BWF is taking product development head on with the promotion of Josh LaBorde to lead product innovation. Having spent the last two and a half years working with BWF clients to identify their emerging needs and pain points, he is poised to guide efforts to continue BWF’s legacy of innovation to move the industry forward.
Technology is evolving at an extremely rapid pace and is playing a growing role in the ability of nonprofits to advance their missions. BWF is evolving its technology prowess to allow us to continue to best support, advance, and empower our clients. BWF’s deep and diverse expertise in fundraising, combined with its history of innovation and excellence in delivering effective tools to clients, uniquely positions us to deliver products that enable nonprofits to scale and maximize their ability to solve the world’s challenges.
Katrina Klaproth, chief operating officer and president, Philanthropic Services, is excited about what this direction and promotion means for the entire company.
“By building out product development, BWF is once again strengthening our growing portfolio of solutions and ensuring we remain a premier accelerator of philanthropy. Our company’s continued growth and expansion is focused on innovation, and Josh LaBorde is a perfect fit to help us continue to push the envelope to better serve our clients.” -Katrina Klaproth, chief operating officer and president, Philanthropic Services
LaBorde has been integral to recent product-related decisions at BWF. He played a key role in expanding AI at BWF and building a deep partnership with IBM, and he identified FundMiner as an industry-changing technology, for which BWF and other investors provided the seed money for the first-to-market, AI-powered fund management platform. This was BWF’s first-ever investment in a seed round.
In his new role, LaBorde will lead market research and industry analysis efforts to help BWF identify emerging trends, unmet needs, and opportunities for innovative products in the nonprofit sector. He will oversee end-to-end product development for new products and service offerings that align with BWF’s strategic plan and client needs.
In reflecting on his promotion, LaBorde is excited about what this means for the company’s future. “I couldn’t be more excited about this tremendous opportunity and am honored to contribute to BWF’s already 40-year history of innovation and elevating the nonprofit community.”
LaBorde brings almost 25 years of experience in operations, information, and technology. Since joining BWF in 2021, LaBorde has served as an associate vice president on the systems and operations team. He has served clients ranging from healthcare organizations to private colleges, major universities, and various nonprofits. His clients have included the Bipartisan Policy Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Luminis Health, , the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and Corus International. LaBorde’s work has focused on partnering with clients on strategically deploying best practices, process optimization, leveraging data and technology, and maximizing the return on their systems and operations investments. Prior to leading advancement services and philanthropy operations teams for a decade and then joining BWF, his roles included product design, development, and management in telecommunications and in technology startups.
LaBorde is also actively involved with industry groups, including AHP where he serves as a Madison Institute faculty member, and aasp, where he volunteers as a mentor.
About BWF
BWF is a mission-driven for-profit company serving the nonprofit sector, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions that ensures all nonprofit strategic, technical, and functional needs are met. Our mission is empowering nonprofits to achieve impact and imagine new possibilities. Structured yet agile services in the core areas of campaign and fundraising strategy, operations and technology, fundraising marketing and engagement, and enterprise strategic planning allow BWF to deliver on its mission. Clients include universities, health systems, arts & culture organizations, faith-based organizations, and NGOs throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Rim. As a truly comprehensive solutions provider, BWF has a team of consultants with extensive background and experience in every facet of philanthropy.
