Our Team
The Kavelman Group (TKG) works with our clients as collaborative thought partners. Every project is given specialized, senior-level attention and guidance. Our consultants have extensive experience at the executive level at some of the country’s leading institutions such as the American Academy in Rome, Asia Society, National Endowment for the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, Columbia University, as well as in the private philanthropic divisions of U.S. Trust and J.P. Morgan. Our expertise spans both the funding and the nonprofit management sides of philanthropy.
Buff Kavelman
Buff Kavelman founded The Kavelman Group Philanthropic Advisors in 2007 to build strength and impact for donors and nonprofit leaders from many fields, including arts and culture, environmental conservation, public health, social justice, and global understanding. TKG’s clients range from start-up organizations to small family foundations and large institutions with years of global achievements. To date, the firm’s work has spanned over 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. With over 30 years of experience as a funder, board member, and nonprofit executive, she has a balanced perspective on philanthropy.
Linda Earle
Linda Earle has worked across cultural disciplines as a funder, educator, curator, and nonprofit executive. For over 40 years, she has advocated for innovation, inclusion, access, and participation in arts and cultural organizations while leading the development of new platforms for creative practice. She launched and directed the new program in Fine Arts Management as Professor of Practice at Tyler School of Art at Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia, creating curricula in cultural policy, the history of philanthropy in the arts, and management practices. Linda was a 2021 Visiting Scholar at the Pew Center for Art and Heritage during which time she produced essays and public programming on Black cultural archives.
Shirley Ferguson Jenks
Shirley Ferguson Jenks has more than 30 years of experience as a development professional. Since 1994, Mrs. Jenks has provided fund-raising counsel to nonprofit organizations in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. At The Kavelman Group, she brings her expertise in development and strategic planning across the cultural sector to help clients realize their institutional long- and short-term goals.
Drew Zeiba
Drew Zeiba has ten years of experience in nonprofit development, outreach, education and programs. In addition to his work within and supporting cultural and social justice nonprofits, he is a published author and an editor and independent digital curator in the fields of art, design, architecture, new media and technology. At The Kavelman Group, Drew supports foundation and nonprofit client projects as a writer, editor, researcher and program associate.
KEN GOODY
Ken Goody has over 25 years of experience with private and family foundations, family offices, financial and nonprofit institutions with activities including grantmaking and philanthropy, investment management and strategic development. At The Kavelman Group, Ken works with individuals, families and foundation boards to help clarify their philanthropic vision, and create strategic and achievable grantmaking programs.