Our Leadership Team

J.R. Howard is the Chief Executive Officer of Upic Solutions, bringing more than 28 years of experience in information technology. His career spans from end-user support to system design and development, with leadership roles that have transformed IT functions into trusted business partners. Before becoming CEO, he served as Upic’s Director of CRM Strategic Services and previously led CRM initiatives in the private sector as a project lead for a national manufacturing company.

He holds a BBA in Information Systems from the University of Cincinnati and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. J.R. has contributed to the broader technology community as Co-Chair of the Cincinnati Chapter of the CRMUG Dynamics Community and as part of the Executive Host Committee for TechSummit Cincinnati. His achievements have earned recognition including LEAD Magazine’s IT Leadership Award and Cincinnati’s Power500 List of Technology Leaders.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, J.R. lives with his wife and two daughters. Outside of work, he’s active in youth sports and education, enjoys tennis, and appreciates a good glass of wine with friends and family.

Brianne Waugh serves as Vice President of Organizational Development at Upic Solutions, partnering with nonprofits to strengthen their people and processes. From quick HR check-ins (like compliance reviews or Employee Handbook updates) to larger initiatives such as performance management systems and ongoing HR support, Brianne ensures organizations have what they need to reach their goals and help their teams thrive.

Her career spans multiple industries including manufacturing, product management, customer service, and sales, supporting teams both in the U.S. and abroad. Before joining Upic, she spent eight years as a Director at an HR consulting firm, where she worked closely with businesses and nonprofits as their trusted HR advisor.

Brianne has also shared her expertise in the classroom as an instructor of HR Management and Organizational Behavior at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, where she was honored as “Professor of the Month” by the Women in Business chapter and received a faculty commendation for outstanding teaching.

Passionate about employee development, retention, and engagement, Brianne fosters inclusive, collaborative relationships with leaders and their teams. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina and a master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from UNC Charlotte. She is also an Organization Development Certified Professional (ODCP) through the Institute of Organization Development.

Donald Bayne serves as Vice President of Customer Success at Upic Solutions, where he partners with United Ways and nonprofit organizations across North America to help them strengthen operations, leverage technology, and increase organizational effectiveness. Working closely with executive leadership, Donald helps organizations identify challenges, evaluate opportunities, and connect the right combination of people, processes, technology, and data to support their mission and maximize community impact.

With more than 35 years of experience serving the nonprofit sector, Donald has spent his career helping organizations simplify complex operations and make better use of technology. In 1991, he founded Cascade Data Solutions, a consulting and custom software development firm dedicated to creating practical, cost-effective solutions for United Ways and fundraising organizations. Over the next 29 years, Cascade became a trusted partner to hundreds of nonprofits nationwide before joining Upic Solutions in 2020.

Today, Donald works with nonprofit leaders throughout the country to understand their goals, share best practices from across the sector, and help them evaluate solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen financial sustainability, reduce operational complexity, and position their organizations for long-term success. His broad perspective, built from decades of experience and relationships throughout the United Way network, enables him to connect organizations with ideas and approaches that have proven successful for others facing similar challenges.

A familiar face throughout the United Way network for more than two decades, Donald has attended United Way conferences across the country since 1999 and has served on the board of a local United Way. He is known for his collaborative approach, long-term relationships, and commitment to helping nonprofit leaders succeed.

Donald is passionate about helping those who help others and believes that when organizations have the right operational foundation, they are better equipped to focus on what matters most: creating stronger communities and changing lives.

Matt Morris is the Chief Financial Officer of Upic Solutions, where he leads the organization’s financial strategy, planning, and operations. With 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, he’s recognized for his fiscal stewardship, strategic insight, and commitment to organizational impact. His expertise spans financial strategy, compliance, and risk management, with a particular focus on nonprofit financial leadership.

Before joining Upic Solutions in 2024, Matt served as Director of Finance and later Chief Financial Officer at the United Way of Greater Toledo, guiding financial management and strategic initiatives for more than a decade. He began his career as an auditor with a public accounting firm, developing a strong foundation in financial reporting and audit practices. Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting, graduating cum laude from the University of Toledo, and holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in the state of Ohio.

Craig Irvin is the VP of IT Operations at Upic Solutions, specializing in IT infrastructure, cloud services, and managed technology solutions for nonprofit organizations. He helps nonprofits leverage technology to improve efficiency, and operational effectiveness while leading strategic initiatives in compliance, modernization, and service delivery. Passionate about automation and process improvement, Craig is dedicated to using technology to eliminate manual effort, streamline operations, and create scalable solutions that empower both teams and organizations.