Development leader brings global perspective, deep impact expertise to the
nonprofit support center in service to opportunity youth around the world
YouthBuild USA has announced the appointment of Michal Zahler as its new Major Gifts Officer. In this role, Zahler will spearhead YouthBuild USA’s individual philanthropic strategy, empowering philanthropists and donors to support YouthBuild USA’s partnership with opportunity youth—young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor employed—as they pursue their education, prepare for future careers and grow into community leaders.
Zahler is responsible for identifying, engaging and stewarding individual donors. Her work will support the YouthBuild movement across its more than 280 local programs, championing young leaders as they reclaim their education, gain job skills and grow into community leaders. She will drive forward YouthBuild USA’s Major Gifts strategy to supplement institutional giving efforts, expanding and sustaining ambitious programmatic goals at the local, national, and global levels.
Zahler joins the global nonprofit from the Clean Air Task Force, a Boston-based environmental nonprofit where she was Donor Impact Officer. She was previously the Development Coordinator for Principal Gifts at Harvard University and the Development Projects Specialist at Oxfam America.
“We’re so pleased to have Michal join the YouthBuild USA team,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “Her global perspective on nonprofit development is a welcome fit for our YouthBuild movement, helping us cultivate the relationships and strong financial support required to deepen our partnership with opportunity youth around the world. Michal is no stranger to complex global organizations with a focus on systems change, and she brings great expertise and energizing leadership to our team. We’re delighted to have her with us.”
“I’m thrilled to bring my background in fundraising to elevate the learning, livelihood and leadership that are the cornerstones of the YouthBuild movement,” Zahler said. “Building support for YouthBuild USA means building support for transformational change for opportunity youth around the world and our expansive network of YouthBuild programs.”
In YouthBuild programs, opportunity youth pursue their education, prepare for future careers, and grow into community leaders, building brighter futures for themselves and their neighborhoods. With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.
YouthBuild USA is the headquarters for a global network of more than 280 local YouthBuild programs in 15 countries, with 223 programs in 47 U.S. states and territories and 61 programs in 14 other countries.
Zahler received her bachelor’s degree in political science and history from American University. She currently lives in the Greater Boston area.
