Mr. Mark W. Jones, J.D., joined AGB Search in 2021 and has contributed to higher education since 1985 as a frontline fundraiser, campaign director, team leader, strategic communicator, and catalyst for enhanced alumni engagement. He has served a total of more than 20 years as the Chief Advancement Officer at four distinguished liberal arts colleges: Goucher, Wabash, St. Norbert, and Hollins; he also held senior leadership roles at the University of Virginia. Since 2014--representing Advancement Resources, Bentz Whaley Flessner (BWF), and Flywheel Strategies--he has partnered with colleges, universities, and other organizations to develop strategic training plans to enhance fundraising performance among their academic leaders, advancement professionals, talent managers, board members, and other volunteers. Additionally, he also provided one-on-one executive coaching to numerous senior academic and development leaders.
Since 2000, as Principal and Founder of his consulting firm, Flywheel Strategies, Mr. Jones has helped more than two dozen schools and nonprofit organizations with assessments, consultation, facilitation, coaching, and/or interim leadership work. Mr. Jones’ personal volunteerism has included eleven years as a Director, Officer, and President of the Hartwick College Alumni Association, as well as leadership roles on the Hampden-Sydney College Parents Council. Mr. Jones has long served as a leadership volunteer and frequent speaker for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), in addition to delivering numerous presentations for Academic Impressions, AFP, and other professional organizations.
Mr. Jones blogs regularly on leadership, fundraising strategies, alumni engagement, and talent development. He is also the manager of LinkedIn’s 7,500-member Higher Education Advancement Professionals group.
