AFP Global Announces New Board Members for 2026

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Global is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its board of directors for 2026: Mary A. Paxton, MNA, CFRE, Muneeb Syed, CFRE, and Luis Francisco Pacheco Cámara. These leaders bring extensive expertise in fundraising, nonprofit strategy, and community centered philanthropy that will help advance AFP’s mission to strengthen and support fundraisers around the world. 

“AFP’s mission is strengthened by leaders who bring passion, experience, and a deep commitment to ethical, inclusive fundraising practice,” said Roger Ali, MBA, C.Dir., CFRE, chair of the AFP Global Board of Directors. “Mary, Muneeb, and Luis each embody these values and contribute unique expertise from across our global community. Together, we will continue advancing our mission and strategic priorities to strengthen and support the global fundraising community.”

Mary A. Paxton, MNA, CFRE will serve as the chapter presidents’ council representative for 2026. With more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Paxton currently serves as vice president of development at JumpStart Inc., where she leads efforts to secure critical funding and expand strategic partnerships. Her background includes leadership roles at the ACLU of Ohio and across a wide range of social impact organizations, including ecumenical institutions, youth programs, homelessness services, workforce development, and basic needs support. She holds a master’s in nonprofit administration from John Carroll University, where she also teaches as an adjunct professor, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Allegheny College. Paxton also serves as president of the AFP Greater Cleveland Chapter and sits on the boards of the ACLU of Ohio and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland.

Muneeb Syed, CFRE, will join the board as an ex officio director in his role as co chair of the Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada. Syed has served on the Foundation for Philanthropy–Canada board since 2021 and brings more than 17 years of frontline fundraising and strategic leadership experience from UNICEF Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University, and York University. He currently leads advancement at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, where he recently helped secure a $1.88 million gift — the second largest donation to a Canadian university for an upskilling program. Syed is an alumnus of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy–Canada Inclusion and Philanthropy Fellowship and earned his CFRE credential in 2015.

Luis Francisco Pacheco Cámara joins the board as the AFP Mexico Foundation representative. A seasoned educational consultant and leader, Pacheco Cámara brings more than 25 years of experience strengthening nonprofit organizations, community based programs, and intercultural educational initiatives across Latin America. He has led successful fundraising and institutional development efforts for foundations, universities, and civil society organizations, with expertise in major gift cultivation, donor stewardship systems, grant proposals, and cross border philanthropic partnerships. His past leadership roles include strategic development at Fundación Careyes, The Lake Chapala Society A.C., and the Intercultural Ayuuk Institute. With a background in ethics, philosophy, and social innovation, he is a trusted advisor to nonprofit boards and executive teams, helping guide strategic planning, organizational redesign, and impact evaluation. He serves on the AFP Mexico Foundation Board, founded the AFP Occidente Pacífico Chapter, is a past president of the chapter, and currently serves as its IDEA chair.

The new board members began their terms on January 1, 2026.

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Since 1960, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. The association works to advance effective and ethical philanthropy by providing advocacy, research, education, mentoring, collaboration and technology opportunities for the world’s largest network of professional fundraisers. AFP’s more than 24,000 members in 180+ professional chapters raise over $100 billion annually for a wide variety of charitable organizations and causes across the globe. For more information, go to afpglobal.org.
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