Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas (he/him/él) is a 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 Fundraising and Communications Strategist, Adjunct Social Work Professor, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Consultant, Leadership Development Trainer, Social Sector Career Coach, and Social Justice Champion. Jonathan is a member of the Cause Effective team, a New York City based nonprofit that partners with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color leaders, nonprofit professionals, and board members to fuel movements that work towards social justice, equity, and human rights. He is also the Founder & Chief Strategist of Equity Warrior Strategies, LLC, a consulting company that accomplish social equity, leadership development, and capacity building goals through coaching, learning, facilitation, and strategic planning.
With 12+ 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 serves on the Emerging Leaders Committee, Governance Ecosystem Task Force, and Membership Dues Task Force. He formerly served on AFP Global’s Governance and IDEA Committees. 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 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 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.