Jo Anne Bander is a noted consultant and writer who brings over 35 years of experience in the private, nonprofit, philanthropic and government sectors to helping her clients achieve their business and philanthropic goals.  Her professional, personal and voluntary networks include many of the leaders of the philanthropic, nonprofit, public policy and consulting sectors. 

In her words, “strategic philanthropy applies private philanthropic dollars to building effective communities and fostering social change.  I was drawn to the artisan food movement from a lifetime passion for farm-fresh foods and products; the food is just the visible tip of an emerging movement to protect rural lands, create viable jobs and businesses and promote sustainable development.  No matter what happens in the private sector, large scale, sustainable strategies make the most impact when incorporated into the public sector through effective public policy initiatives.”

Bander, the president and CEO of From the Source, was the president and CEO of Donors Forum of South Florida from early 1995 through 2003.  In that time the Forum grew from under 40 members to an association of over 125 foundations and corporate giving programs active in South Florida. 

Bander has been involved in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors for 35 years, during which time she was Vice President of Dade Community Foundation and Director of Planning for the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged.  She began her career with the Agency for International Development, served in Paraguay with AID, and has served as a consultant to the Miami-Dade County Public School System on the development of their school advisory committee system.  The focus of her career has been economic development broadly defined, with a particular interest in the development of the capacity of nonprofit organizations.  Bander has taught in the nonprofit program of Barry University.  Her twenty years in organized philanthropy have allowed her to build relationships with foundation leaders from throughout the United States. 

Recent and current clients include the Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation, PhyTrust, the University of California at Davis, Laura Jane Musser Fund, Louis J. Appignani Foundation, and several other philanthropic organizations.   

Bander has served on the Alliance for Human Services Board; Board of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers; Miami-Dade Historic Preservation Board and Ryan White Advisory Board and been president of the Miami Wellesley Club; an officer of her Wellesley College class; and a member of the board of the Greater Miami Y.W.C.A.  She is currently on the board of the GablesStage, Funding Arts Network and the Leadership Florida Institute.  Ms. Bander is a graduate of Wellesley College and has an MBA from Florida International University.