Jonah Nigh

As Juilliard’s former fundraising chief, Jonah Nigh reveals how visionary philanthropy fuels innovation, equity, and long-term organizational success.

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Working with Jonah at the EmERGe Conference and the ERG Impact Awards Celebration was an absolute highlight! From his comedy set to co-hosting the Awards and co-moderating the honoree fireside chat, he brought so much energy, warmth, and authenticity that truly elevated the entire experience. Jonah strikes a rare balance—bringing joy and humor to the stage while navigating the nuance required for corporate DEI audiences. In a complex sociopolitical climate, his ability to create space for both levity and meaningful connection made a lasting impact. Beyond his presence on stage, he was also a true partner behind the scenes. Jonah was flexible, collaborative, and always ready to jump in where needed. As an emcee and moderator, he beautifully connected themes across honorees, the broader conference, and the conversations unfolding in real time. Jonah doesn’t just engage an audience; he brings people together, leaving them feeling seen, energized, and connected.

Ilyssa Padrid‑Dykman

Associate Director, Event Programs, Seramount

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Why book Jonah Nigh for your next event!

Led Juilliard’s $550M campaign to make the school tuition-free, proof of Jonah Nigh’s unmatched expertise in strategic philanthropy and visionary leadership.
Recognized fundraising innovator and DEI leader, Jonah Nigh delivers proven models for inclusive success across education, arts, and nonprofits.
Featured speaker and consultant for Bloomberg Philanthropies, NEA, and Columbia Business School, trusted by leading institutions worldwide.

Non-binding request for Jonah Nigh

Creating Cultures of Equity, Empathy, and Excellence

Blending leadership, philanthropy, and humor, Jonah Nigh empowers organizations to achieve bold growth and lasting impact. As Juilliard’s former Chief Advancement Officer, he led a $550M tuition-free campaign and now inspires audiences worldwide with actionable strategies for inclusive leadership, fundraising innovation, and authentic storytelling.

Keynote Speaker Jonah Nigh is a dynamic fundraising and advancement executive, public speaker, producer, and comedian whose career bridges the arts, education, philanthropy, and entertainment. With over two decades of experience leading development at world-renowned institutions including Juilliard, Lincoln Center, Columbia University, and The Jewish Museum Jonah brings unparalleled insight into strategic leadership, organizational growth, and the power of storytelling.

As Juilliard’s former Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, Jonah spearheaded the school’s historic $550 million campaign to make its programs tuition-free an achievement that exemplifies his ability to turn ambitious visions into transformative realities. His keynotes inspire audiences to rethink how purpose, creativity, and inclusion can drive long-term success across industries.

Known for his charismatic presence and sharp wit, Jonah blends humor and strategy to help leaders and teams navigate today’s challenges with authenticity and resilience. His talks explore themes such as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), philanthropy, leadership development, and the role of creativity in business and nonprofit advancement.

Organizations that book Jonah Nigh for their event gain more than inspiration they gain actionable frameworks for building inclusive cultures, enhancing donor and stakeholder engagement, and leading with purpose. Whether addressing corporate teams, nonprofit boards, or academic institutions, Jonah Nigh delivers thought-provoking, entertaining, and deeply relevant keynotes that leave a lasting impact.

Book Jonah Nigh for your event to empower your organization with fresh perspectives, proven strategies, and an unforgettable experience that combines intelligence, empathy, and humor.

Customer Reviews

Ilyssa Padrid‑Dykman Associate Director, Event Programs, Seramount

Jonah has this way of pulling people in with total honesty and heart. He takes ideas that could feel heavy or complicated and turns them into something real and human. You don’t just listen to him - you feel seen, challenged, and energized to do better.

Jon McCoy, Co-Founder & CEO, We are for Good Becky Endicott, Co-founder & Chief Storyteller, We are for Good

We were so grateful to welcome Jonah Nigh to BMCC for his talk, Power, Presence, and Your Career Path: Owning Your Story in the Workplace. Our students were engaged from the very beginning. They felt seen, understood, and encouraged to keep exploring their own stories long after the event ended. Many of them wanted to continue the conversation, which speaks to the impact Jonah made and the possibility for future collaboration. Jonah brought honesty, warmth, and practical tools that our students can use right away as they move forward in their careers. We are thankful for the space he created and the wisdom he shared with our community.

Beth Cooperman Career Specialist at BMCC

Jonah delivered exactly what international arts leaders need right now: clear, values-driven guidance wrapped in memorable storytelling. He bridged philanthropy, audience development, and DEI with practical, actionable frameworks we could use the next morning—and he did it with humor that kept a global room fully engaged.

Maryna Tkachenko Myriad USA

We were thrilled to have Jonah speak at our 2025 Faces of Adoption Fall Gala. Jonah brought warmth, humor, and authenticity to every moment, creating a seamless and heartfelt evening that celebrated the power of family and community. As an adoptee himself, Jonah’s perspective added a deeply personal touch that resonated with our guests and elevated the program. His professionalism, compassion, and effortless connection with the audience made this year’s gala truly special. We are deeply grateful for his partnership and for the joy he brought to the stage.

Becky Fawcett Founder & President of Helpusadopt.org

Keynotes

Keynote by Jonah Nigh:

Leadership and DEI

Are your leaders equipped to build truly inclusive, high-performing teams?

In today’s rapidly changing workplace, many organizations struggle to translate their diversity and inclusion goals into authentic, lasting leadership practices. This is where keynote speaker Jonah Nigh transforms the conversation. Drawing from his decades of experience leading advancement at world-class institutions like Juilliard, Lincoln Center, and Columbia University, Jonah empowers leaders to create cultures of trust, belonging, and accountability.

Through humor, storytelling, and real-world insights, his keynotes reveal how inclusive leadership fuels innovation, strengthens engagement, and drives measurable results. Audiences walk away with practical frameworks for leading diverse teams, communicating with empathy, and aligning values with vision.

Book Jonah Nigh for your event to equip your organization with the mindset and tools to turn diversity into strength, and leadership into lasting impact.

Jonah can talk about the following topics

Representation in nonprofit leadership
Founding The BIPOC Forum for Fundraisers
Navigating power and privilege in the arts
Adoption and chosen family
Being your authentic self in the workplace

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Keynote by Jonah Nigh:

Fundraising Strategy & Philanthropy

Is your fundraising strategy struggling to inspire lasting donor engagement?

Many organizations face stagnant campaigns and disengaged supporters because their fundraising approach lacks innovation, authenticity, and purpose. In his powerful keynotes, Jonah Nigh transforms how leaders and teams think about philanthropy. Drawing from his success leading Juilliard’s $550 million tuition-free campaign, Jonah shares proven strategies that blend creativity, data, and storytelling to drive meaningful giving.

With insights from decades at top institutions including Lincoln Center, Columbia University, and The Jewish Museum Jonah helps organizations reimagine advancement as a relationship-driven, mission-centered practice. His engaging, humor-infused talks reveal how to connect with donors’ values, cultivate trust, and sustain long-term impact.

Book Jonah Nigh for your event to equip your team with actionable fundraising tools, renewed purpose, and a clear roadmap to philanthropic success that inspires both hearts and results.

Jonah can talk about the following topics

Inclusive and innovative approaches to fundraising
Leading advancement in times of crisis or change
Building authentic donor relationships across cultures

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Keynote by Jonah Nigh:

Arts, Media & Culture

Is your organization struggling to stay relevant in today’s fast-changing cultural landscape?

In an era where audiences crave authenticity and connection, many institutions in the arts, media, and culture sectors struggle to adapt their storytelling and engagement strategies. Keynote speaker Jonah Nigh bridges the worlds of art, education, philanthropy, and entertainment to help organizations reignite creativity and impact.

Drawing on his leadership experience at Juilliard, Lincoln Center, and Columbia University and his career as a performer and producer Jonah offers a rare perspective on how creativity fuels innovation, audience engagement, and cultural sustainability. His keynotes combine humor, strategic insight, and real-world experience to show how art and storytelling can drive purpose, inclusivity, and growth.

Book Jonah Nigh for your event to inspire your team to reimagine how art, media, and culture can connect people, spark change, and shape a more creative future.

Jonah can talk about the following topics

The future of arts institutions in a digital world
From stage to strategy: Lessons from a performer turned executive
Behind the scenes of NBC/ Peacock’s Baking It

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Keynote by Jonah Nigh:

Narrative & Motivation

Is your organization struggling to inspire genuine motivation and shared purpose?

In today’s demanding work environment, many leaders find it difficult to connect their teams to a compelling narrative that drives engagement and action. Keynote speaker Jonah Nigh transforms how organizations use storytelling to motivate, align, and empower their people.

With a career spanning philanthropy, education, and entertainment, Jonah combines the art of narrative with the science of leadership. His keynotes reveal how authentic storytelling can spark motivation, strengthen communication, and inspire individuals to see themselves as part of something greater. Blending humor, emotional intelligence, and strategic insight, Jonah helps audiences rediscover the “why” behind their work.

Book Jonah Nigh for your event to equip your leaders and teams with storytelling tools that elevate motivation, deepen connection, and turn organizational goals into powerful shared journeys.

Jonah can talk about the following topics