Joseph (Jay) Caporale

Jay has more than 30 years of experience serving the nonprofit community. For 22 years he was President and COO at a national consulting firm that provided philanthropic counsel to nonprofits. Jay’s expertise includes capital campaigns, strategic planning, and development office operations with a special emphasis on board development and major gifts.

For five years, he served as Executive Vice President and Director of Philanthropy at the Essex County Community Foundation. Before joining the consulting firm, Jay’s professional experiences were in the political arena. He was Director of Community Relations and Economic Development for U.S. Congressman Chester G. Atkins of Massachusetts.

Most recently, he was Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Engagement at Merrimack College where he graduated with a Political Science and Economic degree and earned a Masters in Science: Management.

Jay served as Board Chair of Joseph Hermann Youth Center in North Andover. He also served as a commissioner at the Essex National Heritage Commission in Essex County, Massachusetts. For three years he was Chair, Board of Directors of UNICEF New England and was also on the President’s Council of Merrimack College.

In November 1992, Jay went to Guatemala as part of a peace delegation sponsored by Witness for Peace. He remains active in addressing high school students and interested groups on the continued struggle for human rights in Guatemala.