Category: Our Associates

Associate

Barzella Papa has a proven track record of nonprofit leadership and exceptional communication as a published author and sought-after keynote speaker over the course of her 20-year career in the nonprofit sector. She is the current President and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, and during her 14-year tenure, she has raised more than $36 million in local support for a variety of causes. Under her direction, the Community Foundation has grown to more than $21 million in charitable funds, been awarded more than $21 million in grants, secured $15 million in planned gifts, and launched such successful initiatives such as the Women’s Giving Circle, the Amazing Give and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
She is a past president of the Junior League of Gainesville where she created the League’s signature fundraising event: The Tour of Kitchens. Her service to the League earned her the Most Outstanding Volunteer Award and the Legacy Award within seven years of service.
Her many other awards include the Girl Scouts Women Who Make a Difference, the Fierce Award recipient from Business in North Central Florida Magazine, and a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Gainesville.
Barzella graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Communications and worked in major publishing houses before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. She is also an alumnus of Leadership Florida Class XXVII and has served on the Board of Directors for the University of Florida Performing Arts Center and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Barzella is an expert in Board Training, Management and Governance. She also has extensive experience in Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies, Donor and Constituent Engagement, Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning, Major and Principal Gifts, Planned and Legacy Gifts and Project Management

Sector Experience: Community Based Membership and Advocacy; Nonprofit Management; Membership-based Organizations; Foundations

Barzella’s fundraising must have: Infrastructure and processes in place for transparency, donor management, and accountability. Late thank you notes, donations not attributed properly and no follow up with donors are sure-fire ways to lose their support forever!

Contact Barzella at: [email protected]

Senior Associate

With over 25 years of experience, Mark is an accomplished performance-focused and highly analytical professional with extensive experience in development. He is expert at securing major and principal gifts, formulating and implementing fundraising plans, as well as managing development operations and activities. He is an effective leader and adept at utilizing out-of-the box approaches in supervising and motivating development officers. Mark is also known for problem-solving and critical thinking skills in evaluating issues, formulating strategic action plans, and resolving complex situations. He was part of the team that brought in the largest gift to Florida State University – a $100 million gift to create the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. Mark is currently the Director of Major Gifts for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Mark’s core expertise is in Major and Principal Gifts. He also has extensive experience in Board Training, Management and Governance; Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies; Donor and Constituent Engagement; Fundraising Campaigns and Strategic Planning; Interim Program Management; Planned and Legacy Gifts; and Project Management.

Sector Experience: Higher Education, Arts & Culture, Nonprofit Management

Mark’s fundraising must have: A good database, a compelling story and a board that is involved in the organization’s fundraising goals.

Contact Mark at: [email protected]

Senior Associate

With over 25 years of experience as a senior private sector executive, Phil Owen transitioned into the nonprofit sector and has excelled at working with social entrepreneurs and enterprises on strategy creation and execution, business plan development, and securing major donor and corporate partnerships.
Throughout his career, Phil has been a strong advocate of diversity and equality in the workplace, advising Fortune 2000 companies and their foundations on corporate social responsibility awareness and solutions. More recently he has been advising start-up social enterprises on program management, governance structuring, expansion opportunities with private sector companies, and creating earned revenue strategies. Phil earned a master’s degree in Finance and Marketing from Adelphi University.

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Phil’s core expertise is in Board Training and Governance. His multi-faceted career and senior level leadership experience includes: Venture Philanthropy Advisory, Earned Revenue Expansion Strategy, Constituent and Corporate Relations, Fundraising and Strategic Planning and Program Management.

Sector Experience: While Phil has advised multiple sectors, he continues to share his knowledge and experiences in the areas of Education and Community Based Membership and Advocacy

Philip’s fundraising must have: Passion for the mission and clear strategy with short and long term measurable goals.

Contact Philip at: [email protected]

Senior Associate

Amanda Nicol has more than 20 years of experience as a result-driven professional specializing in Business Development, Partnership Management, and Digital Marketing. Amanda’s nonprofit experience has included work in the visual arts, sports, and education sectors. Over the course of her career, she has worked with leading organizations including The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Independent Curators International (ICI), The Peddie School, Princeton Arts Council, the eLab at Princeton University’s Keller Center, USRowing, and Girls on the Run-NJ-East.  

Amanda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tufts University, a Business Retail Management Certificate from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and a Mini MBA certificate from Rutgers University Business School. 

Fundraising Area of Expertise: Direct Marketing, Donor and Constituent Engagement  

Sector Experience: Arts and Culture, Education, Community Based Membership and Advocacy 

Amanda’s fundraising must have: Long-term goals aligned with daily strategy implementation. Transparency, communication, a team, and executive board willing to take suggestions. 

Contact Amanda at: [email protected]