James Williams, Co-Founder
James Williams is a seasoned leader whose experience bridges the nonprofit, civic, and educational sectors. With a strong foundation in fundraising, organizational development, and leadership coaching, his career reflects a deep commitment to community impact and institutional growth.He served as Assistant Director of Major Gifts at Saint Joseph’s University, where he helped drive major donor engagement and capital support. As Director of Advancement at Bishop McDevitt High School, he led fundraising efforts, alumni relations, and strategic campaigns. He also served as Development Director at the Autism Cares Foundation, where he helped expand the organization’s donor base and increase mission-driven giving. Most recently, James served as Development Director at Martin Saints Classical High School, where he worked to strengthen annual giving, donor engagement, and institutional advancement.In the political arena, James has worked as a campaign manager and fundraiser for high-profile Philadelphia elections and served as a City Council staffer, where he spearheaded the Youth Non-Profit Symposium to connect young leaders with community resources.His commitment to advocacy and education is evident in his service as Union President at Cheyney University and as a board member for private schools, clubs, and civic associations. He has also coached collegiate track and field at West Chester, Cabrini, Gwynedd Mercy, and Cheyney Universities, mentoring student-athletes on and off the field.Today, James continues to impact the nonprofit sector as a leadership coach, training nonprofit executives and boards to build stronger, more resilient organizations.
Mike Jackson, Co-Founder
Mike Jackson is a seasoned Development Manager with nearly 20 years of experience driving strategic growth across the nonprofit, higher education, athletics, and private business sectors. A proven relationship-builder and dynamic change agent, Mike brings a unique blend of business development expertise, branding savvy, and team leadership to every role he undertakes.
Currently a Business Development Manager with Experis, Mike delivers customized talent solutions to clients across the Mid-Atlantic, leveraging his extensive recruiting background and market insight to drive performance. Prior to that, he led sales and marketing initiatives at PuroClean Emergency Restoration, where his consultative approach helped generate over $500,000 in first-year revenue and accounted for 25% of the company’s total business. His ability to modernize branding, streamline operations, and foster strategic partnerships proved vital in expanding market share.
Mike’s leadership roots run deep in collegiate athletics, having served as Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field at Towson University, where he transformed a last-place program into a championship-winning team in just two years. Earlier, as Director of Track & Field at Ramapo College, Mike guided his teams to national success, earning him Hall of Fame induction in 2024, multiple Coach of the Year honors, and recognition as a trusted mentor and motivator to hundreds of student-athletes.
A thoughtful and innovative problem solver, Mike thrives in high-pressure environments and is known for his ability to lead with integrity, inspire high-performing teams, and achieve organizational goals. Whether revitalizing a sports program, launching a new branding strategy, or building a winning sales pipeline, Mike brings a collaborative, accountable, and results-driven approach to leadership.
Core Competencies:
Strategic Planning & Process Improvement
Business Development & Full-Cycle Recruiting
Talent Acquisition & Coaching
Branding, Marketing, and Public Speaking
Team Building, Leadership, and Mentorship
Cross-Industry Experience (Higher Ed, Corporate, Emergency Services)
Mike holds deep respect within both corporate and collegiate communities, admired for his vision, his passion for people, and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
raiseupfundraising.org 