Proven leadership. Practical solutions. Hands on experience.

A FIELD-BUILDING PARTNERSHIP

A consulting practice made up of former community foundation CEOs and senior leaders, CFii brings deep, hands-on experience to customized engagements that strengthen strategy, execution, and leadership. In partnership with The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), CFii combines executive-level insight with TPI’s decades of experience in strategy, consulting, and field-building to support emerging and evolving community foundations at critical moments of change.

OUR TEAM

This network of advisors brings decades of leadership experience as community foundation CEOs, CFOs, and VPs. With field-specific expertise and connections, our team delivers strategic guidance, specialized skills, and seasoned judgment to every engagement. Drawing on a wide range of skills, our consultants work collaboratively to bring the best ideas and solutions to the table with clients.

Peter Taylor
Peter is the former President of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF), where he guided the foundation’s evolution from a primarily donor-directed organization to a civic leadership organization. This strategic shift was achieved through stakeholder-informed planning, deeper donor engagement, staff restructuring and expansion, and business model alignment. During Taylor’s tenure, BTCF saw substantial growth, with assets increasing by over $110 million and annual grantmaking, fundraising, and the operating budget more than doubling. Prior to BTCF, Peter served as Vice President of Program at the Maine Community Foundation and associate dean of students at Bates College. He has chaired the boards of Philanthropy MA and Maine Philanthropy Center, and he holds a US Coast Guard Master’s License.

Katie Allan Zobel
Katie served as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) for a decade, guiding the foundation through strategic growth, which included doubling its financial assets and staff size. Katie led CFWM to adopt a strategic vision and priorities centered on increasing equity and opportunity through community leadership, strategic initiatives, and donor engagement, including leading region-wide giving campaigns that raised over $10M.  Her expertise includes nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and fund development. Prior to CFWM, Katie served in senior fundraising roles at Amherst College and WGBY/Public Television (now New England Public Media). Katie currently serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in the Massachusetts foster care system and serves on higher education and community advisory boards. She also holds a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation.

Beth Francis
Beth is the former President and CEO of Essex County Community Foundation, where she led community philanthropy efforts with a steady hand. With over 30 years in nonprofit leadership, her expertise lies in systems-change philanthropy and disaster response, having successfully raised and deployed millions of dollars during crises such the COVID pandemic and the Merrimack Valley gas explosions after which Francis raised $25 million. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s assets grew significantly, and she developed a model for cross-sector collaboration to strengthen the region’s economy and cultural life. Beth serves as a trustee of the Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation and lives in Beverly with her family.

John Vasconcellos
John served as President and CEO of the SouthCoast Community Foundation, which supports the 41 communities of Southeastern Massachusetts. With over two decades of non-profit management and leadership experience, his expertise spans fund development, organizational culture, and community engagement. During his tenure, the SouthCoast Community Foundation doubled its asset base, established itself as the go-to partner for regional philanthropy, elevated the primacy of collaboration problem-solving for a range of community needs, and lead the region’s response to the COVID pandemic. During his career, John introduced new approaches and brought renewed energy to organizations like the Trustees of Reservations, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and the Buzzards Bay Coalition. John is passionate about supporting creative and innovative organizations that aim to foster a healthier, more inclusive, and joyful world.

Kristin Leutz
Kristin served as Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for ten years, where she developed and led donor engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Building on her experience in foundation leadership, Kristin established Petra Impact Partners, a consulting practice that supports foundations, nonprofits, and small businesses in areas such as technology, operations, innovation, and leadership development. Kristin is also a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship, having supported and led organizations such as Valley Venture Mentors, the Startup Champions Network, and the Ecosystem Builder Leadership Network. Her work has helped build high-performing networks, accelerate inclusive entrepreneurship, and strengthen the infrastructure that supports founders and community-based innovation nationwide.

Bruce Hiltunen
Bruce served as Vice President for Finance & Operations at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, overseeing financial management for a $25 million budget and $220 million in invested assets. His expertise includes nonprofit accounting, budgeting, fund management, and financial analysis, with a strong emphasis on strategic planning and multi-year budgeting. His accomplishments include implementing long-term financial planning processes and leading the database conversion process from FIMS to Foundant. Bruce has held leadership roles at the Boston Bar Association/Foundation and now serves as the part-time Chief Financial Officer at the Connecticut Bar Foundation. He holds an MBA in finance and a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts.