Meet the Team

As a passionate educator, performer, and wellness enthusiast, Jake Lyons brings a diverse and dynamic perspective to his role at PRIDE Philanthropy. With a rich history in music and performance, Jake has not only taught at the University of Georgia but also performed at Super Bowl LIII with Maroon 5 and continues to inspire as a teacher with the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps.

Beyond the stage, Jake excels as a leader in the nonprofit sector with over a decade of experience, and has served as the Executive Director for multiple nonprofit organizations. His dedication to personal growth and development is evident in his avid pursuit of wellness and fitness. As an enthusiastic bodybuilder and marathon runner, he embodies the spirit of health and productivity. His passion for learning and sharing knowledge extends to his successful YouTube channel, where he explores the realms of filmmaking, videography, and percussion performance.

At PRIDE Philanthropy, Jake is a full-time philanthropy professional and educator. He is a creator of engaging educational content for the CFRE accredited PRIDE Development Institute, offering seminars, workshops, and academy programs for philanthropy professionals at all levels.

A proud member of the Tennessee Southeastern Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and an educator for Venture Forward, Jake's educational background in Communications & Public Speaking from the University of Georgia complements his professional certifications as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP).

Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jake balances his professional achievements with personal joys, including spending time with his beloved dog, Walter, spending time outside, watching Georgia football, and constantly seeking new knowledge in an ever-expanding world. Jake is continually inspired by the idea that all the world's information is at his fingertips, ready to be explored and learned infinitely.

Marti Barrow is not just about fundraising and nonprofit management—she's a passionate individual with a zest for life and a penchant for unique experiences. With over 18 years of dedicated fundraising expertise, Marti brings a vibrant and dynamic approach to her work. She thrives at helping people unlock their hidden strengths and maximize their potential.

When she's not busy championing philanthropic causes, Marti finds joy in her personal pursuits. You'll often find her pedaling away on her beloved Peloton bike, embracing the invigorating challenge it offers. As a true advocate for wellness, she indulges in an ice bath ritual daily, embracing its rejuvenating benefits. While she’s a sunshine girl at heart, her Nordic roots run deep and she has an unwavering love for the Minnesota Vikings – SKOL!

If you’re ever on a Zoom call with Marti, it’ll be hard to miss her favorite accessories - lipstick and statement earrings – she doesn’t miss an opportunity to infuse her everyday life with a touch of glamour! Music is a constant companion, especially the soothing melodies of country tunes that resonate with her soul.

In Marti's world, family is everything. She's happily married to George and cherishes every moment spent with her daughters, Kahala and Lily, along with her furry companion Aloha, her ever-loyal Bernedoodle.

Before her illustrious career in fundraising, Marti managed luxury spas in Washington, D.C., and Honolulu, where she developed her commitment to leadership and top-notch service.

A graduate of the University of Hawaii’s School of Travel Industry Management, Marti embodies public speaking prowess and stellar project management skills. Her vibrant persona and dedication to excellence make her a true asset, both personally and professionally.

Following a family tradition of four generations of fundraising, Jared’s background and experience includes both sales and marketing in SaaS (software as a service) and Fintech (financial technology) companies before joining the PRIDE team. Jared has successfully managed the growth of multiple sales teams in both domestic and international projects to help businesses maximize their bottom line. He currently works to expand the scope and reach of PRIDE’s services, as well as ensure seamless transitions evaluating potential projects and initiatives for new clients.

He is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Jared, being based in Denver, loves his home city and all it has to offer. Whether it's hitting the ski slopes in the winter or exploring the mountains in the summer, Jared enjoys the outdoors in Colorado year round. But Jared's adventures aren't limited to Colorado; he also has some extreme wanderlust. Having studied five languages, he enjoys fully immersing himself in different cultures and challenging himself with unique travel experiences all over the world. Always choosing adventure over leisure, Jared feels that this is one of the best ways to grow as a person. Jared loves incorporating new kinds of workouts and fitness regimens to continuously challenge himself, and is a secret film fanatic.

Jared Lyons is a dedicated professional in the nonprofit sector, sitting on the advisory board for the National Walk-On Scholarship Fund (NWOSF), a 501(c)(3) organization that provides scholarships to walk-on athletes in need of financial aid. In his current role at PRIDE Philanthropy, Jared is responsible for conducting research and analysis to assess proposed projects and initiatives for new clients as well as support for existing clients. He works closely with clients to understand their goals and objectives, and to develop strategies that will help them achieve their desired outcomes.

Jared is known for his ability to analyze complex data and distill it into actionable insights. He is a skilled communicator, able to clearly explain his findings to clients and stakeholders. He is also committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the nonprofit sector.

Jena McKinzie built her nonprofit career in North Louisiana and brings her southern hospitality to every donor interaction. Her passion for connecting generous individuals to meaningful causes has led to her most successful donor relationships. Jena often says that “every day in development is improv” which means that her theatre degree really was worth it!

During her career, Jena has been involved in all aspects of fund development including major gift solicitations, donor cultivation, corporate support, foundation, state and federal grants, annual campaigns, and event fundraising. Jena’s background in graphic design served her as she revamped the Centenary College of Louisiana’s direct mail and online solicitations to incorporate more segmentation which led to record breaking alumni participation and email engagement. Over the last decade, while serving two liberal arts colleges, Jena strengthened her experience in leadership development, organizational operations and strategic communications for major gift discovery.

A former member of CASE District 4 and regular speaker at district and regional conferences, Jena is excited to broaden her philanthropic impact by supporting PRIDE Philanthropy Clients across the country. Jena seeks to support staff and volunteer fundraisers as they steward the institutional resources with which they are trusted. Her development experience also includes building community partnerships and leading complex joint grant applications as well as collaborative programming ventures.

Jena has two bachelor’s degrees from Louisiana Tech University as well as a Master of Science in Human Services Administration and certificate in Nonprofit Management from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Based near San Antonio, TX, Jena shares two young sons with her husband Sam. Team McKinzie enjoys playing tourist in their new-ish region. In addition to exploring Hill Country attractions, they enjoy hiking and planning family road trips while Jena works on convincing her husband they should RV around the country.

Thomas (pronounced similarly to Spanish Tomás) built his first website in sixth grade. He coded and designed all throughout high school, but then took a ten-year hiatus from web development to focus on obtaining his master’s degree in translation, teaching English at a European university, and participating in drum corps in the United States.

Born and raised in Belgium, Thomas speaks four languages: English, Dutch, German, and French. He moved to America in the fall of 2017 and saw the move as the perfect time to get (back) into web and app design.

He is now the owner of Clawsun Design, the agency behind the 2022 PRIDE Philanthropy rebrand and website rebuild. In 2023, he did the book design for 10 Lessons Learned in 45 Years of Fundraising by former PRIDE CEO, Jim Lyons. Both in his role as web designer and in his free time as a drum instructor, Thomas has worked with numerous nonprofits.

Thomas resides in Nashville, TN with his wife Chelsea and their energetic dog Rachel. When he isn’t designing or teaching drumline, he loves to travel and eat chocolate.

Trish Williams is a seasoned professional with over 37 years of experience in administrative, computer, and customer support. Beyond her thriving career, Trish is a dedicated martial artist, currently holding a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Her journey in martial arts is a testament to years of commitment and discipline.

When she's not immersed in the intricacies of technology, Trish is an avid reader, exploring new worlds through the pages of captivating books. At home, she shares her space with two feline companions, Greyin and Mauve, who infuse her daily life with playful joy.

Family is at the core of Trish's happiness. Her two children, Lyora and Marek, bring laughter and boundless energy, keeping her on her toes and making every day an adventure.

Trish indulges in a guilty pleasure – a profound love for dark chocolate. The rich, velvety indulgence never fails to bring a smile to her face.

Professionally, Trish is not just tech-savvy but also holds a CompTIA A+ certification, coupled with a robust background in computer networking, particularly in Cisco routers and products. Her leadership shines through her five-year tenure as the Director of Corporate Operations with PRIDE Philanthropy’s predecessor, Lyons Associates, in Aspen, Colorado. In this role, she managed computer systems, software, the company website, corporate mailings, and orchestrated meetings and seminars.

Currently, Trish directs her expertise towards providing top-notch computer and client support for the ongoing expansion of the online PRIDE Resource Center and the PRIDE Development Institute, contributing significantly to the success of educational programming.

A graduate of New College of Florida in Sarasota, Trish's educational foundation complements her extensive professional journey, creating a well-rounded individual who embraces the harmonious blend of kicks and punches, literary escapades, feline companionship, parental adventures, and chocolate indulgence.