About Tom

Delivering innovative, quantifiable impact.

I’ve been helping nonprofits create impact plans, build data-based impact measurement systems, build capacity and operational structures, improve fundraising, and create differentiated brand and marketing that make a measurable difference.

Over my 30 year career I have evolved from doing those things as a senior leader within for-profit companies – organizations built to make, measure and market the impact their products and services deliver in the marketplace. I have also done it as an entrepreneur and CEO responsible for managing everything an organization requires to succeed. And For the past 15 years I have done it primarily for nonprofits and social enterprises as an Executive Director, Director of Development, Director of Programs and as a consultant. I blend the best of the for-profit approach to delivering maximum quantifiable impact with a deep understanding of how nonprofits function – and how they need to evolve to succeed in today’s world.

“With the common goal of creating value in mind, businesses have wisdom from which nonprofits can make a greater impact and perform at their most effective. When nonprofits “profit” by running their organizations effectively, the profit, ultimately, is the social impact. But in order to achieve the greatest impact, nonprofits must invest in their companies – just like a business would.” – The Modern Nonprofit

I am a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and I abide by the AFP’s Code of Ethical Standards in all fundraising and marketing activities for nonprofit clients. I am also a member of the Association of Nonprofit Specialists and abide by their Code of Ethics as well.

Some career highlights include: 

• Raised more than $200 million developing annual and recurring fundraising campaigns, events, sponsorships, and co-branded licensing agreements for more than 15 nonprofits from major global organizations to smaller local and regional NPOs.
• Through identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship have directly raised more than $30M in individual and corporate funds for nonprofits and more than $10M for investment in for-profit start-ups.
• Current board member and member of fundraising committee for the Glancy Wine Education Foundation. Past board member for five different nonprofits.
• Co-Founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit that designed and implemented sustainable food garden programs and management training in a small Zulu village. We reached our five-year fundraising goal within two years and our five-year program goal of having all gardens and programs completely locally managed by a woman-led tribal committee within four years.
• Director of Programs and Development at the ARF Charitable Foundation where we increased grants by 50%, volunteers by 36%, constituent participation by 140% and raised enough funds to expand programs and scholarships offered while adding to the Foundation’s reserve account, while increasing diversity within the advertising, marketing and media industries.
• Founder and CEO of two sustainably run, social enterprise for-profit companies, one based on the international importation of FairTrade, Organic and indigenous-owned wines, the other a 1% for the Planet company.
• Founder and manager of one of the first digital marketing agencies in America; builder one of the first data analytics departments.
• Co-author the IAB and ARF’s “Online Playbook,” defining modern data attribution models. Designer of more than 25 dashboards tracking and reporting on performance of programs, operations, fundraising and marketing.
• Developer of the first integrated Business Strategy and Brand Planning department at global digital agency, Razorfish. 
• Digital agency lead for Kraft’s “Organizing for Growth” transformation of integrated marketing and planning process. 
• A marketing executive leader for one of the most successful new Fortune 50 brand launches at ING.
• Creator of more than 250 high-impact business plans, strategic plans and campaigns for dozens of for-profit, nonprofit, and sustainably run companies.
• Awarded two EFFIEs for marketing effectiveness, as well as awards honoring creative excellence in campaigns including Telly, Webby, Shorty, London International, ONE Show and several others.
• Member of DEI Allyship Council.
• Leader in Conscious Capitalism.
• Mentor and guest lecturer, Emory University, Goizueta MBA Sustainable Enterprise Program.
• Teacher of Creative Strategy at commercial art design school, Creative Circus.

Brands

Nonprofit brands: ARF Charitable Foundation, Community Servings, Project Open Hand, Cool Girls, Isipho, CARE, Last Prisoner Project, Trees Atlanta, Save The Bay, Riverkeepers, Habitat for Humanity, Dining Out For Life, Hudson River Community Sailing, Full Radius Dance, debra.org and others.

Social and sustainable brands: Benziger Family Winery, Worthwhile Wine, Westwood Organic Estate, Muratie Estate, Ecologica Winery, and more than a dozen other imported and domestic wine brands.

For-profit brands: Mentos, Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, Airheads, Burt’s Bees, Sharpie, CareerBuilder, AutoTrader.com, JCPenny.com, Delta, Southwest, Carnival, Turks & Caicos Tourism, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, ING, Bank of America, Ameriprise, First Horizon Bank, ATT, Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, Red Hat, and dozens of winery DTC brands.

What others say about Tom:

“First and foremost is his character; Tom is someone that always looks to do the right thing. He’s very conscientious about social and environmental issues and ensuring that his own actions promote his beliefs. He manages himself and his business with integrity. He has a tremendous work ethic and is always striving for excellence.” — John Ormiston, Co-Founder, 2020 Beverage Co.

“A true marketing guru! Highly recommend any nonprofits who need assistance with marketing strategy reach out for Tom.” — Sarah Gersten, Executive Director, Last Prisoner Project

“Tom is one of the paragons of Bill Bernbach’s hiring philosophy – “find talented people who are nice.” — Matt Freeman, Managing Director, Bain Capital

“Tom is one of the best creative and strategic business thinkers with whom I have worked.” — David Botsford, The Botsford Group

“A wellspring for no-nonsense advice and professional direction.” — Andreas Forsland, CEO, Cognixion

“I have had the pleasure to watch Tom go from the financial industry, to beauty, to CPG, to nonprofit — and be the expert in the room every time. If you need a seasoned executive to take on any problem or create new opportunities, I highly recommend reaching out to Tom.” — Teresa Caro, CEO, Luminist

“Tom is in the know. He’s thoughtful in his approach and current with his connections to uncover what’s happening right now, in this moment, and how it impacts a brand’s business and consumers’ behaviors.” — Jessica Bergstresser, Group Creative Director, Digitas

“He is a creative soul with a great determination for accomplishment and to make business happen.” — Steve Baskin, Chief Strategy Officer, Tribe

“Tom has the rare ability to see the big picture and lead strategy development as well as know that the strategy lives via execution. Smart and a pleasure to work with.” — Pam Peligian, SVP Marketing & Communications, Navy Federal Credit Union

“He is among the best I’ve ever known at brand concepting, brand architecture, audience segmentation, messaging, and developing the campaigns that bring those brands to life. He is particularly adept in all forms of digital marketing, analytics and eCommerce. Tom is strategically sound, with inspired creativity and a dedication to insight-driven audience definition, messaging and campaigns.” — John Ormiston, Partner 2020 Beverage Co

“Tom is a new media strategy all-star – he has been in the middle of every advance in new media from the beginning and continues to find ways to innovate. He always impresses me with his practical mix of creative and strategic thinking.” — Derek van Nostrum, CMO, VSiN

“Tom is a real pro with significant high level experience. If you’re looking to get going or get to the next level you should work with Tom.” — Jeff Sutton, Business Transformation Account Director, Lion Food and Beverage (Australia)