Bentz Whaley Flessner Announces Executive Transition

Bentz Whaley Flessner, a national and international philanthropy consulting firm for over 35 years
has announced an executive leadership change, appointing Joshua Birkholz as CEO, succeeding
founding principal Bruce Flessner. BWF is grateful for Flessner's contributions to the Firm and his
extraordinary contributions to the nonprofit community. BWF will continue its exemplary growth
with a commitment to diversity in all forms.

Minneapolis, MN, March 18, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Bentz Whaley Flessner (BWF), global fundraising
consultancy, has announced changes in its executive leadership team. Joshua Birkholz, 11-year principal,
will succeed Bruce Flessner as the Firm's CEO. Flessner, company founder and principal, is stepping
down from his role as CEO and leaving the Firm after 36 years of service. The BWF executive team will
continue under the capable leadership of its principals Birkholz, Katrina Klaproth, and Mark Marshall.

Birkholz, a leader in big philanthropy and noted author, is most recognized for his work in the integration
of data science with nonprofit development. In addition to overseeing several BWF service lines,
Birkholz has led organizational change, campaign design, and philanthropic growth acceleration at
leading NGOs, universities, and academic medical centers throughout North America, Europe, and the
Pacific Rim.

BWF is grateful for Flessner's contributions to the Firm and for his extraordinary contributions to the
nonprofit community. His leadership, expertise, and mentorship has guided a generation of fundraising
professionals, and he has helped expand the missions of universities, colleges, and academic medical
centers worldwide.

The executive team said of Bruce, “BWF was privileged to have Bruce's tireless commitment to the
nonprofit community for 36 years. We will always be proud of the mark he made on philanthropy, the
organization he helped found, and the legacy he leaves with the consulting profession. Although it is hard
to see one of our leaders go, especially one with such talents, we wish him the best for the years ahead.”

Collaborative Leadership at BWF

Joshua Birkholz joined BWF in 2004 and is considered a global innovator for the business of fundraising.
During the 15 years of consulting with leading nonprofits, universities, and healthcare centers around the
globe, Birkholz has redefined how we look at modern program design, fundraising in a smart economy,
and branding in the high-net-worth marketplace. Birkholz authored the sought-after book, Fundraising
Analytics: Using Data to Guide Strategy and contributed to both A Kaleidoscope of Prospect
Development and Return on Character. He currently serves as the Chair of the Advisory Council on
Methodology for Giving USA, and he is an instructor at the Rice University Center for Philanthropy and
Nonprofit Leadership. Birkholz's many industry accolades include the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching
Excellence from CASE and the prestigious Apra Visionary award for his contributions to prospect
development.

“I am excited to continue the legacy of innovation at BWF,” Birkholz said. “From our pioneering work in

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prospect development under Bobbie Strand to our contributions in new wealth philanthropy under Bruce
Flessner, BWF has put the advancement of our industry first. Today, we are leading the nonprofit
consulting profession in the integration of data science with campaign fundraising. We are changing and
guiding how nonprofits fundraise in an increasingly diverse, global economy and helping them to
embrace a new digital frontier.”

Driving Growth at BWF

Birkholz continued, “My goal is to uncover the hidden drivers of the successful nonprofit in new ways. I
want us to be a force of evolution for both large organizations and the community-based charities. BWF
will continue our exemplary growth with a commitment to diversity in all its precious forms. It is my
honor to be a reflection of this extraordinary firm of selfless, kind, and brilliant advancement
professionals.”

Birkholz, Klaproth, and Marshall remain committed to building and maintaining successful partnerships
with each client and look forward to helping them advance their philanthropic goals.

About Bentz Whaley Flessner

BWF is a full-service philanthropic consulting services firm headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and
Washington, DC. BWF serves large- and medium-sized nonprofits in the areas of campaign management,
high-net-worth fundraising, organizational consulting, data science, digital marketing, and technology.
Clients include universities, health systems, and NGOs throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and
the Pacific Rim. As one of the only comprehensive fundraising consulting firms, BWF has a team of
consultants with extensive background and experience in every facet of philanthropy. For more
information please visit www.bwf.com.

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Contact Information:
Bentz Whaley Flessner
Meredith Berry
952-921-0111
Contact via Email
www.bwf.com

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/779935

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