Our ^ Team
JANID Advisors is comprised of full time and contract professionals who have worked more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector. By enlisting a cadre of experienced professionals who understand nonprofit nuances — how to cultivate relationships and work within the constraints of tight budgets, JANID’s time savvy advisors are adept at working efficiently. Our professionals possess an expertise in: Research, Grant-writing, Management, Operating Systems or Major Gift Solicitation and Stewardship. They are “diagnosticians” who solve problems at the root cause and deliver effective useable solutions. Taking a holistic approach to philanthropy, our advisors provide organizations with tools they need to move their mission forward.
PETER T. WILLNER, Ed.D.
Co-founder
Peter Willner brings over 40 years of nonprofit successes to JANID client engagements, with an expertise in donor relations, grant writing, nonprofit management, and organizational development. Experienced in diverse fields, ranging from government to public education, community relations, and higher education, Peter was able to transition organizations primarily dependent on fundraising, into thriving self-sustaining entities. Serving as Chief Executive Officer and in other executive leadership roles, Peter’s know-how and appreciation for comprehensive development programs benefitted American Friends of Hebrew University, UJA-Federation of New York, Anti-Defamation League, and the Cooperative Educational Services of Connecticut.
A community advocate, Peter serves on the Board of Directors at the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, as a Trustee at the Fairfield Public Library Board, and as a Director at Congregation Beth El. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for the National Executive Service Corps.
Peter earned his doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts and bachelor’s degree from Long Island University. Peter and his wife Jane, reside in Fairfield, CT, and enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren, and nutty, clownish, half-human dog Hershey.
ELAINE R. SCHNEIDER, CPA
Co-founder
Elaine Schneider, a right and left-brain thinker, has worn many hats throughout her career. Having worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to global corporations, Elaine brings a comprehensive toolkit to JANID and fundraising solutions: finance, infrastructure-building, operational improvement, human resources, marketing, and diverse fundraising activities such as donor research and cultivation, “friend-raising” events, and conferences.
Prior to transitioning into the nonprofit sector, Elaine founded HUMANTICS Inc., a management consultancy that helps business leaders and organizations grow revenue and optimize performance from start-up through sell-off. Previously, Elaine held change-agent roles, serving as COO and CFO for several independent and publicly held interdisciplinary marketing communications firms, the latter primarily within the WPP and Interpublic Group networks. Among them, Ogilvy & MatherPR, Landor, Wunderman, and Media First Intl. Elaine began her career as a licensed CPA at Ernst & Young.
Some attribute Elaine’s success to innovative ideas and holistic decision-making, but those who know her well say it’s due to her secret sauce — one part logic, one part creativity, and the key ingredient … humor.