Richard L. Tollefson, Jr.
Founder & President
The values and identity of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group are a reflection of its founder and president. “I believe in the greater good and our role in it,” Richard says. “It’s what drives me, and us, to empower our clients to optimize their impact and generate lasting change in the world.”
Richard’s passion for development and the nonprofit sector was inspired by his parents. “They were ‘can do, must do’ people – hard-working volunteers, effective and transformative community leaders, and engaged philanthropists.”
As an adult, Richard has aspired to achieve similar leadership and impact. As the vice president for institutional advancement at his alma mater, Thunderbird School of Global Management, he managed two comprehensive fundraising campaigns, raising funds and managing constituent engagement programs in 26 countries, and secured the largest-ever naming gift to a college or business school in the world at the time. Richard transformed Thunderbird’s alumni association into a global professional association, created a corporate relationship management structure to generate revenue and manage relationships across all parts of the institution, and managed conferences, seminars, and events around the world. Over his career, Richard successfully guided many other acclaimed arts, culture, and educational institutions, including Master Chorale of Orange County, The Joffrey Ballet, the University of Arizona, and Arizona State University, where he was part of the campaign leadership team.
Richard was the 2015 recipient of Social Venture Partners’ highest honor, the Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award, and is a past recipient of the Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year award from the Arizona chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Richard has also been a highly active volunteer, serving on the Boards of Directors of Social Venture Partners International, Social Venture Partners Arizona, Giving Institute, and Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VII; on the Advisory Council for Arizona Community Foundation’s Kellenberger + Tollefson Center for LGBTQ Philanthropy and Tollefson + Kellenberger Forum for Social Justice; and is active in the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Richard sums up his career thus: “I do well by doing good, living my personal and professional dreams at the same time.”
Cheryl House, CFRE
Executive Vice President
Cheryl House finds the most rewarding aspect of her job as a consultant at The Phoenix Philanthropy Group is working with development officers, CEOs, and board members and “seeing their confidence in their fundraising abilities grow.”
Philanthropy “brings out the best in people,” says Cheryl, a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in journalism and past recipient of the Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year award from the Southern Arizona chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “It teaches us to work together to solve problems. It’s extremely gratifying to know that my efforts are making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Cheryl served as Senior Director of Development and then Interim Associate Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. She also served as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director for the Pima Community College Foundation. Prior to joining the Pima Community College Foundation, Cheryl was Director of Development for the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. She began her work in the nonprofit sector as Vice President for Development and then President of Junior Achievement of Southern Arizona.
She didn’t anticipate that her career would take her in this direction. “I accepted my first fundraising position for the networking opportunities,” she says. “This work is meaningful in many ways, but never so much as when a student who was ready to drop out of community college due to lack of funds earns a scholarship and crosses the graduation stage. It’s those personal connections with donors and program recipients that are especially motivating.”
On a volunteer basis, Cheryl is a member of the Board of Directors for the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona. She has served in various capacities for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), including as Chair of the District VII Board of Directors and a member of the CASE Commission on Philanthropy. She recently was named a CASE Laureate. As a long-time member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Planned Giving Round Table of Southern Arizona, Cheryl has held various leadership positions in both organizations.
In a divided world, she says, “philanthropy is one thing that brings people together in a positive way. Giving to help others makes you an active participant in making the world a better place.”
Linda Fine
Consultant
Linda Fine was motivated to build a career in the nonprofit development field by her first job, where she served as a donor records assistant at the New York Philharmonic. She returned to fundraising after graduate school and found her way to higher education fundraising. “That was incredibly gratifying,” she says, “and I loved working on a university campus with all the intellectual and cultural opportunities that came along.”
Linda’s career has taken her from Northwestern University, where she served as Associate Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences, to Director of Development and Alumni Relations at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. Linda later joined Thunderbird School of Global Management as the School’s first Director of Leadership Gifts. With a career focused mainly on individual giving, Linda gained exposure to corporate and foundation relations as a senior development professional at The Brookings Institution.
In her current position, as a nonprofit consultant specializing in fundraising, Linda helps organizations understand and optimize their fundraising potential through planning, external market research studies, campaign design and operational support.
“It’s rewarding to look back at organizations I’ve served over the years to see that projects I initiated – some more than 20 years ago – continue to thrive and benefit the institutions,” she says. Linda holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, a Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management at The George Washington University in 2015.
Linda has an extensive résumé of volunteer activities. She currently serves on the board of the Corcoran Trust, the legacy entity of the Corcoran Gallery of Art + College of Art, in her former hometown of Washington, D.C. She is also co-president of the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa, California, where she is past chair of the Civic Engagement Committee, serves on the Collections Committee and chaired the 2019 di Rosa Gala. In addition, she was selected to join Leadership Napa Valley’s 31st class, which she successfully completed in 2018.
Linda is now based in Tampa, Florida and London, UK.
Natalie Graff
Advancement Operations Consultant
With over 17 years of experience in advancement services, Natalie Graff is committed to helping nonprofits harness the power of their data. “My passion for data analysis and management, coupled with a positive attitude and a “learn-by-doing” approach, allows me to provide tailored solutions that optimize efficiency and effectiveness,” says Natalie.
As a seasoned professional, Natalie has a proven track record of successfully leading complex projects, including an enterprise database conversion, a database migration, and the establishment of a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Her ability to navigate challenges, build high-performing teams, and deliver results on time and within budget is a testament to her capabilities.
After nearly two decades of service at Cal Poly Pomona, Natalie decided to pursue new opportunities that would allow her to travel and explore the world. Her expertise in database management, reporting, data governance, and project management equips her to understand the unique needs of nonprofits and offer practical solutions. Inspired by the critical role nonprofits play in their communities, she is driven to empower them to make a greater impact. Her personal motto, “I’ll figure it out!” reflects her determination and problem-solving skills.
KRIS JACOBER
Consultant
Over the course of her career, Kris Jacober recognized that her passion and best work came in caring and advocating for vulnerable children and families. Most recently, Kris was executive director of the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, a statewide organization committed to enriching the lives of Arizona children in foster care by funding social, athletic, and educational activities that are not funded in any other way. Under Kris’ leadership over 11 years, the organization’s annual budget grew from $600,000 to $4.5 million and served more than 10,000 children each year. Kris also founded and served as president of the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents to support, empower, and educate the state’s foster and adoptive parents. Kris is most proud of her role as a foster mom and the care that she and her family provided for 17 children in foster care over 15 years.
Prior to joining the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation in 2011, Kris filled marketing, communications, and fundraising positions at Arizona’s Children Association and Aid to Adoption of Special Kids.
Another of Kris’ passions is writing; she enjoys the challenge of storytelling and communicating with a variety of audiences on a range of subjects. Over her nonprofit, corporate, and freelance public relations career, Kris has told the stories of families served by the Valley of the Sun United Way, the acquisition vision of the Circle K Corporation, the beauty of the Arizona Historical Museum, the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital, and the growth of commercial real estate and commercial architecture in Arizona, among others. Her role at The Phoenix Philanthropy Group will be to listen to our clients’ needs and create compelling stories that capture their vision and good work.
Kris is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XVII. The Children’s Action Alliance recognized Kris and her husband, Joe, as the 2013 Phoenix “Champions for Children.” She is also active in the “Recycle Your Bicycle” drive to collect and refurbish bikes for children in foster care.
Mark Kelleher
Consultant
As a student, Mark frequently volunteered with development office projects at his alma mater, Saint Anselm College. “I really admired how these professionals seemed critical to shaping an organization’s future – physically and programmatically.” This formative engagement with the power of philanthropy produced a life-long commitment to “helping realize solutions to address today’s education and health challenges, especially where they intersect with assisting marginalized communities.”
As a development professional, Mark’s endeavors positively impact organizations’ capacity to create and improve systems for leveraging their talent and to optimize mission-driven growth. As the associate vice president in charge of development for San Francisco State University, he helped design and manage a successful $150 million campaign, as well as leading the expansion of a comprehensive development operations unit. Prior to his time at SF State, Mark also served with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) for nearly a decade as a major gifts fundraiser and a corporate and foundation relations director where he contributed to the success of UCSF’s $1.6 billion campaign.
As a consultant, Mark believes in not reinventing the wheel. “I love sharing and adapting proven best practices with client colleagues to strengthen their organizations.” In this way, he pragmatically and effectively collaborates with universities, medical centers, and other nonprofit organizations. He specializes in fundraising on all levels; campaign strategy and management; corporate and foundation relations, including industry partnerships and grant writing; interim management; and launching and expanding new programs within organizations, such as planned giving, donor relations, and development communications. He also offers extensive experience in advancement services, including data and operations management; and prospect identification, qualification, and management.
Throughout his career, Mark has known the profound satisfaction of volunteering his time to assist many health and wellness, prevention, clinical, and youth-focused organizations with increasing support and related policy development, including Horizons Foundation, LYRIC LGBTQQ+ Youth Center, San Francisco Human Rights Commission (mayoral appointment), Academy of Friends, Magnet, Strut, and UCSF Tobacco Research and Education Center.
Jeri Kendle
Senior Consultant
Prior to devoting her life to nonprofit work, Jeri found success in the business world. She served as president of one of Arizona’s largest award-winning design firms, was an adjunct professor at ASU’s School of Design, and a for-profit management consultant. After witnessing one of her closest friends raise a child with autism, however, she realized her true calling was in the human service sector. “I witnessed how profoundly autism impacted their family and I wanted to do whatever I could to help.”
Jeri began volunteering her time and expertise to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). Jeri would eventually spend 5 years as SARRC’s president and initiated many sustainable SARRC-owned businesses and programs that improved the bottom line while increasing awareness for SARRC and autism. Jeri was instrumental in developing the SARRC teen program, CommunityWorks, which was ultimately licensed in five major cities across Canada. In addition, she launched SARRC’s Beneficial Beans coffee and cafés along with a sustainable garden program.
After leaving SARRC in 2016, Jeri realized that she wanted to utilize her diverse expertise and experience to help organizations optimize their social impact. “I love working with nonprofits that are doing important work but need assistance to strengthen their operations, become more sustainable, and enable them to deliver their services more effectively, to more people.” As a consultant with The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, Jeri now works to help nonprofits be clear in their mission, determine what’s holding them back from being more successful, and advance their donor appreciation and retention programs.
Jeri’s other volunteer affiliations have included the board of directors for Phoenix Theatre, SARRC, and Arizona’s Children Association. She received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Northern Arizona University.
Cassandra Larsen
Of Counsel
Cassandra Larsen has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of public policy, staff and board development and organizational structure both in the private and public sector. But her commitment is to public service and particularly, helping nonprofit organizations.
Her role with The Phoenix Philanthropy Group entails working with nonprofit organizations to enhance their organizational structure and create an environment to meet their organizational goals, which usually focus on helping those in need.
She says the most rewarding aspect of her work is helping organizations reach their “aha” moment. Working with nonprofits underscores for her “the importance of helping others and feeling good about what you can or have accomplished. Most of my career endeavors has been to solve problems and get things done in the most effective and efficient manner.”
She has had the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations statewide in the development of programs related to drug prevention, military affairs, domestic violence prevention, juvenile justice and volunteerism. She began her public sector career serving as the Executive Director of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools and subsequently was named Chief of Staff for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Most recently she served as Director of the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families and Policy Advisor for Human Services. She also has served as the Vice President for Organizational Development with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and adapted those skills to serve as the FOX 10 Community and Public Affairs Manager.
Cassandra’s past and present volunteer highlights include the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Family Service Agency, Amber Alert Committee, Governor’s Child Safety Task Force, Gompers, Phoenix Symphony Marketing Committee, Phoenix Arts Commission and Phoenix Theatre.
CHRIS LEBLANC
IN MEMORY OF
Chris LeBlanc was an expert at mining data and creating user-friendly reports to help our clients’ CEO’s, boards of directors, staff members, and others discover the who, what, when, where, and why of their organization’s work.
Over the course of his career, Chris gained expertise in a wide range of donor databases (including The Raiser’s Edge and Bloomerang), and designed, customized, and integrated program databases for a variety of organizations and educational institutions. His nonprofit experience included managing donor databases for Arizona’s Children Association, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids, Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents and the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF). While at Maricopa County Community Colleges District Foundation, Chris trained and supported foundation and college development officers in all aspects of The Raiser’s Edge and designed custom moves management and prospect forecast analytics. While at AFFCF, Chris created a custom program database that led to the organization’s distribution of over $3 million in federal funds. As a result, AFFCF received an unsolicited $1.3 million state grant to continue the program independently. At the same time, Chris was responsible for overseeing the AFFCF donor database, which grew 100% over four years.
Chris brought a unique eye for data analysis and data discrepancies, along with a love of automating tasks to his work. He was happiest when he was in front of an excel spreadsheet, transforming data from numbers to a visual product that can be deciphered and acted on at a glance. He enjoyed giving our clients greater insight into their work and freeing them from the more mundane tasks of their jobs.
Chris received professional level certification from Blackbaud for his knowledge of The Raiser’s Edge.
Devorah Lieberman
Senior Consultant
Dr. Devorah Lieberman, a nationally recognized executive, scholar, changemaker, and influencer in higher education, chose her path in higher education at institutions that focused on recruiting, supporting, and graduating underserved students who go on to become highly successful civic and professional leaders in their communities. Her administrative experience, her scholarship, and her board involvement have all been related to this mission.
Through her years in higher education senior administration, she brings extensive experience in crisis management; organizational oversight; strategic visioning; board governance; sound fiscal oversight; diversity, equity, and inclusion; fundraising; and personnel management. These intersecting skills and experiences were the foundation for creating “thriving communities” so that faculty, staff, and students experience the vital conditions that must exist for each to succeed and feel that “this is where they belong.”
Devorah was the first female president (serving 2011-2023) of the 133-year-old University of La Verne, a private not-for-profit university in Southern California. Under Devorah’s visionary leadership, the University of La Verne was designated as a Hispanic/Minority Serving Institution, the endowment quadrupled from $36 million to $151 million, nearly $175 million was raised, and over $30 million was secured in corporate, foundation, and government funding. These funds significantly increased student scholarships, named several Chair and Deans positions, launched four new centers, and built new and renovated older buildings.
Prior to assuming the presidency at University of La Verne, Devorah spent more than two decades at both Wagner College in New York City and Portland State University, serving as provost and VP for academic affairs, vice provost, and tenured full professor.
Devorah’s extensive nonprofit board leadership experience includes serving on the boards of Inland Empire Economic Partnership, International Association of University Presidents, Hague Institute for Global Justice, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (where she was named to the Hall of Champions), Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, the New American Colleges and Universities, Casa Colina Hospital and Rehabilitation, Adventist White Memorial Hospital, and La Plaza de Cultural Y Artes.
Devorah holds a PhD in Intercultural Communication from the University of Florida, an MA in Intercultural Communication from San Diego State University, a BA in Communication Studies from Humboldt State University, and an AA from Mt. San Antonio Community College. She has received honorary doctorates from Wagner College, I-Shou University (Taiwan), and the Western University of Health Sciences.
Since retiring from the presidency in August 2024, Devorah continues to focus on her mission of enhancing higher education. She is thrilled to do this as senior consultant to Phoenix Philanthropy, Senior Advisor to the President of the American Council on Education, Consultant to the International Association of University Presidents, and Executive Coaching.
Nancy Treser Osgood
Senior Consultant
For Nancy Treser Osgood, a nationally recognized advancement expert, higher education is a calling – “Both of my parents were college professors, so working in higher education is in my DNA.” A graduate of both Pomona College and the Claremont School of Theology, Nancy began her journey within the prestigious Claremont Colleges, where she forged strategic partnerships with faculty, staff, and students to develop alumni volunteer programs that support admissions, career development, academics, athletics, annual giving, and reunions.
Returning to her alma mater, Pomona College, Nancy led a transformational restructuring of the 60-member alumni council into a 20-member alumni board, which included representatives from the offices of admissions, career development, and annual giving. The nimble but highly diverse new body is reflective of her advancement philosophy, that “today’s most successful programs take a holistic approach, celebrating the full range of support that volunteers can offer.”
Nancy’s transformational impact also extends to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), where she was recently named a CASE Laureate for providing invaluable service to its mission of advancing education to transform lives and society. As a result of this service, Nancy was awarded the 2019 CASE District VII Tribute Award for the highest standards of professional achievement and outstanding mentorship. This award has since been renamed “The Nancy Treser Osgood CASE District VII Tribute Award.”
She has held numerous other elected and/or volunteer positions throughout her career, most notably in the Claremont Unified School District Board of Education, on the board of directors for the Claremont Educational Foundation, and in the Claremont After School Program. “My mentor told me that you needed to be a volunteer yourself before you could effectively manage volunteers, and I took that advice. It feeds my heart and soul to offer my time, talents, and treasures to nonprofit organizations.”
LORI A. REDFEARN
Senior Consultant
Lori Redfearn is passionate about building a culture of philanthropy. “Through philanthropy, we make a positive impact on society,” says Lori. “I see advancement professionals as agents of hope and opportunity.”
Globally recognized as an expert in higher education advancement, Lori has 40 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, with perspectives as an administrator, board member, fundraiser, and grantmaker. She strives to build ethical organizations with engaged board leadership and specializes in organizational assessment, policy development, and endowment management.
After 25 years of service, Lori retired as Associate Vice Chancellor, Systemwide Advancement at the California State University system and President of the CSU Foundation. She fondly referred to herself as “the help desk,” guiding colleagues through complex donor issues and building fundraising capacity. Lori provided strategic leadership for the 23 California State universities by encouraging systemwide best practices, performance benchmarking, accountability standards, and professional training.
Lori is a resource to advancement professionals across the globe through her volunteer leadership with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, serving on the CASE Commission on Philanthropy and CASE Global Management Reporting Standards Taskforce. She is frequently consulted for advice about campaign reporting and measuring return on investment. In 2023, Lori was named a CASE Laureate, and she is the 2024 recipient of the CASE District VII Nancy Treser Osgood Award, which recognizes members who have maintained the highest standards of professionalism in their advancement careers and shared their expertise with members of the profession.
JENNIFER SACHS DAHNERT
Consultant
Throughout her career, Jen Dahnert has been inspired by the unparalleled impact of philanthropy on communities and the generations of people within them. The generosity she has witnessed and facilitated through her professional and volunteer work has motivated her to now devote her expertise to organizations served by The Phoenix Philanthropy Group. As a member of the Phoenix Philanthropy team, Jen aims to help organizations fulfill their missions through focused strategic planning and resourceful implementation of those plans.
During her 40 years in development, Jen has held senior positions in higher education, primarily working with leadership donors. Most recently Jen was the Director of Development for Principal Gifts at Princeton University in the Venture Forward campaign. Prior to Princeton, Jen was at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York in various development roles, ultimately serving as Associate Vice President and Associate Campaign Director. Jen played a key role in planning and implementing two campaigns, both of which set new records for campaign fundraising at Vassar and raised the bar overall for campaigns at liberal arts colleges. Earlier in her career, Jen served in development positions at the Zoological Society of Philadelphia, the American Red Cross, and the University of Pennsylvania.
While at Vassar, Jen was one of a handful of development colleagues who established a conference known as MaGiC, which is now one of the largest independent major gifts conferences for liberal arts college development professionals. Jen was also part of core groups that established similar conferences for principal and international giving professionals.
Jen has always been an engaged citizen, volunteering in leadership roles for organizations including Vassar Temple, the Camp Runoia Alumnae Organization, the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, Poughkeepsie Day School, Camerata Chorale of the Hudson Valley, and the Lewis & Clark College Parents Fund. Jen attended Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, before earning her BA at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Peter Smits
Senior Consultant
Dr. Peter Smits is Vice President Emeritus at California State University, Fresno, where he was responsible for Fresno State’s programs in development and fundraising, university communications, endowment management, and alumni relations. Under Peter’s leadership, Fresno State surpassed the $200 million campaign goal of its first comprehensive campaign, reaching $214.2 million. Prior to Fresno State, Peter served as Vice President for Advancement at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Executive Assistant to the Chancellor at Louisiana State University in Shreveport; Vice President for College Relations and Development at the State University of New York at Brockport, and Dean of Students at The College of White Plains in New York. Peter is currently a Senior Fellow of CASE International, where his research interests include the ways in which campuses identify, measure, and grow their culture of philanthropy. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of California Health Sciences
University, an accredited medical school in Clovis, CA.
Kellie Teskey
Director of Client Services
Kellie Teskey provides high-level administrative support to the consultants and has back-office responsibilities such as support and quality control for internal and external documentation such as proposals, contracts, presentations and marketing materials like e-newsletters.
She is a former Executive Administrative Assistant in the City Manager’s Office for the City of Glendale, Arizona, during a time of great activity, including the construction of the (now) State Farm Stadium, Westgate, and Camelback Ranch, among other large projects. Prior to the City, Kellie was part of the Institutional Advancement team at Thunderbird School of Global Management, first as an Executive Administrative Assistant in the Institutional Advancement department, and then as a Prospect Management and Research Assistant.
Kellie says the most rewarding aspect of her work is “knowing that our actions ultimately help nonprofits assist more people in need, help schools educate more students, or make progress toward saving the environment.”
Amy MALONE
Executive Coordinator
Amy keeps our busy president and team organized and focused. Always seeking to streamline processes and maximize efficiency, Amy prides herself on anticipating needs when providing high-level administrative support and building and maintaining relationships with our clients and consultants.
Amy is a native of Arizona and received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati and her M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University. After graduate school, Amy worked for Mountainside Fitness as a Human Resource Coordinator and Executive Assistant for the President of the company. She is also a frequent volunteer for Hospice of the Valley’s New Song program.
Amy’s passion for our work comes from her belief that “in times when it seems that the bad outweighs the good, it is our role as humans to purposefully seek out and support the good.”
Ibone Moreno
Client Services Associate
An experienced bi-lingual administrative professional, Ibone Moreno provides Phoenix Philanthropy with financial and administrative support, including accounting, budgeting, and reporting. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her role as owner of MiCasa Consulting, where she served a wide range of small businesses in a variety of industries by providing the administrative and clerical services they need to grow and thrive. Prior to MiCasa, Ibone served as the Assistant to Regional Sales Manager – Western Region for Meeting Professionals International and was the Desegregation Programs Assistant at Agua Fria High School District.
Marc Kellenberger
Emeritus Founding Principal
Marc Kellenberger is a true believer in the power of nonprofits to transform communities and build a more just and equitable society. His work to make the world a better place started early, when he was 16 and chaired the Walk to End World Hunger in Elgin, Illinois, and as a teenager served as a Board member of the YMCA, the Elgin Committee on Recycling, and Elgin Community College. He has devoted his professional life to helping organizations in Arizona and California realize this potential, and in the process, has developed a well-earned reputation as one of the most respected names in fundraising. His career, which spans more than 35 years as a development professional, has seen him serve numerous educational institutions, art organizations, and human service agencies- leading capital campaigns, marketing and public relations functions, and transformational re-organizations. Most notably, Marc was the long-time senior vice president and chief development officer for Arizona’s Children Association and helped guide the organization to an unparalleled level of fundraising and programmatic success.
In 2004, in need of a new challenge, Marc, along with Richard Tollefson, founded The Phoenix Philanthropy Group. In the firm’s early days, Marc quickly established himself as a go-to expert on nonprofit mergers and acquisitions, recognizing that “leaders may be passionate about their mission and form an organization, however, the reality of day-to-day operations and fundraising may cause them to decide to connect with another like organization to be successful.”
Marc’s volunteer work has been equally as active. He helped to lead the first $1,000,000 AIDS Walk Arizona, and has supported a diverse set of organizations such as the Friends of the Phoenix Public Library, Arizona AIDS Project, the Arizona Community Foundation’s Kellenberger + Tollefson Center for LGBTQ Philanthropy and Tollefson + Kellenberger Forum for Social Justice, Central Arizona Shelter Services, the City of Phoenix Human Rights Commission, and the City of Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission. He is also the recipient of the Arizona Human Rights Fund statewide Human Rights Award.
In the years since the firm’s founding, Marc is gratified to see the tremendous growth Phoenix Philanthropy has experienced, and to see how many organizations have succeeded because of the advice and counsel he was able to provide them. “The most rewarding aspect of my career is knowing how many organizations have benefited from the expertise we have offered to them on their path to financial and organizational success.”