After a national search, Angela Seaworth, a nationally recognized leader in philanthropy, nonprofit management and fundraising with more than 25 years of executive, academic and consulting experience, has been named the next executive director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy. Seaworth begins her role on January 4, 2027.
Throughout her career, Seaworth has focused on translating research into practical tools that strengthen nonprofit organizations and inform philanthropic practice. She founded Rice University’s Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, which grew under her leadership from a local initiative to one serving nonprofit professionals in 39 states and five countries, and launched nationally recognized certificate programs.
She currently serves as an instructional associate professor at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in nonprofit leadership, human capital, fundraising and grants management. She has also taught graduate courses at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and the University of California, Irvine.
Through her firm, Seaworth Nonprofit Solutions, she has advised foundations, nonprofits, educational institutions and faith-based organizations on governance, strategic planning, fundraising strategy and capacity building. Over the past decade, she has designed and led capacity-building initiatives for rural and regional nonprofit ecosystems in partnership with private, education and community foundations throughout Texas.
Seaworth holds the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential, the highest professional certification awarded by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and has raised approximately $70 million over her career. She serves on the AFP Research Council and as a juror for the Skystone Ryan Book Prize and supports the Fundraising Effectiveness Project. Her work has been published in Giving USA, The NonProfit Times, Advancing Philanthropy and Continuing Higher Education Review.
She holds a doctorate in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Denison University.
“Dr. Seaworth brings a rare combination of scholarship and hands-on leadership to the Johnson Center,” said Ryan Otter, vice provost for research and innovation at GVSU. “Her career has been defined by turning research into tools that practitioners can put to work, which is exactly what the Johnson Center has done for more than three decades. We are excited to see how she builds on that foundation to serve nonprofits, funders and communities in West Michigan and across the country.”
Seaworth succeeds Elizabeth Dale, who has served as acting executive director since November 2025. Dale’s leadership kept the center steady through the transition while continuing to advance its research, professional development and publishing work. Dale will continue her role as Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy at the Johnson Center after Seaworth’s arrival.
Seaworth joins the Johnson Center at a pivotal moment for the sector. As executive director, she will work to advance the center’s active initiatives and originate new projects, collaborations and insights.
“When this center was founded, the hope was that it would help people and organizations give thoughtfully and well, and that it would make a real difference in our community and beyond,” said Dorothy A. Johnson, the center’s namesake and president emeritus of the Council of Michigan Foundations. “Angela’s career reflects that commitment. I am delighted to welcome her to Grand Rapids and to the Johnson Center.”
“Throughout my career, I have seen what becomes possible when nonprofit leaders and funders have research they can trust and tools they can use,” said Seaworth. “The Johnson Center has done that work in our field for more than 30 years. I am honored to join its talented team and the Grand Valley community, and grateful to Dr. Dale for leading the center so ably through this transition. I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside our partners to address the pressing challenges facing the sector and strengthen philanthropy.”
