In this episode of Rising Voices of Fundraising: The AFP Emerging Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Dwayne Ashley, founder and CEO of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, to explore the intersection of identity, equity, and leadership in our sector. Dwayne shares his path into fundraising, sheds light on the often overlooked history of Black leaders in philanthropy, and offers practical, heartfelt advice for emerging professionals navigating workplace authenticity, funding barriers, and persistent misconceptions about organizations led by people of color. Guest: Dwayne Ashley: With over 35 years in the philanthropic industry, Dwayne Ashley has utilized his knowledge of fundraising and passion for social justice to create opportunities for people of color through his founding of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting (BPC), one of the country’s largest full-service fundraising firms. Throughout his career, Dwyane has sought to align with organizations that share his values regarding the betterment of underserved communities. Through that alignment, he has raised billions to support those communities. During his early years, the spirit of charity was instilled into Dwayne through witnessing his great-grandmother’s establishment of one of the first schools to educate blacks in Heflin, Louisiana, which has now been memorialized as one of the oldest Black churches in the state. The weaving of his great-grandmother’s legacy into Louisiana’s rich history pushed Dwayne to forge his own path and attend Wiley College and the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels School of Government, where he learned how he, too, could use his knowledge to help the underserved. Dwayne serves on the Board of the African American Development Officers and The Giving Institute, as well as serving as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for more than 35 years, where he sat on board positions with Philadelphia and New York City chapters. In addition to professional organizations, Dwayne is also a member of community-based organizations like One Hundred Black Men of New York and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, where he has been honored with the ‘Bigger Better Business’ award, leading to his five-time inclusion in Ebony Magazine’s list for most influential Black Americans. Hosts: Jarrod Williams, MBLI, CFRE, is a courageous, strategic, and results-oriented fundraising leader with over a decade of experience driving revenue growth, donor engagement, and organizational visibility. He is committed to building cultures of philanthropy within mission-driven organizations and brings a proven track record across major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, event strategy, and data-informed decision-making within both social justice and arts organizations. He serves as a Client Experience Leader for Veritus Group, where he educates and coaches fundraisers across the country on innovative mid-level and major gift strategies. In this role, he partners with organizations nationwide to strengthen donor pipelines, elevate fundraising performance, and build sustainable revenue models. Jarrod has been recognized for his leadership and influence and remains actively engaged in advancing the fundraising profession. He serves on the AFP Global Emerging Leaders Committee and the AFP LEAD Education Committee, supporting the development of the next generation of fundraising professionals. In 2020, he was named a Top 30 Under 30 Young Professional by 101.1 The Wiz in Cincinnati. He is also a graduate of the Urban Leaders Institute through the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, where he earned the Best-in-Class Award for Best Connector—recognizing his ability to build meaningful relationships and mobilize others around a shared vision. He is a proud Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a graduate of the AFP Global Faculty Training Academy. Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, CFRE, ACNP, GPC, CAP, Founder & CEO, AQP Consulting & Executive Director, ENP: Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier has fourteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has collectively raised approximately $5 million for over 75 organizations. She serves as Executive Director of ENP and runs her own nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting, where she helps grassroots nonprofits with fundraising strategy, strategic planning, board development, and grant writing. Allison is a vocal advocate for gender parity, closing the wage gap, and ending the motherhood penalty. With accolades such as AFP’s Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional, NBJ’s 40 Under 40, NBJ’s Women of Influence, a National Latino Leader, and the Women Who Rock Nashville Social Justice Award, Dr. Quintanilla Plattsmier strives to serve and better her community every day. A dedicated AFP member for the last seven years, Allison currently chairs the Women's Impact Initiative (WII) Mentorship Program and serves on the LEAD Education Advisory Committee. When she is not out serving her community, she is spending time with her three kids, Quintan, Karina, and Kamren.
