About the Film

UnCharitable is a timely and crucial documentary that uncovers the realities of philanthropy and introduces a radical new way of giving. In an emotional call to action, this powerful film demands that charities be freed from traditional constraints so that they can truly change the world.

Meet Our Panelists

Following the film, stay for an engaging panel discussion featuring thought leaders and changemakers as they share insights on reimagining what nonprofit impact can look like.

  • Stephen Gyllenhaal is an accomplished director, writer, and producer with a career spanning decades in both film and television. Known for his thoughtful and socially conscious storytelling, Gyllenhaal brought his talents to the nonprofit sector through his direction of UnCharitable, a powerful documentary that challenges traditional views of charity and philanthropy. His work on the film underscores his passion for exploring complex social issues and advocating for systemic change.

    Beyond UnCharitable, Gyllenhaal has consistently used his platform to elevate underrepresented voices and foster dialogue around justice, equity, and innovation in the nonprofit space. His creative vision and commitment to meaningful storytelling make him a compelling advocate for reimagining how impact-driven work is funded and valued.

  • Wayne Niederhauser is a former state legislator serving in the Utah State Senate for twelve and a half years, six of those years as Senate President. His administration was marked by a measured and collaborative approach to policy. He helped lead the State out of the Great Recession into an era of great prosperity. The focus of his efforts and leadership was centered around the need to address the challenges of Utah’s amazing growth.


    Wayne received his education from Utah State University where he earned a master’s degree in accounting. While attending the University, he met and married his wife, Melissa Barrett. They have been married for forty years and have five children and two grandchildren.

    His public service now consists full-time as the Utah Homelessness Coordinator and Chief Administrative Officer of the Office of Homeless Services.


    Wayne has worked hard to learn about Utah’s homelessness response system. He has traveled the state to meet with local officials and providers of homeless services, but his best understanding has come from visiting with those who are experiencing homelessness, which he does on a weekly basis. Key accomplishments in his first two years as coordinator are: complete revision of Utah’s Plan to Address Homelessness, unprecedented funding from the legislature for deeply affordable housing and services, significant policy changes through legislation and more effective coordination.

  • Kathy serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for Volunteers of America, Utah. She is responsible for the overall management, fiscal stability, and strategic direction of the organization. She is a Certified Social Worker with more than twenty-five years of experience in direct client service and administration of homeless and substance abuse related programs. Kathy has also served as the Director of Detoxification Services and Vice President of Programs during her tenure at VOA Utah.

  • Melissa Hart has spent the last decade working in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, including leading a family office focused on community investment. She also served as an associate producer on the documentary UnCharitable, which challenges the myths and constraints that hold back social change. Today she brings her perspective on how funders and organizations can work together to create lasting impact.

Meet Our Moderator

  • Melanie Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Leadership Institute, Utah’s premier organization dedicated to elevating professional women through cohort-based training programs and corporate partnerships. In her role, Melanie is committed to changing the experience and narrative of what it means to be a businesswoman in Utah.

    Melanie brings over 25 years of business leadership experience to WLI, most recently serving as the award-winning editor-in-chief of Utah Business. Previously, she spent decades in the medical device manufacturing industry in leadership roles at Ultradent Products, where she created “Icons of Dentistry,” a workshop exclusively for women dentists, and later as Chief of Staff and VP of Planning at Younique.

    A recognized thought leader, Melanie has spoken at events including the Silicon Slopes Summit and interviewed business leaders for podcasts and on-stage fireside chats, including Jason Feifer, Aaron Skonnard, Jacki Zehner, Allyse Jackson and more. She co-authored an online video course on creating monetizable YouTube content and has ghostwritten for executives and community leaders.

    Melanie earned her bachelor’s degree from BYU Idaho in digital communication and media, and holds certificates from NYU/Rolling Stone in modern journalism, Harvard Business School Online in business fundamentals, and the University of British Columbia in web analytics.

    Committed to advancing women’s leadership, Melanie serves as an ambassador for the Utah Women & Leadership Project and co-leads the Organizational Strategies Spoke of A Bolder Way Forward. She sits on the Thanksgiving Point Science Center Advisory Council and has served as a curator and speaking coach for TEDxSaltLakeCity. Melanie engages actively with her community as a frequent emcee, panelist, and podcast guest.

    Outside of work, Melanie started and ran a community produce co-op for six years. She loves reading books from different countries, traveling with her husband and four children, and credits both travel and the co-op for making her kids the least picky eaters she has ever met.

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