Active in not-for-profit management, administration and education for 27 years, Jan F. Brazzell founded Advancement Consulting to help not-for-profit leaders move their organizations forward. A community leader and veteran of successful fundraising campaigns throughout the Puget Sound area, Dr. Brazzell specializes in strategic planning, effective fundraising, capital/endowment campaigns, board development, group facilitation and team building for optimal performance.

Prior to establishing Advancement Consulting, Jan served as Executive Director for the MultiCare Health Foundation, supporting Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals and the MultiCare Hospice of Tacoma. During Jan’s leadership the Foundation tripled board giving and launched the Multicare Center for Healthy Living.

Previously, as Vice President for Development and University Relations, Jan led Pacific Lutheran University’s development, communications, alumni and family relations, and public broadcasting programs. She planned and directed the University’s “Make a Lasting Difference” campaign, which surpassed its $52 million goal to raise $72 million in cash and future commitments toward endowment, music center completion, academic programming and scholarships.

As Director of Corporate, Foundation and Group Support for the Franciscan Foundation, Jan developed the case for St. Joseph Hospital’s successful “Campaign for a New Emergency Center.” And, previously, as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Louisiana State University, she helped secure an $850,000 National Science Foundation grant to establish the school’s new Center for Life Cycle and Population Studies.

A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Jan received her Doctorate in Sociology from Indiana University and a Certificate in Educational Management from Harvard. She also received certification from Bob Weyant & Associates to deliver training in Managing for High Performance and Retention and Influencing Skills.

Past president of City Club of Tacoma and the Tacoma Club, Jan also participates in the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Board Source, South Sound Planned Giving Council, Northwest Development Officers Association, The Nonprofit Center, Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 and the Werlin Reading Tutors Program. Jan was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Girl Scouts – Pacific Peaks Council in 2001. She lives in Tacoma, Washington with her husband, Wolfgang Opitz, and their adorable cat, Bernie.