Professional Bio

Executive Director of Advancement at Ridley College, a Canadian Independent School, and former Director of Development at Proctor Academy.Jay is known for building advancement models that are innovative, dynamic, fun and focused. His strategic and creative approaches have attracted international attention from all non-profit segments in the areas of the ask, communication models and customized stewardship. He is the architect of the Family of Funds annual fund concept that allows donors a choice for their philanthropy and one that has been embraced by many independent schools. He has cut new paths with stewardship and communication strategies—strategies that have been studied by hundreds of non-profits including organizations such as Dartmouth and MIT. Jay has designed a nationally recognized Ask Training Program. This program has been used to train professionals from the American Red Cross, Harvard Business School, Williams College, St George's School. Poly Prep, Watkins School, Sonoma Country Day and Purdue University. Jay is a co-founder of the WOW Institute, a unique and innovative conference for development professionals. With laser beam attention to the donor experience, Jay’s techniques have redefined the roles and the look of a development office.His design of focus, human touch, and technological capacity has had a dramatic impact on the field of advancement. 


Jay is currently a guest blogger for Workingphilanthropy & Edsocialmedia. He is the first development professional to publish a multimedia e-book on the Art of The Telephone Solicitation.Jay has the distinction of being one of two people to have received CASE’s Crystal Apple Award for teaching excellence in less than 8 years in the development profession. He serves on the CASE Web Advisory Committee. Jay currently serves as the Chair for the CASE Summer Institute For Independent School Advancement.