My two+ years as a student at Gonzaga University began with a promise — that my leadership studies would cultivate not simply a more learned person, but a learning one. I can firmly attest to the former, while at the same time, I’m very excited about the latter.
So, Who Am I?
I’m Evan Wildstein, and even before this graduate journey commenced, I was a student of organizations for nearly 20 years. I’ve spent the entirety of my career in and around nonprofits, leading fundraising, programming, and operations.
I’ve had the pleasure to work with fantastic organizations in New York City and Houston, including The Juilliard School, Houston Grand Opera, Asia Society, Rice University, and others. I have long been inspired by the intersection of philanthropy, creativity, and learning, and I’ve used those passions to manage a music education curriculum, commission operas, produce community-centered artistic programs, and galvanize funding for innovative projects that have inspired better communities. Apart from adoring my family, one of my hobbies is writing for Philanthropy News Digest and other publications.
You can learn more about my professional life on LinkedIn, and you can also explore my résumé.
My Gonzaga Journey
The required and elective coursework as part of the program is extensive, inviting students to explore myriad leadership philosophies, communication styles and ethics, organizational behavior and dynamics, and a host of other issues.
The program culminates with a leadership seminar called ORGL 620. Prior to the final course, students take nine courses through which myriad competencies are not simply learned, but demonstrated.
Learn more about my Gonzaga journey and the various skills I honed and “artifacts” (demonstrations of competence) for each of the nine courses.
My Leadership Philosophy
Early in our program studies, we are invited to write a leadership philosophy — an exercise that helps cement where each student is in their leadership journey compared with where they will be.
Read more about my leadership philosophy, and not simply how I came to craft the statement, but how it inspired the remainder of my time as a student — and my career work, as well.
The Nonprofiteer’s Fundraising Field Guide 