DJ (he/him/his) is a refugee from commercial banking who entered the nonprofit world over 25 years ago in administrative and operations positions, then being surprised by a field called “fund development” when staff attrition opened while working in operations at the nonprofit public-interest law agency Lawyers Alliance for New York. From there he held the administrator position at the National Kidney Foundation of NY/NJ where he launched an institutional giving program. He and his family relocated to the Hudson Valley thereafter where administrative positions in cable television news (WRNN) and RadioWoodstock.com satisfied his degree study (Organizational Communications). Having tasted the nonprofit world, though, he stayed busy as a volunteer board member with Scenic Hudson and the former Juvenile Diabetes Foundation - Hudson Valley. DJ returned to development positions and New York City with positions at The Apollo Theater Foundation, the Entertainment Community Fund f/k/a The Actors Fund, and Symphony Space with emphasis on institutional philanthropy, major gifts, and capital campaign design and execution (with consultant input). With all this accumulated wisdom and knowledge, DJ set up his own consultancy shop, with an arts & culture focus, serving a jazz legend’s music foundation, contemporary dance, chamber music, a composer’s collective, theater as well as visual and literary arts clients.
DJ is presently a Commissioner and Recording Secretary with the City of Kingston, NY Arts and Culture department, and is an Advisor with Arts Mid-Hudson’s Development Committee.
DJ has been a pianist since age 8, is a ‘supply’ organist for churches in his home region and, as a former caterer, creates dining experiences for family and friends. And, as an ASL interpreter, he served as an Adjunct Professor at Marymount Manhattan.
He and his husband of forty years are parents of one son and enjoy two incredible grandchildren.