We bring you a world of experience

Supporters of CAFAmerica benefit from the extensive and specialized expertise and experience of its staff and Board.

Meet the staff
The CAFAmerica team has more than 40 years of combined experience in international grant making, program design and financial services. We welcome the chance to discuss your international philanthropic goals and are always available to take your call. We take special care to explain and clarify our cost structure since there are higher levels of due diligence required for global philanthropy from the US.

Engage in a conversation with us

	Susan Saxon-Harrold, PhD, Chief Executive Officer Susan Saxon-Harrold has served as CEO of CAFAmerica since 2002. She is dedicated to working with a vast array of American donors to engage them in international philanthropy, and assists foreign nonprofits in understanding how they can build more effective relationships with US donors. Saxon-Harrold is also a member of the board of directors of The CAF American Donor Fund.   Prior to joining CAFAmerica, Saxon-Harrold held positions as vice president of research, INDEPENDENT SECTOR in Washington, D.C., head of research at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), and as a research fellow at Volunteering England, London, where she was engaged in building a base of research knowledge about the nonprofit sector in the United States and Europe. In between research appointments, she created a UK grant making foundation (NEP International Trust) and ran a family company.   Saxon-Harrold has served on the advisory boards for London School of Economics, Centre for Civil Society, London, UK; the US Committee, Points of Light Foundation; the American Association of Association Executives, Research Foundation, Washington, DC; the Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector Research Fund, Washington, DC; and the European Foundation Centre, Orpheus Program, Brussels, Belgium.    She is the author of The New Nonprofit Almanac: Desk Reference, multi-authored, Jossey Bass (2002); America’s Religious Congregations, Independent Sector (2001); Giving and Volunteering in United States in 1999, Independent Sector (1999), among other publications.   Saxon-Harrold holds a B.A. (Hons) in Public Administration and Social Policy and an M.Phil and Doctorate in Business Studies from the University of Bradford (UK).
	Erik Josephson, Grants Officer Erik works with the grants team and responds to applicant inquiries. He joined CAFAmerica in June 2008. Before joining CAFAmerica, he worked with community foundations at the Council on Foundations. Erik holds a B.S. in International Studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
	Linda Kim, Grants Officer Linda joined the CAFAmerica grants team in January 2010. She has been in the not-for-profit sector for over 15 years and holds a Bachelor Degree in Human Service Studies and a Masters Degree in Education. Prior to joining CAFAmerica, she served in various roles towards improving the quality of education for underserved populations in the U.S. as well as abroad.
	Kimberly Muse, Executive Assistant Kimberly began with CAFAmerica in July 2008. She has over ten years of experience managing business relations and administrative support at a senior management level. Prior to joining CAFAmerica, Kimberly worked for a meeting management and event planning company in Arlington, VA for eight years.
	Jessica Necheles, Grants Officer Jessica joined CAFAmerica in December 2007.  Her responsibilities include assisting the grants team and responding to applicant and donor inquiries.  Jessica holds a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Wesleyan University.
	Denise Simpson, Director of Donor Advised Giving Denise is responsible for CAFAmerica’s business development and donor relationship management. She has more than 14 years of experience in the philanthropic and corporate arenas. Prior to joining CAFAmerica in 2007, Denise was Business Planning and Development Manager for CAF in the UK and worked in Product Management for Fidelity’s Charitable Gift Fund. Denise holds an MBA from Babson College and B.A.s in International Regional Studies and German Language and Culture from the University of the Pacific. “I like working for an entrepreneurial organization that truly cares about its donors and grantees. We connect individuals with the causes that matter most to them. We lift the burden of administration, freeing up our donors to focus on the fun bit — the giving!”
	David Venne, Director of Finance and Administration David has worked within the non-profit sector since 1992 and most recently as Director of Finance and Administration with Christian Service Charities, an association of charities. David has a B.A. in Accounting from Luther College, Decorah, IA.

Meet the board

	Janet C. Boyd, ESQ., President For more than 18 years, Janet has provided legal counsel to a number of tax-exempt organizations. She has served as a CAFAmerica board member since 1999, and as president of CAFAmerica since 2002. Janet currently works for the Dow Chemical Company in Washington, D.C., providing legal and policy advice on tax, corporate governance, and employee benefits issues. Before joining Dow, she was a partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, L.L.P. Janet received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas-Austin and a law degree from the George Washington University National Law Center. She is a member of the Bar in the District of Columbia and a member of the American Bar Association’s Tax Section. She also serves on the board of the Tax Council.
	Jeff Doyon Jeff Doyon joined CAFAmerica as Treasurer of the Board in March 2008. His responsibilities include financial management and compliance. He brings to CAFAmerica more than 20 years experience that includes leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit organizations, and experience in public accounting. Jeff holds a B.A. degree in Economics from the College of William & Mary, an M.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
	John Low Prior to joining CAF as the Chief Executive in 2007, John Low was Chief Executive with RNID. He is Chairman of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). After completing a PhD in Bio-Medical Physics specialising in speech and auditory feedback, he pursued a 20 year career in the technological industry, serving both western and developing markets, before moving to the voluntary sector. He is a Chartered Engineer, Companion of the Institute of Management and a fellow of the RSA.
	Russell Prior Russell joined CAF in the autumn of 2005. He is the Executive Director, Enterprise and Philanthropy Development, and responsible for Give As You Earn, CAF Company Account and Company Trusts. Two decades with Barclays furnished Russell with a wealth of knowledge and experience of the banking sector. At Barclays his roles included General Manager of Offshore Corporate Banking, Marketing Director of Premier Banking, and Strategy and Transformation Director of Premier Banking.