Patton McDowell brings more than 35 years of experience helping nonprofit leaders and organizations strengthen their impact through effective leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising. He has partnered with more than 325 nonprofit organizations, supporting boards, executives, and senior teams as they navigate growth, change, and complex strategic decisions.

Prior to his consulting work, Patton held leadership roles with Special Olympics International, NC Special Olympics, UNC Wilmington, and Queens University of Charlotte before founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership. He currently serves as Director of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership, where he leads the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy and Leadership Gift School programs. He also facilitates cohorts of the Mastermind Leadership Program and the Interim Management Institute, as well as board and staff retreats.

Patton is the host of the award-winning podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership and the author of the book of the same name. He was a Morehead Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, earned an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte, and holds a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. Patton and his wife Cindy are the proud parents of Katie, Lauren, and Parker.