Our Staff
John Brown
President and Founder
John founded John Brown Limited in 1978 on the philosophy that development professionals are most effective when their strategies include respect for donors' interests; relationship building; rehearsed, but comfortable solicitation; and planned giving integrated into all major gift endeavors. The hallmark of John's counsel is to motivate organizational leaders in building ownership among their constituents, and consistently achieving a greater level of success in fundraising.
Under John's leadership, JBL has served thousands of clients. By fostering donor ownership and respect, his clients run capital and endowment campaigns, effective major/planned gift programs and, most importantly, long-term financial and membership growth.
Prior to opening his own firm, John served in several major gifts and planned giving positions at Syracuse University. He later created and directed the planned giving program at Harvard University, and was a founding member of the Planned Giving Group of New England. John volunteers his time lecturing at professional nonprofit conferences each year, including CASE and AFP.
Douglas Smith
Senior Consultant
Doug's development expertise includes feasibility studies, staff and leadership training, the planning and implementation of capital and endowment campaigns, annual fundraising efforts, development resource evaluations, and the facilitation of long-range planning with Board members, Presidents, Executive Directors, and Development staff. Having been with John Brown Limited for over 20 years, Doug has counseled hundreds of non-profit organizations on how to reach their development goals and expectations.
Prior to joining the JBL team, he served as the President of a University Foundation, Vice President for Development and Finance with a telecommunications firm, Vice President for Development at a major symphony orchestra, and Campaign Director for a health and human services organization. Doug received his MBA from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA with an emphasis in finance.
Cortlandt B. Fengler
Senior Consultant
Corty's strengths are in board governance, major gift planning, management assessments, and strategic planning. Her association with JBL began in 1986, and in that time she has conducted and facilitated many Board retreats and workshops for trustees, development professionals and volunteers. Her recent work with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation has resulted in a study of youth orchestras in California.
Corty's previous fundraising positions include Principal Development Officer for the Westover School, Wellesley College ($150 million campaign), the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine ($1 billion campaign), the San Francisco Symphony and Grace Cathedral. She has conducted capital campaigns, led strategic planning efforts and assisted institutions with organizational effectiveness, analysis and change.
As a private consultant, Corty's past clients include the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, San Domenico School, Institute of Noetic Sciences and many arts organizations in the West. She served on the Board of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras for 9 years and has been a member of the Alumnae Board of Wellesley College. She currently serves on the board of Chorus America, a national organization. Corty received her M.A. from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, and her B.A. from Wellesley College, in Massachusetts.
Ryan McDonald
Senior Consultant
Ryan has been with JBL since 1989 in both full-time and part-time consulting roles. He has worked extensively on board development, solicitation, audit/feasibility studies and has also served in a staff leadership role for development offices on an interim basis. Ryan's clients have included the University of Michigan, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Martha Lloyd Community Services and the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Ryan has spent much of his career in higher education. His most recent position was at Boston University, serving a dual role as the Director of Major Gifts and the Interim Director of Planned Giving. His work in the planning and execution of campaigns, management and mentoring of employees, along with the majority of his time as a principal solicitor had him facing many of the same challenges our clients face. A presenter at John Brown Limited seminars, Ryan has been in development for nearly 20 years. He has also held positions as a Major Gifts/Planned Giving Officer for Stanford University in Palo Alto, California and Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Ryan received his B.A. in political science from the University of Vermont.
Shawna Hershfield
Senior Consultant, Communications
Since 1999, Shawna has been JBL’s communications strategist producing JBL’s online newsletter, client reports and printed news briefs. Shawna specializes in regional organizations with limited fundraising staff and provides communications support for all JBL clients, from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to EastWest Institute to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Foundation.
Carla S. Willis
Senior Consultant
Carla S. Willis, CFRE is a Senior Consultant with JBL. Prior to joining the JBL team, Carla served in number of development leadership positions in a variety of higher education settings, and was a Regional Director at the University of Michigan for the College of Law during the U of M’s $2.5 billion campaign. As a consultant, she assists clients with feasibility studies, development audits, pre-campaign planning and preparation, development of ask strategies, and solicitation of donors. Carla is an active member of CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) and currently serves as a Board Member for CASE District V. Carla is also an active member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP) and has held many offices in the Toledo, Ohio Chapter of the organization, including President in 2002.
Rolly Wester
Senior Consultant
Rolly has more than 25 years of experience as a professional fund-raising consultant, assisting a variety of non-profit institutions throughout the country in all aspects of development and public relations. He has served as a campaign director or consultant with three national fund-raising firms. He has also run his own agency/firm, and has been associated with JBL since the early 80's. Although his extensive experience has focused on capital campaigns, Rolly is versed in all areas of development, and has a strong background in writing and publications.
Rolly’s clients have included cultural organizations, independent secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and health-related organizations, and social service agencies. He began his career in the Public Relations Department of Texaco (New York City) and left to join the New-York based fund-raising firm of Kersting, Brown & Co. When he left to form his own consulting firm in the Boston area, he was a Senior Vice President and Director.
He received a BA degree in Journalism from the University of Texas.
Jennifer McDonald
Vice President
Jennifer is the acting liaison between John Brown and JBL senior consultants. She also oversees all financial aspects of the firm in conjunction with the financial coordinator. Jennifer has worked for John Brown Limited since its inception in 1978. She has worked for several non-profit organizations, including the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a variety of private schools, with a focus on the preschool level. She describes her work at JBL and the many fascinating organizations it serves as "a wonderful and very rewarding experience." Jennifer graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS in Small Business and Early Childhood Education.
Nancy Zanga
Office Manager/Client Relations and Assistant to John Brown
Nancy's responsibilities include coordinating John's demanding schedule, prioritizing the office work flow, staff supervision and attending to JBL's extensive portfolio of client relationships. Nancy has worked for John Brown Limited since 1996. Before becoming John's full-time assistant and office manager, she worked as a JBL seminar coordinator, assistant to consultants, and media coordinator – giving her the full spectrum of JBL and all of its components. Nancy’s volunteerism spans 8 years on the Board of her daughter's school and is involved with the local Recreation Committee. She received her Associates Degree from Hesser College in New Hampshire.
Cresca Albright
Seminar Coordinator/Assistant to Doug Smith
Cresca manages a wide variety of logistics and details for the John Brown Limited seminars. In addition to handling all aspects of the seminars, Cresca provides support to one of our senior consultants. Her past professional experience includes project management in commercial construction. Cresca is an avid equestrian and serves on the Board of the Granite State Carriage Association, as well as dedicating time to Live and Let Live Equine Rescue.
Donna Menard
Financial Coordinator
Donna joined the JBL staff in early 2001. Her prior work experience, outside the private sector, includes having worked with both public and private educational institutions. In addition to her position at JBL, Donna works part-time for a local not-for-profit organization that provides employment and residential services to adults with developmental disabilities. Donna has volunteered with various youth organizations, served as a trustee in her community, and continues to contribute to various local organizations. Donna attended Keene State College in Keene, NH.
If you would like more information or have questions about John Brown Limited, please contact us.
