Current Resume - 9/2021

1. J O H N F . Z E L E N K A
S T R A T E G I C R E L A T I O N S H I P B U I L D E R
PROFILE
Accomplished strategic relationship builder and social responsibility leader with history of driving strategies that
advance giving, brands, and community reputations for non-profit and for-profit organizations. Versatile
professional with diverse experience in all social responsibility areas, including high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-
high-net-worth (UHNW) donor fundraising/cultivation, deep relationship building, corporate partnerships, small-
dollar campaigns, event planning, program management, marketing, communications, building community, and
volunteer/stakeholder engagement. An innovative catalyst that sets mission-aligned strategies, develops targeted
action plans, and inspires internal and external resources to execute initiatives. A lifelong relationship builder who
serves as trusted advisor to C-Suite leadership/Board of Directors (BoD), influences key community/business
leaders, and collaborates cross-functionally to achieve goals. Participative leader skilled at leading teams and
organizations through periods of turbulence and change, while building inclusive cultures through collaboration
and trust.
STRENGTHS
▪ Strategy and Execution ▪ Donor/Prospect Engagement ▪ Communications/PR
▪ Marketing/Branding ▪ Team Leadership ▪ Partnership Building
▪ Board Engagement ▪ Program and Project Management ▪ Crisis Management
▪ Curiosity ▪ Creative Problem Solving ▪ Relationship Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Consultant & Advisor
KJZ Impact LLC / Self Employed Project Consulting Work / New York, NY / 2014 – Present
As of 2021, incorporated consulting/advisory business under KJZ Impact. Currently building out opportunities to
grow and expand scope of part-time projects. Before official filing, and since 2014, led a variety of small project-
based ad-hoc consultancy assignments focused on helping businesses (including for-profit and non-profit clients)
optimize strategic, programming, and financial performance. Supported portfolio of clients in a variety of areas,
including fundraising strategy, event planning, pipeline development, community building, board development and
engagement, growth expansion, and volunteer management.
▪ Current chair of fundraising committee/board of advisors for The Groovy Projects, an innovative
entertainment/music non-profit looking to cultivate empathetic global citizens through discussion and the arts
seeking first-round funding and philanthropic support to launch into next phase of growth and impact.
▪ Assisted a community services organization plan and execute a 600-person fundraising gala.
▪ Helped a community-based organization launch “impact eventing,” which connected an extensive network of
entrepreneurs from around the country.
▪ Advised and acted as a partnership development officer for an educational tech startup looking to change how
companies recruit on college campuses.
▪ Supported the successful launch of a musical education and performance art startup.
Interim Director, Philanthropy & Individual Giving (Contract Role)
Lumos Foundation / New York, NY / 2019 - 2020
To cover a long-term maternity leave, brought on as Interim Director of Philanthropy and Individual Giving Manager
for 1-year contract role overseeing the development, fundraising, and stewardship efforts of the US office of the
Lumos Foundation, based in NYC. Recruited to provide interim fundraising leadership for Lumos, founded by J.K.
Rowling, and dedicated to ultimately reducing the number of children placed in institutions and orphanages by
2050. Led a team that drove major U.S. fundraising and donor-engagement initiatives, with special emphasis on
Phone : 914.450.5815 Home : New York, NY 10010 Email: john.f.zelenka@gmail.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/johnfzelenka

2. J O H N F . Z E L E N K A , P A G E 2
accelerating HNW and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) strategies. Closely managed the donor pipeline and planned/
executed several high-level fundraising campaigns and events. Helped organization become more financially sound
while simultaneously balancing international components and the reputation of a HNW founder.
▪ High-touch donor stewardship and engagement of current and new donor prospects.
▪ Attracted donations of $100K+.
▪ Launched a smaller giving campaign which exceeded expectations by raising $30K+.
▪ Led, managed, and oversaw the development of a UHNW exclusive invite-list and VIP dinner with J.K.Rowling
▪ Oversaw end-of-year digital campaign and fundraising asks.
▪ Established pipeline, donor strategy, and budget for 2020.
▪ Managed a close working relationship with the US Board of Directors.
Senior Director, Partnerships
The Future Project (TFP) / New York, NY / 2017 - 2019
Served as a senior leader/advisor for the inaugural fundraising team of a non-profit that helps young people find
and achieve their passions/dreams. Partnered with founders to install fundraising, stakeholder/donor engagement,
and stewardship best practices. Helped the organization navigate through a crisis period, including financial, right-
sizing, crisis management, and fundraising challenges. Led a team that developed and drove individualized
strategies (8-12 touchpoints per donor) for deepening relationships with 12 existing HNW donors/partners who
gave between $1m and $20M+ each. Created monthly engagement scorecards and led a variety of BoD
engagement initiatives, including a comprehensive Board handbook.
▪ Integral part of a due diligence effort that secured a $1.5M corporate partnership.
▪ Successfully retained 100% of donors who pledged over $1M annually.
▪ Developed individual strategic plans for each major partner, including a dynamic “health assessment” of each to
track monthly engagement and relationship to the organization.
▪ Oversaw all production and submission of all donor and foundation reports.
▪ Boosted donor pipeline to 600 verified prospects, 50 converting into donation-giving partners.
▪ Launched first-in-kind “Giving Tuesday,” a small-dollar campaign raising thousands of dollars.
▪ Co-managed a robust and detailed CRM implementation and conversion from Excel.
▪ Oversight on all research on “audacious billionaires” and creating creative fundraising pitches for several
potential leads.
Director, Strategic Partnerships
BUILD / New York, NY / 2016 - 2017
Founding member of a NYC non-profit chapter that brings entrepreneurship to at-risk students from underserved
communities. Drove fundraising, growth, partnership, and branding strategies to integrate BUILD into the NYC
school system. Identified and developed external relationships with over 200 partners who served as volunteers
and fundraisers.
▪ Successfully establish an organizational brand and a base structure for growth/expansion.
▪ Developed/implemented a fundraising strategy that raised $1M in 2016 and $1.5M in 2017.
▪ Established a key multi-year partnership with a leading NYC sports league.
▪ Launched program to over 500 NYC school system students within the first year of operation.
▪ Managed 13 staff as part of a 3-person leadership team.
Senior Vice President, Client Services and Business Development
Drum Hill Capital / Norwalk, CT / 2014 - 2015
Pivoted into the for-profit sector to lead business development for a boutique multi-family office investment
management company. Shifted company strategy to include a focus on new clients in the company founder,
entrepreneurial, and “new wealth” populations. Launched a 5-year plan to grow investments under management
from $150M to $750M. Developed a segmented marketing strategy that involved collateral, digital marketing, and
communications.

3. J O H N F . Z E L E N K A , P A G E 3
Various Roles, Alumni Affairs and Development
Cornell University / Ithaca & New York, NY / 2003 – 2014
Sr. Associate Director & Strategic Engagement Officer / New York, NY / 2012 – 2014
Promoted to help drive $4B in capital campaign donations by targeting HNW alumni in the Northeast Corridor.
Developed and launched innovative programming with strategic partners such as the NFL, NHL, Alvin Ailey,
Andrew Ross Sorkin, and project leads for the World Trade Center rebuild. Reinvigorated existing donor
relationships while forming new partnerships with hundreds of HNW individuals. Successfully executed 10-20
events per year, attracted 5K alumni event attendees, and elevated 100 HNW donors into higher levels of giving.
Lead Program Officer, Cornell Wall Street / New York, NY / 2009 - 2012
Promoted to create and lead launch and growth of program for Cornell University alumni engagement and
donor relations during the financial crisis. Developed a strategy to grow an innovative business affinity network,
raise funds, build new relationships, and engage 5K+ Cornell alumni. Designed and launched over 150 events
and programs, enabling Cornell to re-establish connections with displaced alumni and meet fundraising goals.
Associate Director, NY Regional Office / New York, NY / 2007 – 2009
Oversight of 5 regional volunteer clubs, development and managing programming for over 40,000 alumni,
developing strategic partnerships with campus colleagues on fundraising, responsibility for small-dollar
fundraising up to $5K, and identifying new volunteer leaders.
Individual Giving Associate | Event & Program Assistant / Ithaca, NY / 2003 – 2007
Coordinated Principal Gift alumni and families (high net worth with capacity over $10M+), focusing on prospect
research, event/meeting/proposal/briefing preparation, identification of giving opportunities within Colleges
and Units, gift processing, and oversight of events/meetings on campus and in New York City.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Master of Business Administration (MBA), General Management
Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management
Bachelor of Science, Animal Science
Cornell University
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
▪ Member, Summit Series / 2018 – Present
▪ Member, Breakout / 2014 – Present
▪ Techstars Mentor / 2014-Present
▪ Cornell Entrepreneur Network; Cornell Wall Street; Cornell Silicon Valley / 2003-Present
▪ Cornell Club New York / 2003-Present
▪ Johnson School Class Annual Fundraising Committee / 2012-Present
▪ Johnson School Class Officer (1 of 4 elected in class of 70) / 2010-2012