James Waddey has spent nearly two decades working alongside nonprofit leaders, first in in-house fundraising and leadership roles and now as a consultant supporting mission-driven organizations. He began his career in the nonprofit sector in 2007 and spent more than fifteen years in advancement and leadership roles, primarily with organizations serving vulnerable children and their families, including Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers and Youth Villages in Atlanta, where he spent much of his career.

Today, James partners with boards, executive leaders, and senior teams to strengthen fundraising capacity, strategic alignment, and long-term planning. He is especially energized by work that brings people into meaningful conversation and connects people, priorities, and resources so organizations with strong missions can make sound decisions and build toward sustainable impact. His recent consulting work has focused primarily on human services and faith-based organizations.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia, with a minor in Sociology. He currently serves as Secretary of the Davidson Community Foundation. His work is grounded in a long-standing commitment to service and the communities organizations call home.