FamilyForward Welcomes New Chief Development Officer
FamilyForward is thrilled to welcome Joe Holt, M.A., as our new Chief Development Officer. Following an extensive search, Joe has officially joined the agency and is leading fundraising and communications efforts to grow our donor base and expand resources for the children and families we serve.
Joe comes to FamilyForward from ArchCity Defenders, where he served as Development Director. Previously, he was the Chief Development Officer for a region of the American Red Cross. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Sociology/Employee Relations from Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville.
Karen Nolte, FamilyForward CEO, shared, “Joe brings strong relationship- and team-building skills to FamilyForward and has the expertise we need to expand our community-centric fundraising. He has demonstrated his ability to cultivate meaningful relationships and partnerships with donors and help them engage with an organization’s mission. Joe expresses a heartfelt commitment to our mission, and I am delighted he will be working with us to support more children and families.”
“FamilyForward’s mission touches me deeply, and I am excited to play a role in helping children and families find the services and support they need to build safer, healthier relationships,” Joe said.
In his previous roles, Joe consistently exceeded fundraising goals and built lasting relationships that sustained financial support for the organizations he served. His dedication to community involvement and social change extends beyond his professional work. Joe was a member of the FOCUS Leadership class of 2021–2022 and has served as Vice President of the Critical Mixed Race Studies International Association and as a board member of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Missouri.
Outside of his work and philanthropic commitments, Joe enjoys hiking, biking, and tree planting. His passion for exploration has taken him across the globe, broadening his perspectives and deepening his appreciation for diverse cultures.
We look forward to embarking on this new chapter in fundraising for FamilyForward with Joe’s leadership—a big thank you to EMD Consulting for their guidance in this search process.