Category: America Associates

Junior Associate

With more than 8 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Amanda Leininger possesses expertise in social media, events management, data analytics, corporate giving, project management, and content production and editing. Her career has included various roles in marketing, communications, corporate relations, development and events for Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Amanda’s previous successes include overseeing production and acting as lead writer of the development section of the award-winning Hopkins Children’s magazine. She also developed and led the multi-channel social media strategy for the hospital, with consistently increasing growth and engagement. Additionally, through content production and volunteer engagement strategies she helped elevate the Children’s Center’s annual Radiothon fundraising event to the most successful event of its kind in the US, raising over $1M each year.
Amanda holds a Master of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Corporate and Nonprofit Communication, Public and Media Relations, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Theatre Arts and Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Amanda’s core expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement. Data Analytics, Direct Marketing, Project Management

Sector Experience: Healthcare, Arts & Culture

Amanda’s fundraising must have: A strong “why” and personal story––no matter your cause, your personal connection and passion is crucial to helping inspire others to give.

Contact Amanda at: [email protected]

Senior Associate

Michael Koch is a visionary business and nonprofit executive, accomplished agent for change, strategic thinker and an effective leader with more than 30 years of experience in philanthropy. Michael has a proven track record creating and implementing innovative models and start-ups that are transformative and drive large-scale change, improve systems, and achieve greater social impact. He has co-founded and held senior management and leadership roles with healthcare organizations and foundations where he oversaw daily operations related to Board relations and investment frameworks, implemented short- and long-term goals, and collectively raised hundreds of millions of dollars in support of healthy families, children, and those in hospice care. Michael is a tireless advocate dedicated to promoting social justice, inclusion, and shaping public policy with the goal to reduce inequities and improve the health and well-being of underserved and vulnerable populations. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University.

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Michael’s core expertise is in Board Training, Management and Governance. He also has impressive experience in Designing Strategies that Achieve Results; Donor Engagement and Relationships; Capacity Building; Project Management; Identifying, Cultivating, and Securing Major Gifts; Cause-Related Marketing Campaigns; Program-Related Investments; Feasibility Studies; Impactful Giving Strategies for Family Foundations and Donor-Advised Funds; Professional Coaching; Philanthropy and Grantmaking; Civic Engagement; Marketing and Branding

Sector Experience: Health and Human Services; Children’s Services; Social Services; Hospitals; Community-Based Organizations

Michael’s fundraising must have: A strategic plan, solid value proposition, flexibility and agility to make adjustments, creativity, Board engagement, and leverage opportunities

Contact Michael at: [email protected]

Associate

Joy Kliewer’s career spans almost 20 years in education and nonprofit fundraising, communications and outreach, and alumni and donor relations. Currently serving as Director of Development at UCI Health System, Joy served as Associate Vice President for Advancement at Pitzer College, was the founding Dean of the College of Education and Assistant Professor at Argosy University Orange County, Director of Alumni and Donor Relations at Claremont Graduate University, and has served in various capacities for Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, the 18th Street Arts Center, The Broad Stage, Mirman School, Fountain Valley School of Colorado and Western University of Health Sciences.  

She is author of the book The Innovative Campus: Nurturing the Distinctive Learning Environment (American Council on Education/Greenwood Press). 

Joy holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the Claremont Graduate University, an MA in Higher Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology Cum Laude, from the University of California, Irvine.    

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Joy’s core expertise is in Donor and Constituent Engagement. She also has extensive experience in Advancement Services, particularly Prospect Research, Alumni Relations and Giving, and Direct Marketing and Annual Giving.  

Sector Experience: Joy has worked across a variety of sectors, including Education, Arts and Culture, and Healthcare  

Joy’s fundraising must have: A dedicated team with a passion for their work and realistic goals to guide their success. 

Contact Joy at: [email protected]

Senior Associate

Peter Jones is a mission-committed life-long fundraising professional with a 30 plus year track record working with local, regional, national, and international organizations in the pursuit of best practices. Familiar with all aspects of the fundraising cycle and corresponding implementation, including annual, planned, and institutional fundraising, major and principal gifts are among his greatest strengths. Peter has extensive experience in the conservation community, having worked for national conservation organizations such as the National Audubon Society, The Trust for Public Land, The Wilderness Society, the Green Party of Canada, and the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation in Sulawesi Indonesia.  

Peter earned a degree in Economic and Political Science from the University of New Hampshire. 

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Major and Principal gifts. Peter also has extensive experience with Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Direct Marketing and Annual Giving, Donor and Constituent Engagement and Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies 

Sector Experience: Community Based Membership and Advocacy. 

Peter’s fundraising must have: Every organization should have a strategic plan and an engaged and committed board.

Contact Peter at: [email protected]

Senior Associate

Karen Jenkins has served in executive positions with NGO/nonprofit and higher education organizations in over 30 countries. Previous consulting assignments have included the US State Department, Roots of Development, Ford Foundation, SwissContact, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and Oxford Study Abroad Programme (OSAP) at Oxford University.

Her previous leadership positions include:

• Executive Director, African Studies Association, the premier organization in higher education in the US and abroad focused on the study and dissemination of research and information about the continent of Africa.

• President, BCA Study Abroad, a non-profit consortium of higher education institutions that operates international education programs with a peace and justice focus. During her tenure as president, new programs were opened in Cuba, Ireland, New Zealand and India.

• Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) where, as the first person to hold the new position, she oversaw the launch of successful fundraising strategies to foundations, corporations, and governments.

She has had extensive experience in international education (St. Olaf College, Dickinson College and The College of New Jersey) where she was recognized nationally for her leadership.

For nearly a decade, Karen worked in Zambia on programs and projects intended to build local institutional capacity and improve the quality of life for those who are poor, marginalized, persecuted, or force to flee as refugees. In Zambia, she served as the Resident Representative for Africare, a US NGO and then as Executive Director of New Development Applications (NDA), a consulting firm that served public and private clients throughout southern Africa. With NDA, she administered community development funds for Barclays Bank in Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.

For the Government of Canada, she managed the High Commissioner’s Fund in Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, and South Africa. Other clients of NDA with projects on the continent of Africa included the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Frankfurt Zoological Society and Salesians Missions.

Before moving to Zambia, Karen was a program officer for Africa with Technoserve and traveled and worked in Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She taught at the University of Zambia and then at the School for International Training in Vermont.

Karen served as the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Studies in International Education and wrote regular columns on International Education for Diverse Issues in Higher Education. She has published on International Education, International Development and recently on issues related to biking and walking. Additionally, she has made numerous presentations before large and small audiences and has extensive experience in public relations and managing large complex events in the U.S. and abroad.

Ms. Jenkins is a partner with Social Venture Partners-CT (SVP). She is a founding board member of the New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation (NHCAT) and previously served as chair of the Mayor’s Taskforce on Bike Education in New Haven. She is an appointed member of the New Haven Historic District Commission. Board service includes chair of the Board of Directors of the League of American Bicyclists. On completion of her extended term, she was voted “Director Emerita” in recognition of her service. She is certified as a League Cycling Instructor. She served as chair of the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition (NJBWC). Board membership includes the New Brunswick (NJ) Ciclovia, International Education Research Foundation (IERF), Model UN/HBCU of the United Nations Association, and Minnesota International Health Volunteers.

Ms. Jenkins now serves as a Senior Consultant for S. Sutton & Associates Inc. and as an independent consultant specializing in fundraising and board development for non-profit organizations, usually with international missions. She currently receives clients assigned by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Karen received her M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and conducted her undergraduate work was at Fisk University.

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Karen’s predominant expertise is in Board Training, Management and Governance. She also has a wealth of experience in Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Major and Principal Gifts, Planned and Legacy Gifts, Donor and Constituent Engagement, Project Management, and Data Analytics.

Sector Experience: Higher Education, Community Based Membership and Advocacy and International Development.

Karen’s fundraising must have: A commitment to our shared humanity and teamwork that effectively crosses domestic and international boundaries for solutions to our increasingly common problems.

Executive Associate

Johnathan Jacoby is an experienced and proven fundraiser, planner, and organization builder who has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. Over the course of his notable career, Jonathan has focused on innovation and change in American foreign policy, civil society, biomedical research, healthcare, and education, serving as co-founder or in executive level roles with nonprofit organizations working to preserve democracy and peace abroad and help those with rare diseases, including New Israel Fund, Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Israel Policy Forum, and Americans for Peace.  

He has conducted fundraising campaigns, facilitated high-level relationship building, and implemented strategic plans for nonprofits with small budgets and operational capabilities as well as large organizations with close ties to leading political figures.   

Jonathan holds a Master of Education from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Arts, History of Religion from the University of California Los Angeles, a Bachelor of Literature, Judaic Studies form the University of Judaism and is a Genetic Alliance and Kaufman Foundation Fellow.  

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Jonathan’s predominant expertise is Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning. He also has experience and skill in Advancement Services; Board Training, Management and Governance; Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies; and Donor and Constituent Engagement.

Sector Experience: Healthcare, International Development, Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Jonathan’s fundraising must have: A solid in-house professional staff and a dedicated board

Contact Jonathan at: [email protected]