“Very rarely do we meet someone with such a rich set of experiences: educator, curriculum writer, stockbroker, writer, speaker, philanthropist & singer. It is even more rare to find such a strong entrepreneurial drive in someone with her list of accomplishments. Joy is a careful listener with a sharp intellect, offers great insight & opinions & is able to challenge the status quo with grace. Her enthusiasm rivals that of any Silicon Valley wonder kid, but unlike those peers, her focus on strategic planning & her commitment to philanthropy make her a true Joy!”
Experience & Qualifications
Author
CeeGee's Gift, a Novel
Finalist American BookFest Young Adult Fiction Award, 2020
Winner Best YA Coming of Age Fiction, PenCraft Award for Literary Excellence, 2019
Winner Many Books, Best Young Adult Fiction, April 2019
Finalist YA Fiction, Texas Indie Author Project, 2019
Semi-Finalist Young Adult Fiction, Book Life Prize, Publisher’s Weekly, 2019
Interview Texas Author Series with Cari Clark, 2019
Manuscript, Winner Writers' League of Texas, Best Young Adult Fiction, 2010
One Act Play, Winner & Audience Choice Award, San Juan Islands Playwright's Festival, 1992
You Don't LOOK Sick! Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness with Dr. Steven Overman, 1st edition 2005, 2nd edition 2012
UpJourney’s Best 11 Books for Living with Chronic Illness and Pain, 2019
1st Edition, finalist USABookNews Best Books, semi-finalist IPPY Award
Columnist for the National Pain Report, Global Genes
Book Tour Video Interview for the Community Pain Center
Speaker for national conferences, radio & television interviews & webcasts
Service & Professional
Professional Philanthropic Advisor & Communications Consultant, April 2017 to 2024 www.joywrites.com
Philanthropic Advisor, certified as a CAP®, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy 2017-2024.
Formerly associated with Seeds for Change LLC, a nonprofit consultancy, and Rodman & Associates, 2017-19 representing clients in nonprofit, family, foundation, and corporate giving
Services include researching donor priorities, designing giving models, assessing impact and speaking on effective philanthropy
Content Writer for corporate and nonprofit clients, working with teams and individuals on outward facing communications
Creator of the NonProfit Tool Kit, a selection of customized strategic communications tools to reach potential supporters. Clients have been local, national and global with missions including health care, social and human services and the arts.
MINDPOP, Development Director, January 2014 to April 2017 www.mindpop.org
Responsible for raising 70% of $500,000 annual budget
Over 90% of grant applications resulted in awards totaling nearly $850,000
In 3 years, doubled contributed income with parallel growth in donor base
ZACH Theatre, Board President 2011-2013, Trustee 2004 to 2019 www.zachtheatre.org
During term as President, successfully completed $22+ million capital campaign to build & open 420-seat ZACH Topfer Theatre
Chair 5-Year Strategic Planning & Management Evaluation Committees, 2013-14
Chair Board Policy Task Force and Transition Team, 2011-12
Chair Membership Committee, 2007-2009
Chair Education & Education Vision Committees, 2005-07
Named Honorary Lifetime Member of ZACH Board of Trustees in 2019
Non-Profit Founder, Board Director, Consultant 2007 to present
Interstitial Cystitis Association, McLean, VA, Board Director, 2013-2016, www.ichelp.org
A Legacy of Giving, Austin TX, Founder, Board Director 2005-09, Consultant 2011
San Juan Island Community Foundation, WA, Founder, Board Chair 1997-2000, www.SJICF.org
Financial Advisor 1980-1994, Vice-President Investments, 1987
Hired by Merrill Lynch in 1980, recruited by Smith Barney, 1984
Managed over $130 million in client assets
Designed diverse investment portfolios for high net worth & inexperienced investors
Taught MBA Investing course at California Lutheran University & Skagit Valley College
Arizona State University, Instructor & Regional Curriculum Specialist, 1970-1981
Instructor ASU Department of English, Composition, 1975-80
Language Arts Curriculum Specialist, K-12 ‘Blueprint for Communication’ adopted by Tempe Area Schools, 3 districts serving 33 schools in Tempe AZ, 1979-80, Consultant for Ajo Public Schools and San Carlos School district 1978-79
Language Arts Curriculum Consultant for Arizona State Department of Education, 1978-79
Published 9 articles on the teaching of English, Cited for Outstanding Contribution to Education, Arizona State Department, 1980
Education
Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, American College of Finance, 2017
PhD, Curriculum & Instruction, Language Arts, Arizona State University, 1981
Master of Arts, 19th & 20th Century British & American Literature, Arizona State University, 1977
Master of Arts, English, Secondary Education, Arizona State University, 1974
Bachelor of Arts, English, Secondary Education, Arizona State University, 1969
“I am a witness. Joy Selak gets things done. She thinks ahead while embracing lessons of the past. These two qualities are essential to success in community leadership. I served for many years with Joy on the San Juan Island Community Foundation Board. Her leadership and efforts were the building blocks for a thriving organization.”
“Folks, they do not make them any better than Joy Selak. We had the opportunity to serve on the board of the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) together. From the moment I met Joy, I knew she was amazing. Her care for the association, the members and all involved was impressive. I learned a great deal about leading and caring from Joy. She knew our goals and was very helpful in leading us to those ends all the while bringing everyone along, making them feel important and needed. It was a true blessing to get to serve with Joy and learn how to better serve others.”