Meet-a-FLiP: Jillian Nebenfuhr-Marcussen

External Affairs Coordinator
Fels Institute of Government
University of Pennsylvania

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: Let’s start with the basics.  Where are you from, where did you go to school, and what was your major?

Jillian Nebenfuhr-Marcussen: I am originally from the New York/New Jersey area, and received my Bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University in International Relations/Political Science.  I have always been interested in politics and thought that was where my career was headed.  As an undergraduate, however, I interned in a Senatorial office and came to the conclusion that I did not want to be an elected official.  The experience was great, but it really demonstrated to me that politicians have virtually no personal life or time to spend with their families and I didn’t want that for myself. 

I then considered public policy and non-profit work, and interned for the Committee of Seventy, an election reform non-profit.  Following graduation, I did what every Political Science major does and considered law school, but decided to pursue graduate school instead at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.  My graduate program was a refreshing change from my undergraduate work, which was heavily based in theory.  Fels is designed to provide very practical, hands-on knowledge that can be directly applied to the real world. 

FLiP: How did you get involved in the nonprofit sector?

JN: While at Fels, I began interviewing in the non-profit sector and landed a position as an Income Development Coordinator for the American Cancer Society.  I was not specifically looking to do fundraising but found it to be a good fit with my skill set.  At ACS, I was responsible for three major special events (Relay for Life events).  This gave me great exposure to a very centralized non-profit.  I found that I enjoyed special events but since that was all I was doing, I needed to move on to acquire more diverse non-profit experience. 

I then became the Director of Resource Development & Communications for the United Way of Western Montgomery County, where I was responsible for all aspects of the annual campaign as well as grant funding and communications.  While there, I successfully applied for a challenge grant that increased our number of leadership gifts by over 20%, led a re-design of our website, increased our exposure in local media, and was active in a merger process.  Being at a small United Way not only afforded me the opportunity to take on many more responsibilities than I had at ACS, it also exposed me to the nuances of a very decentralized non-profit organization.  As our United Way moved along in the merger process, it was not clear what role I would play in the new organization. 

FLiP: Can you talk about your role at your current job?

JN: Around the same time, I was contacted by a staff member at Fels, my graduate school, to gauge my interest in a new position they were creating to oversee external affairs.  I interviewed and received an offer for this position, and this is where I currently am working.  I am now responsible for organizing and managing our first ever annual appeal.  I will also oversee alumni events and general alumni outreach, which was somewhat inconsistent prior to my arrival.  In addition, I am working to build relationships with partners both within and outside of the university as well as increase Fels’ profile as a public administration school. 

It is great to have a role in creating something new and to have the opportunity to promote something near and dear to my heart.  In addition, I have continued my love of politics through volunteer work with several local, state, and federal campaigns.

FLiP: As someone connected to young professionals through your work with alumni affairs as well as to students at Fels, have you seen any increase in interest and/or the number of students going into work related to fundraising or grantmaking since you were a student at Fels?  Have you heard of any particularly interesting jobs that alumni have in these fields?

JN: There definitely seems to be greater interest in the non-profit sector, particularly in the area of foundations.  In fact, we are adding courses right now to meet this demand.  This is reflected in our alumni employment, where we have people in positions with the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Philadelphia Foundation, William Penn Foundation, Boston Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, and the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers.  We are also proud to include your co-worker, [Changing Our World Philanthropy Division President] Carolyn Cavicchio, among our alumni.

FLiP: Where do you see yourself professionally in 10 years?  In 25 years?

JN: I always want to be in a position where I am learning new things and being challenged.  That being said, right now I see myself staying at Penn, where there are endless possibilities for professional growth and advancement.

FLiP: Do you have any advice for FLiPs considering grad school?

JN: I would recommend working in the field before entering graduate school, which is not what I did.  Actually I began my graduate program full-time and then switched to part-time when I started working at the American Cancer Society, and I found that I got much more out of my classes when I could apply the lessons to my real-world experience.  I would also consider all of your options, since graduate programs are much more tailored to specific areas than undergraduate programs are, and talk to current students and alumni to see if there is a good fit.  Another tip is to look at alumni employment for the graduate programs you are considering to find out if what graduates are doing post-program is consistent with what you see yourself doing.