Navigating Change Through an Inclusive Lens in Fundraising
In this episode of Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE, nonprofit strategist, IDEA consultant, and AFP Global board member, to explore what it really means to lead change from any role. Jonathan shares how emerging leaders can prepare themselves for change, bring others along with them, and stay grounded when progress feels uncertain. In recognition of Pride Month, the conversation also dives into LGBTQ+ philanthropy and leadership, and what the fundraising sector still needs to do to create genuine belonging and inclusion for LGBTQ+ professionals and donors.
Guest:
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE (he/him/él) is a Nonprofit Educator and Accountability Architect who educates professionals on equitable strategies and systems to make change stick! He is Queer Latinx Millennial nonprofit strategist dedicated to addressing equity issues, building capacity, engaging the community, motivating impact leaders, and getting stuff done. He wears many professional hats, including Nonprofit Capacity Building & Community Engagement Strategist, Adjunct Social Work Professor, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Consultant, Leadership Development Trainer, Award-Winning Fundraiser/Resource Mobilizer, Social Sector Coach, Learning and Social Contexts Doctoral Candidate, and Social Justice Champion. He is the Founder & Chief Strategist of Equity Warrior Strategies, LLC, a consulting company that accomplishes social equity, leadership development, and capacity-building goals through coaching, learning, facilitation, and strategic planning. He intentionally partners with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and LGBTQ+ leaders, nonprofit professionals, and board members all over the country to fuel movements that work towards social justice, equity, and human rights.
With 15+ years of nonprofit professional experience, Jonathan has experience in fundraising, communications, volunteer management, program management, leadership development, board governance, community engagement, public affairs, inclusion, diversity, equity, and access work. As an award-winning fundraiser and resource mobilizer, he has raised over $14 million through major gifts, corporate relations, events, foundation philanthropy, government grants, and annual giving initiatives. He is an advanced community engagement and communications strategist with experience leading projects and teams implementing social media, digital communications, community outreach, advocacy, donor stewardship, recruitment, public relations, and marketing campaigns for various nonprofit organizations. He has extensive experience managing leadership development programs and advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives. He is a global trainer and has provided training for hundreds of nonprofit leaders online, at in-person conferences, and through customized workshops.
Jonathan is proud to be an AFP Global Board member, and began his service as the youngest board member and only board member to be in the Young Professionals Membership Category. He chaired the Emerging Leaders Committee, served on the Governance Ecosystem Task Force, and served twice on the Membership Dues Task Force. As the only Certified Diversity Professional on the board, he is often sought out for strategy on how to advance IDEA for AFP. In 2024, he launched a board belonging initiative with the board chair to improve our culture of belonging on the board, tackle oppressive characteristics, and create more equitable governance systems. He formerly served on AFP Global’s Governance and IDEA Committees. He has been an active volunteer with the AFP since 2012, when he started as a Communications Intern for the AFP, NY Genesee Valley Chapter. He moved to Albany and became involved with the AFP, NY Hudson-Mohawk Chapter. He served in many leadership roles across programming, communications, and membership, including Chapter President & IDEA Chair from 2019-2020. After moving back to Rochester in 2021, he reengaged with the Genesee Valley Chapter and is now serving on the chapter's board and helping bring together all Upstate New York AFP Chapters for community and collaboration. He has helped launch 6 Identity-Based Affinity Groups and has maintained partnerships with organizations that support Fundraisers of Color. He has also been a member of the AFP New York City Chapter, the AFP Minnesota Chapter, and the AFP Massachusetts Chapter. In 2018, Jonathan was honored by his local chapter with the Outstanding Young Professional Fundraiser award. The following year, he was named one of AFP Global's Outstanding Young Professionals at AFP ICON in San Antonio.
Jonathan embraces a growth mindset and has completed advanced education. He earned his Master of Social Work degree with a MACRO Concentration and his Master of Public Administration degree with concentrations in nonprofit management at the University at Albany, SUNY. He earned his bachelor’s degree in religion, Linguistics, and Gender Studies from the University of Rochester. He holds two professional certifications: Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential and Certified Diversity Professional (CDP). He currently is pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Learning and Social Contexts at the University at Buffalo, SUNY.
He currently resides in Rochester, NY with his husband, dog, and two cats (all tuxedo animals). He loves spending quality time with his friends and family, traveling and taking adventures, volunteering, cooking, and listening to music and audiobooks.
Hosts:
Jarrod Williams, MBLI, CFRE, is a courageous, strategic, and results-oriented fundraising leader with over a decade of experience driving revenue growth, donor engagement, and organizational visibility. He is committed to building cultures of philanthropy within mission-driven organizations and brings a proven track record across major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, event strategy, and data-informed decision-making within both arts and social justice and organizations.
He serves as a Client Experience Leader for Veritus Group, where he educates and coaches fundraisers across the country on innovative mid-level and major gift strategies. In this role, he partners with organizations nationwide to strengthen donor pipelines, elevate fundraising performance, and build sustainable revenue models.
Jarrod has been recognized for his leadership and influence and remains actively engaged in advancing the fundraising profession. He serves on the AFP Global Emerging Leaders Committee and the AFP LEAD Education Committee, supporting the development of the next generation of fundraising professionals. In 2020, he was named a Top 30 Under 30 Young Professional by 101.1 The Wiz in Cincinnati. He is also a graduate of the Urban Leaders Institute through the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, where he earned the Best-in-Class Award for Best Connector—recognizing his ability to build meaningful relationships and mobilize others around a shared vision. He is a proud Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a graduate of the AFP Global Faculty Training Academy.
Jarrod holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Wright State University and a master’s degree in Business Leadership and Innovation from Northern Kentucky University.
Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CFRE, ACNP, GPC, CAP, Founder & CEO, AQP Consulting & Executive Director, ENP: Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier has fourteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has collectively raised approximately $5 million for over 75 organizations. She serves as Executive Director of ENP and runs her own nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting, where she helps grassroots nonprofits with fundraising strategy, strategic planning, board development, and grant writing.
Allison is a vocal advocate for gender parity, closing the wage gap, and ending the motherhood penalty. With accolades such as AFP’s Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional, NBJ’s 40 Under 40, NBJ’s Women of Influence, a National Latino Leader, and the Women Who Rock Nashville Social Justice Award, Dr. Quintanilla Plattsmier strives to serve and better her community every day. A dedicated AFP member for the last seven years, Allison currently chairs the Women's Impact Initiative (WII) Mentorship Program and serves on the LEAD Education Advisory Committee. When she is not out serving her community, she is spending time with her three kids, Quintan, Karina, and Kamren.
