Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas (He/Him) is a Queer Latinx Millennial nonprofit strategist dedicated to addressing equity issues, building capacity, engaging the community, motivating new impact leaders, and getting stuff done. Jonathan wears many professional hats including Director of Agency Advancement at Villa of Hope, Leadership Development and Equity Trainer, Social Sector Career Coach, and Community Leader & Advocate. He is the Owner/Chief Equity Warrior, Consultant & Coach of Jonathan’s Awesome Nonprofit Solutions, a freelance consulting company that provides career development, training, leadership development, and JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) services. A fundraiser for over ten years, Jonathan has raised over $5 million through major gifts, corporate relations, special events, foundation and government grants, and annual giving initiatives. He has extensive experience managing leadership development programs and advancing diversity, inclusion, justice, and equity initiatives. Jonathan also has expertise in community engagement and communications including managing and enhancing social media, digital communications, newsletters, public relations, and marketing campaigns for various nonprofit organizations. Lastly, he has been a career counselor for many years helping individuals interested in public service and nonprofit work with resumes, interviews, job search strategies, mentorship, and networking.
Jonathan is proud to be an AFP Global Board member and serves on the Emerging Leaders Committee, Governance Committee, and Membership Dues Task Force. He has been an active volunteer with the AFP since 2012, where 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 where he served many roles in leadership, 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 IDEA Committee. In 2019, Jonathan was named one of AFP Global's Outstanding Young Professionals at AFP ICON in San Antonio.
Jonathan earned his Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration degrees at the University at Albany, SUNY, and his bachelor’s degree in Religion, Linguistics, and Gender Studies from the University of Rochester. In November 2021, Jonathan obtained his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. He currently resides in Rochester, NY with his husband and three adorable pets.