Leadership
MGI’s experienced professional staff provides a level of client support and resources unparalleled in the field, made possible by 40 years of careful attention to the practice, as well as the theory, of philanthropic management.
Our professional staff are experienced decision-makers and strategic planners, effective communicators and successful fund-raisers. But of utmost importance to us and to our clients — they’re excellent listeners.
John A. Martin, CFRE
President and Managing Partner
John Martin has more than 30 years experience in the not-for-profit field, on both the organizational and consulting sides. Through his consulting work with clients seeking counsel for major capital campaigns, Mr. Martin has earned a reputation as one of North America’s top strategists for the not-for-profit sector.
His brash mix of social concern and aggressive business smarts has helped raised hundreds of millions of dollars for colleges, hospitals, human service organizations and arts and cultural groups throughout North America. John Martin was awarded the Association of Fund Raising Professionals (Minnesota Chapter), Outstanding Professional Fund Raiser for 2007. John Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University, as well as Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Toronto. Mr. Martin was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Martin Communications Group. Prior to building successful communications and fund-raising practices, John was the Executive Vice President of Development for the Red Cross Society and was the Executive Director of a children’s mental health center.
His career has included assignments throughout North America, from Mount Sinai Hospital, Fairview Foundation, North American Baptist Conference, Osgoode Hall Law School, La Jolla Playhouse Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Royal Academy of Arts, Kings College, Atlantic Baptist University, Boys & Girls Club of Minneapolis, Business School at York University, Knute Nelson, Phillips Eye Institute Foundation, Payne Maryland Project and Legacy Christian Academy. Mr. Martin is Past-President of the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives (now AFP) and a Director of the MN Chapter of AFP. He also a member of the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Health Care Philanthropy (AHP).
Pamela J. Capriotti, CFRE
Principal and Creative Director
Pamela is a Principal of the firm and MGI’s Creative Director. She headed the renowned MGI team that developed the strategy and implemented operational systems resulting in millions raised for MGI clients including The Ballet Opera House Corporation, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Bishop Strachan School, Groves Learning Center, Hilton Head Preparatory School, and Osgoode Hall Law School. Ms. Capriotti has designed award winning communications programs for clients including The Salvation Army, Canada’s Walk of Fame, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Her unique background includes fund-raising and public relations experience as well as professional theater and music. She received her B.A. from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in English Literature and American History. For the past 30 years, she has been responsible for public relations and major fund-raising projects with various charitable organizations in the United States and Canada. She is internationally recognized for her fund-raising and communications campaigns strategies. She is a past member of the National Board of NSFRE (now AFP), founding member of Minnesota Research in Fund Raising Association, board member of MN Chapter of AFP, founding member of Leave a Legacy/Lowcountry, President of Toronto Chapter of AFP, Board member of Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry. She has received awards from Hilton Head Preparatory School and the DAR for her contributions to volunteerism and philanthropy. In addition, she volunteers directing student musical theatre productions in her community and is a requested speaker nationally on the topics of media training, communications for not-for-profits, as well as fund raising and strategic planning.
Dr. Dean Erickson
Senior Counsel
Education Philanthropic Consulting Practice
Dr. Dean Erickson is a career educator. He has experience as a middle and high school teacher and coach in the U.S., Zambia, and Sweden. His leadership credentials includes over 25 years as a middle school principal in an independent college preparatory school as well as serving as President of Legacy Christian Academy in Minnesota. His leadership style helped build solid and supportive relationships with students, parents, faculty, and community groups. As a school leader, Dr. Erickson was involved in several successful capital campaigns for facility remodel and expansion as well as increasing endowments. He has hands-on experience on how to successfully raise resources for independent schools and how to structure and carry out fundraising campaigns.
Dr. Erickson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Park University in Chicago, a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota, Administrative Licensure from University of Denver, and a Doctor of Education from Bethel University. He was awarded a Japanese Fulbright Award in 2006 to travel to Japan and study the Japanese educational system. He currently serves as vice chair of the American Swedish Institute, which has just completed a twenty million dollar building expansion campaign and he leads the Institutes governance committee.
