Phyllis Cunningham
Vice President
Development and Strategic Partnerships

Phyllis Cunningham has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and management in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. She recently joined the senior staff at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies as the Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships. Before assuming this role, she served as the National Director of Foundation Relations at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Prior to working at UNCF, for fifteen years, she was the CEO of Destiny Mapping LLC, a consulting firm serving the philanthropic and non-profit sector whose clients have included the America’s Promise Alliance, the Points of Light Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the McFarland Institute, Christ Church of Montclair, Anshe Emeth Community Development Corporation , the American Cultural Center in Senegal and EcoBank in Ghana, West Africa. Ms. Cunningham was also appointed as the first National Director of Program Development for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Faith in Action Program.

Over the years, other executive positions she has held include: Senior Associate, Communications and Development for the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. in New York, NY; and Senior Director of Development for the Points of Light Foundation in Washington DC. In addition, she has taught college-level courses in fund development strategies and she has facilitated numerous workshops and seminars in behavioral leadership at Georgian Court University, New York University, Kean University and a host of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Ms. Cunningham is the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees from Howard University in Washington DC, where she was valedictorian. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Organization Development from Georgetown University.

As an active volunteer, Ms. Cunningham often facilitates the “Defining Your Pretty” celebrity panel of UNCF’s EmpowerMe Tour—a college preparatory event held on university campuses around the country. She also serves as the vice president of the Entrepreneur’s Ministry at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.