Our Team
Nathan Staub
Managing Partner of Calvin Edwards & Company
Nathan Staub is the managing partner of Calvin Edwards & Company (CEC), a philanthropic consulting and research firm (now a part of Blue Trust). Mr. Staub joined CEC to bridge a gap he observed between the traditional, often-repeated stories leaders and fundraisers share about a nonprofit—and the organization’s current level of work and impact in the field. After years of successful work and mentorship under Calvin Edwards, the founder of CEC, Mr. Staub took the helm as its leader in 2022.
Under Mr. Staub’s leadership, CEC’s philanthropic research and advisory services publish more than 1,500 pages of original research each year. He has personally conducted due diligence on nonprofits in over 30 countries on 5 continents and continues to produce primary research in addition to leading the organization.
Prior to his tenure at CEC, Mr. Staub served as Director of Acquisitions for a boutique investment firm in Atlanta, where he also led the partnership with an industry-leading non-profit.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played football and was named to the All-ACC Academic team for consecutive years.
On a volunteer basis, Mr. Staub is a sought-after facilitator and advisor to select nonprofits on areas involving fundraising, measurement and evaluation, and governance. He also regularly speaks to donor groups about wise giving, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector.
Mr. Staub met his wife, Hero, in Hawaii, and they have lived in the Atlanta area for five years, where they enjoy paddle boarding, game nights, and Braves baseball.
Calvin Edwards
Founder of Calvin Edwards & Company
Founded in 2001; this venture builds on Mr. Edwards’ 20+ prior years of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit world and financial services sector. From 1996 to 2000 he was a part of the senior management team, and a principal, at Ronald Blue & Company (RB&Co.), an investment advisory firm. Mr. Edwards worked closely with Ron Blue on the growth and strategic direction of the company. It was here that Edwards recognized that affluent donors could benefit from wise professional counsel regarding strategic giving.
Previously, Mr. Edwards was the chief operating officer for Peter Lowe International (PLI) in Tampa, Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting time-proven values that help make great people and communities. PLI convened business mega-seminars (10,000+ attendees per event) featuring prominent, high-profile celebrities from government, business, sports, religion, science, and the media.
Prior to PLI, Mr. Edwards was executive vice president of Walk Thru the Bible Ministries (WTB) in Atlanta with responsibility to manage its four revenue centers, international outreach, and business operations. He joined WTB in 1985 and led an expanding publishing division for more than five years before assuming leadership of the entire company’s operations in 1991.
Earlier, Mr. Edwards was president of Good News Unlimited, a rapidly growing interdenominational ministry in Auburn, California. There he developed a nationally syndicated radio program, published a magazine, and convened frequent weekend conferences.
Mr. Edwards previously taught in parochial schools for some years as well as lectured in freshman calculus and algebra while in graduate school.
Mr. Edwards has served on the board of 17 nonprofit organizations and helped to found seven. He has written and lectured extensively on nonprofit management, effective philanthropy, and a wide range of related technical topics. As an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, he taught a course on Principles of Effective Philanthropy, and lectured on nonprofit program evaluation at Georgia State University and national conferences.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree with a double major in literature and religion from Pacific Union College and a diploma in education from Avondale College. He also earned a master of divinity from Andrews University where he graduated summa cum laude, and a master of business administration from Georgia State University, which he completed with a 4.0 GPA.
Articles authored by Mr. Edwards have been published in a variety of magazines, and he has often been quoted in the Wall Street Journal. He was the general editor for the Family Walk series of books and senior editor for the Youthwalk Devotional Bible (finalist for a Gold Medallion award). In 2001 Andrews University Press published his Seeker After Light, the biography of theologian Albion Fox Ballenger, which was co-authored with Professor Gary Land. He has contributed to the publication of 30+ books.
Mr. Edwards came to the U.S. from Australia in 1979 and is a naturalized American. He is married with two adult children, and enjoys reading, snow skiing, and running 10K road races.
Josh Polgardi
Josh Polgardi serves as Head of Research at Calvin Edwards & Company (CEC), a philanthropic consulting and research firm (now part of Blue Trust). As CEC’s most recent addition, Josh brings more than a decade of research, writing, marketing, and operations leadership to oversee the firm’s research initiatives, ensuring clients receive clear, actionable products that inform their giving strategies.
Prior to joining CEC, Josh served as VP of Accounts, Content, & Operations at Yonder Agency; Product Marketing Manager at Acuity Brands Lighting; Content Manager at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; and more than a decade as an independent marketing and content development consultant for clients across the U.S. In addition, Josh regularly donates to and volunteers at organizations that build beds for more than 1.5 million kids in the U.S. who have nowhere to sleep.
Josh received a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in religion from Lee University in 2008. When he’s not conducting research or consulting with clients, Josh enjoys spending time with friends and family, fly fishing, and cooking. Josh and his wife, Kristin, recently welcomed their son Gavin to the family.
Jim McGee
Jim McGee joined Calvin Edwards & Company in 2017. He conducts analysis for, and consults with, charitable organizations and donors. Based on qualitative and quantitative research, he prepares business-quality reports. Mr. McGee has been instrumental in the firm's work in developing impact-measurement systems. He has extensive experience training and supervising data collectors for international program evaluation. Other areas of specialty include survey sampling, instrument design, multivariate statistical modeling, and moderation of live and online focus groups.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. McGee conducted research for charitable organizations for more than 20 years, including stints as vice president of Campbell Rinker (marketing research supplier) and director of research for Cargill Associates (fundraising consultancy). Mr. McGee has done work in more than 20 countries, including residencies in Malaysia and Russia. He currently resides with his family in Colorado. Mr. McGee holds an MS in marketing research from the University of Texas at Arlington and a BA in journalism from Texas Christian University.
Madison Speed
Madison Speed assists Calvin Edwards & Company with administrative needs as well as research analysis work. She joined CEC in 2022.
Previously, she worked as a paralegal for a large international law firm where she was heavily involved in litigation and several courtroom trials. She earned a paralegal certificate from the University of Georgia in Athens and her bachelor of science with a major in criminal justice from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
Emma Whitacre
Emma Whitacre joined Calvin Edwards & Company in 2022 as a research analyst. She undertakes in-depth research and utilizes her solid writing skills to produce high-quality reports on behalf of CEC clientele.
Prior to joining the firm, Emma worked as the lead dissertation editor and research assistant for Harding University’s doctoral program. She brings knowledge from her experience working in ministry and non-profit sectors. She has also taught English and literature classes on both the secondary and collegiate levels.
Emma graduated with a bachelor of arts in English along with a masters of arts in teaching with an emphasis in English and literature studies from Harding University.
Scott Bryant
Scott Bryant is a research analyst with Calvin Edwards & Company. His work with CEC began in 2022. Mr. Bryant provides high-quality research, analytical, evaluation, writing, and report preparation services to donor and nonprofit organization clients.
Prior to working with CEC, Mr. Bryant worked for City Line Church in metro Philadelphia in partnership with Pioneers, where he was engaged in his community consisting of people from over 70 nations. His other previous employment includes serving as Director of Mercy Ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Athens, Georgia; supporting political refugees through the resettlement process with Jubilee Partners; and filling the role of editor and research assistant with Towers Perrin (now WTW).
Mr. Bryant received a bachelor of arts degree with majors in English and mathematics from Vanderbilt University and earned a master of divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary.
Karen Caswell
Karen Caswell is a research analyst with Calvin Edwards & Company. She performs due diligence on charitable organizations and creates investment-grade reports that help guide donors’ giving decisions. Ms. Caswell also worked with CEC from 2005-08, rejoining the firm in 2024. In her three years of prior tenure, her projects spanned 29 countries on five continents.
With both a consulting and “client-side” business background, Ms. Caswell’s experience lies in strategy and research. Prior to rejoining CEC, for ten years she was a self-employed consultant and served Fortune 500, industry-leading private companies, startups, and nonprofits – including faith-based ministries. Her career includes five years in the UK and Europe.
Volunteer-wise, Ms. Caswell has 25 + years of layperson ministry experience, including seven years of formal training. She’s coached professional women to help them gain clarity and healing after pain or loss. And she’s co-led small groups, most recently a weekly prayer call.
Ms. Caswell holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and an MBA with a marketing concentration from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
Outside of work, she enjoys time with family and friends, overall fitness, and reading – especially nonfiction and classics for her monthly book club.