Don Morgan joins Gary Kaplan & Associates
By Staff ReportsPasadena Now, October 27, 2008
Don Morgan, has joined Pasadena-based executive search firm Gary Kaplan & Associates, working as a principal, primarily conducting executive-level searches for non-profit organizations, foundations, and educational institutions.
Morgan brings over 14 years of experience working with dynamic mission-driven organizations as well as an extensive academic background.
"Over the last five years, our education and non-profit business has quadrupled in size as the interest and demand in these sectors has grown," said Gary Kaplan, president and founder of the firm. "Adding Don to the team further demonstrates our commitment to continuing to build this portion of our business, by hiring someone who has excelled in the field and enhances our service to our clients through his knowledge and experience in this area."
Prior to joining the firm, Morgan served as vice president of Mission Advancement at Verbum Dei Cristo Rey High School in Watts, California. In this role he contributed to institutional advancement decisions, as well as determined and achieved all development goals at the school.
His work at Verbum Dei was preceded by several years leading his own consulting practice. D.L. Morgan Consulting specialized in working with non-profit organizations in organizational development, staffing, capacity building, and board development.
During four years at the University of San Francisco, Morgan served the university in a variety of capacities, including alumni relations, major gifts officer and director of regional development.
He worked in development at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona during the early stages of an institutional capital campaign as well. His work experience also includes helping establish the community relations department for the Arizona Diamondbacks Major League Baseball team and counseling homeless and run-away youth at Larkin Street Youth Center in San Francisco, California.
Morgan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of San Diego, a Masters of Public Administration from Arizona State University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
His PhD research, through the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy, focused on an expanded role in the community development for non-profit organizations. While doing research, a number of his articles were published in peer-reviewed nonprofit journals and were presented at several international conferences.
He has held a research fellowship at the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University and continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member in the Policy School at USC. He also currently serves on the Boards of Directors for Urban Compass, a non-profit organization serving elementary school children in Watts, and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Southwest, and serves on the Mission Advancement Cabinet for Verbum Dei Cristo Rey High School.
"I feel my work as an executive search consultant for non-profit organizations and schools and universities provides me the opportunity to help place vibrant and dedicated executives in organizations that need leadership to accomplish their mission," said Morgan. "Placing a qualified and passionate individual in a mission-driven organization can make the difference between a non-profit succeeding or closing its doors, especially in today's environment. Working at Gary Kaplan & Associates gives me the opportunity to meet this challenge and make a difference."
Pasadena-based Gary Kaplan & Associates is a retained executive search firm serving clients nationwide and overseas for over two decades with an emphasis on executive and senior-level management positions in higher education, for-profit and non-profit organizations. For further information visit www.gkasearch.com.
