Louisville, Kentucky, United States
With over 20 years of experience launching, scaling, and transforming organizations, I specialize in driving sustainable growth for nonprofits, government agencies, and mission-driven enterprises. My career has spanned executive leadership, revenue development, and strategic partnerships, enabling organizations to expand their impact, strengthen operations, and increase revenue. I have successfully built and led regional offices, developed large-scale programs, and implemented innovative engagement and communications strategies. My ability to cultivate high-value partnerships with enterprises, influencers, and community leaders has consistently resulted in increased funding, operational efficiencies, and broader community reach. Core expertise includes: -Launching, Scaling, and Transforming Organizations -Fundraising & Revenue Growth -Strategic Planning & Execution -Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement -Program Development & Scale -Team Development & Leadership I am originally from San Diego, California where I grew up on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. I moved to Louisville in 2018 with my wife Sarah, who is from Henderson, Kentucky. We have two children who are the light of our lives. I am a committed volunteer with various causes, including current and former membership on boards and committees at The Louisville Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, La Casita Center, Wesley House, Louisville Mayor’s International Advisory Council, Greater Louisville Inc., Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University, Barrio Logan College Institute, and United Way of Kentucky. Feel free to connect with me via direct message.
Serve as strategic partner and executive coach to CEOs and leadership teams of nonprofit local newsrooms across the country, helping them set and execute ambitious revenue growth strategies Steward a portfolio of multimillion-dollar investments, supporting organizations to double and triple revenue while building long-term financial sustainability Partner with grantee leaders to unlock new sources of philanthropic, community, and earned revenue, positioning local newsrooms as essential civic institutions in their markets Collaborate across AJP's national portfolio to surface insights, build community among grantee leaders, and develop resources that strengthen the broader local news ecosystem Actively build external relationships and a pipeline of current and future grantees across the nonprofit news sector Contribute to AJP's mission of rebuilding local news across the country — ensuring communities have access to trusted, independent journalism that strengthens democracy
Strengthen the fundraising and development capacity of a global network of organizations with a combined annual budget of more than $400M. Lead the Matching Grant and Financial Crisis Grant and convene grantees, colleagues, and volunteer reviewers to make processes more flexible, transparent, and aligned with trust-based philanthropy. Drive exploration and implementation of AI tools to expand fundraising capacity, convening global experts to help nonprofits scale revenue and impact more efficiently. Recruit, onboard, and engage diverse global reviewers to strengthen equity in grantmaking. Provide 1:1 coaching to social entrepreneurs from around the globe, with a focus on the Global South, in the areas of strategic planning, board management, fundraising, and development.
Selected from among local and national candidates to become the first Chief Development Officer for Metro United Way; responsible for bringing together a disparate, 20-person group of corporate, individual, and foundation fundraisers and creating a unified vision and set of goals. Led team to work cross-functionally while pursuing stretch goals to achieve trajectory-defying revenue targets – $26.3M in the first year, more than $27M in the second year, and a record-breaking $52M in the third year. Partnered with CEO and Board Chair to recruit, onboard, and manage first-ever Development Committee of the board, which produced a comprehensive, strategic, multi-year fundraising plan to build and sustain success of development operations. Managed teams that demonstrated success in securing $1M+ revenue from varied sources, including $5M in revenue from UPS corporate partnership, $3M multi-year grant from JPM Chase Foundation, and seven-figure gifts from individual philanthropists; oversaw growth of endowment from about $2M to more than $21M.
Led market research and partnership development to support launch of new regional program, conducted interviews with over 500 residents, and created localized messaging to develop network of influencers, leaders and philanthropists that helped to create support for new chapter; secured $2.5M in first 6 months, established partnership with largest district, recruited new Board, and garnered positive media coverage for TFA in San Diego. Grew region to 40 teachers serving 3,000 students, with over 140 individuals serving since 2012, and developed partnerships with 4 local districts and 12 charter schools; able to secure ongoing and expanding relationships with districts, provided hands on support and issue resolution, and ensured recruited teachers exceed administration's expectations and improved impact on all students. Designed and led strategy to establish partnerships with local school districts and enterprises, focused on recruiting teachers that represented the diversity of San Diego students, and gained buy in from company executives to establish new and innovative career curriculum and opportunities; successfully secured partnerships with 4 local districts including San Diego Unified, the largest and most politically-complex district in the county. Created a 10% point improvement in teacher leadership metrics in 2017 with highest teacher satisfaction since launch; over 80% of teachers that completed commitment have stayed in education in San Diego, and 100% of principals stated they were satisfied or highly satisfied with the teachers they hired from TFA. Secured funding and partnerships with top influencers and companies to contribute multi-year commitments of up to $500K with largest contributing more than $1M cumulatively; entering 2nd year of 10% growth in fundraising.
Founded and led marketing efforts for non-profit serving Latino undergrads with a 6-week professional development and mentorship program; responsible for developing launch vision and operations, led outreach to potential donors and school partners, and managed marketing actions to recruit students to participate in program. Worked with co-founders to develop components for successful launch, in charge of development and execution of all marketing efforts focused on assembling market data and conducting analysis, recruiting and securing board members, and funding member recruitment. Led focus groups to reach out to community to understand member preferences, identified and engaged organizations with relevant audience, marketed to invitees to ensure strong attendance, and developed questions to collect relevant input to program design process; updated program to include feedback related to student issues transitioning from college to career, desire to engage peers and role models, and developing an understanding of peer-to-peer learning. Co-created new progress model and program focused on cultural competence, peer-to-peer learning, and collection and rapid integration of participant feedback; increased capacity to serve students with less labor and capital, while 83% of participants found curriculum engaging, 73% found partner feedback helpful and insightful, and 70% agreed exercises contributed to professional and personal development.