Beyond the Buzzwords: Centering Equity in Fundraising Practices
Join us for this panel discussion to move beyond Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) as a checklist and into authentic action. Panelists will share strategies for hosting events honoring community integration, aligning development work with social justice, and advocating for meaningful shifts in leadership structures. Expect to leave with a renewed understanding of your role in creating a culture of care and equity.
LOCATION:
Scandinavia House
58 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
AGENDA:
8:30am - 9:00am: Check-in, Networking, Coffee + Continental Breakfast
9:00am - 10:00am: Panel Discussion
10:00am - 10:30am: Wrap-up, Networking, Coffee + Continental Breakfast
PRICING:
AFP-NYC Young Professional Member: $25
AFP-NYC Member: $50
Guest of AFP-NYC Member: $40
Non-member: $75
PANELISTS:
Ruth McFarlane
Deputy CEO
Ms. Foundation for Women
Ruth McFarlane is the Deputy CEO at Ms. Foundation for Women where she works with the Foundation’s executives and other leaders to guide strategic direction and advance the Foundation’s impact. Ruth oversees the finance, operations, communications, and development teams and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to her current role. Before working in the nonprofit sector, Ruth practiced law as an international tax and corporate transactions attorney. In 2023 and 2024, Ruth led the largest fundraising campaign in women's philanthropy, which raised over $100 million for Ms. Foundation’s current and future work. Previously, Ruth worked with LGBTQ advocacy and direct service organizations in the Bay Area including the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. Ruth earned her law degree at Cornell Law School and her MSW at UC Berkeley.
Jonah Nigh
Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer
The Juilliard School
Jonah joined The Juilliard School in 2024 as Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer. In this role, Jonah leads Juilliard's strategic fundraising, institutional advancement, alumni engagement, corporate, and foundation relations. He came to Juilliard from The New School where he served as Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. Other roles included senior positions at The Jewish Museum, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Columbia University, Opera America, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, among other institutions.
A frequent public speaker, he has served in a variety of roles for NBC, Peacock, CBS, WNYC, France TV, the National Endowment for the Arts, NYC Pride March, Tripadvisor, Asian Leadership Collective, The Janchi Show, Museum of the City of New York, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. On the topic of fundraising, he has partnered with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (current President Elect of the NYC Chapter), Council for Advancement and Support of Education, The Aspen Leadership Group, Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, podcasts (e.g. Evertrue, Development Debrief, and DonorScape), Con Edison Musicians’ Residency Program, Columbia Business School, Florida State University, Lawrence University, The Jewish Museum, The New School, The Juilliard School, among other organizations.
He began his career as a classical musician and has been involved in the production side of live events as a booking agent and concert coordinator. He earned his undergraduate degree in vocal performance at Lawrence University and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory. Performance credits include roles at the Aspen Music Festival, Boston Lyric Opera, Dorian Opera Theatre, Opera Boston, and on TV and film.
Ron Zacchi
Senior Director
NYS Division of Human Rights
Ron Zacchi (all pronouns welcome) joined the Division of Human Rights as Senior Director of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit in September 2024. Prior to this role, Ron Zacchi served as Governor Hochul's Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs, where they played a pivotal role in advancing transformative policies and securing increased funding for the LGBTQ+ community, addressing long-standing inequities caused by discrimination.
Before their tenure in the Governor's Office, Ron Zacchi was the Director of External Relations for the Division of Human Rights and began their career in state government as part of the Empire State Fellows program with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. They were later promoted to Assistant Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Throughout their time in public service, Ron Zacchi has been deeply involved in shaping key LGBTQ+ policy changes in New York State, including the ban on conversion therapy, protections for transgender individuals, legalizing gestational surrogacy, and the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Gender Recognition Act (GRA).
Ron Zacchi’s career in public service began with their leadership in the LGBTQ+ community, where they notably served as Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York (MENY). Under their leadership, MENY spearheaded a successful statewide grassroots campaign that ultimately secured equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in New York State.
Ron Zacchi holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University and an Executive MPA from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, where they were honored with the Hagedorn Scholarship.
MODERATOR:
Melissa McLeod
Director of Institutional Giving
Harlem Grown
Melissa McLeod is the Director of Institutional Giving at Harlem Grown. In her role, Melissa oversees the strategic vision and implementation of corporate and foundation giving. Prior to Harlem Grown, she was the Director of Resource Development at Black Veterans for Social Justice overseeing, planning, and organizing all fundraising endeavors to support the organization’s mission. Melissa holds a BS in Health Science from Stony Brook University and an MPH from the City University of New York School of Public Health. She is a Community Fellow Alum at the Institute for Nonprofit Practice where she earned a Certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change.