacrament School track and field team. She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and four children.