Jay Howard has joined as Senior Advisor, bringing nearly four decades of experience in board and volunteer engagement, fundraising and strategic planning.
FRANKLIN, TN, UNITED STATES, December 3, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Lighthouse Counsel announced today that Jay Howard has joined the firm as Senior Advisor, bringing nearly four decades of experience in board and volunteer engagement, fundraising and strategic planning.
Howard brings a proven track record of
advancing the work of mission-driven organizations through strong campaign leadership, relationship-building and thoughtful strategy. At Lighthouse Counsel, his vast experience will support clients in building sustainable philanthropic momentum over the long term.“Jay’s depth of experience in independent schools and nonprofit advancement, combined with his servant-hearted approach to leadership, is an ideal fit for Lighthouse Counsel,” said Jeff Jowdy, president of Lighthouse Counsel. “He understands what it takes to build trust, inspire generosity and strengthen institutions for the long term. We are honored to welcome him to the team.”
Most recently, Howard served as a volunteer consultant for DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee. Prior to that, he was head of advancement for Sage Ridge School in Reno, Nevada, where he built infrastructure for the quiet phase of a capital campaign and exceeded the school’s annual fund goals in his first year.
Earlier in his career, he held director of development positions at numerous independent schools, including St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School in Tennessee; the Webb School of Knoxville; the Meadows School in Las Vegas, Nevada; and Flint Hill School in Oakton, Virginia. In these roles, he secured millions of dollars in total gifts while leading capital campaigns, managing annual funds and increasing planned giving expectancies.
Howard also served as vice president for development at both The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson, and Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee. His experience additionally includes roles as senior consultant for the Winkler Group and Independent School Counsel, capital campaign coordinator for the New Orleans Museum of Art and development associate for the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans.
Throughout his career, he has generously given his time and expertise to various professional boards and committees, including the CASE Independent School Education Fund-Raising Awards Committee, the CASE/NAIS National Conference Planning Committee, the Development & Marketing Committee for the American Association of Museums and the Great Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he served as president.
Howard is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. His lifelong commitment to altruism and service is reflected in a favorite quote from Anne Frank: “No one has ever become poor by giving.”
“Lighthouse Counsel partners with organizations that are deeply invested in people and purpose,” Howard said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience alongside organizations that are doing meaningful work.”
About Lighthouse Counsel
Founded in 1999, Lighthouse Counsel partners with mission-driven institutions nationwide. A member of The Giving Institute, the firm helps organizations elevate mission awareness, strengthen organizational effectiveness and grow philanthropic support by providing counsel in fundraising, strategic planning, board development and leadership development. Chart Your Journey. Reach Your Destination. Learn more at lighthousecounsel.com.
Phil Mazzara has joined the firm as Of Counsel, bringing 45 years of senior leadership experience in healthcare, higher education and nonprofit advancement.
FRANKLIN, TN, UNITED STATES, December 3, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Lighthouse Counsel announced today that Phil Mazzara has joined the firm as Of Counsel, bringing 45 years of senior leadership experience in healthcare, higher education and nonprofit advancement.
Over the course of his career, Mazzara has served as president of three hospital foundations and as chief development officer for two academic medical centers, a technology university and a liberal arts college. He has managed advancement programs and led capital campaigns ranging from $4 million to $400 million, contributing to a collective fundraising impact of more than $750 million. He brings this depth of experience in philanthropy, leadership and strategy to his advisory work at Lighthouse Counsel.
“Phil’s career reflects extraordinary commitment, expertise and impact across some of the most complex and mission-driven organizations in the country,” said Jeff Jowdy, president of Lighthouse Counsel. “His experience in healthcare, higher education and nonprofit leadership strengthens our ability to serve clients navigating large-scale growth and transformation.”
Before serving on the board of directors and becoming president emeritus of The Doughboy Foundation, Mazzara acted as the organization’s chief development officer and later as its president and chief executive officer, helping lead the $50 million campaign to build the U.S. National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Previously, he served as chief development officer for The Carter Center in Atlanta, where he planned and implemented a $150 million capital campaign and traveled with President and Mrs. Carter to increase the organization’s endowment. He also served as chief development officer of Private Support at CARE USA, leading efforts that raised approximately $65 million annually to fund humanitarian work in 70 countries. His career further includes roles as president and CEO of Providence Health Foundation in Washington, D.C. and as chief development officer for the Medical Center at Emory University in Atlanta.
In addition, Mazzara has consulted with NGOs, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations on board development, strategic planning and fundraising effectiveness, including conducting program assessments, feasibility studies and capital campaign planning.
Mazzara holds a certificate in management from the Harvard Institute for Educational Management, completed graduate studies in journalism at the Henry W. Grady College of Mass Communications at the University of Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Lynchburg College. His professional life has long been guided by the words of Ernest Hemingway: “Courage is grace under pressure.”
“Lighthouse Counsel serves organizations that are advancing the common good,” said Mazzara. “I am honored to join this team and support leaders who are stewarding mission, vision and impact in communities around the world.”
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