Anna Ponder

Dr. Anna Ponder is the Chief Advancement and Impact Officer at the T.D. Jakes Foundation. In this key role, Dr. Ponder will enhance our culture of philanthropy and forge new donor partnerships, focusing on unrestricted gifts from individuals and organizations. She will lead the development team and represent the TD Jakes Foundation at various events.

Dr. Ponder brings extensive experience in advancement and nonprofit management, most recently serving as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Under her strategic leadership, the institution achieved a remarkable 100% increase in state allocations and a 300% rise in leadership gifts.

Holding a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University, Dr. Ponder has a proven track record in fundraising and stakeholder engagement. Previously, she served as Executive Director at the Tribeca Film Institute, where she managed a team of over 125, stabilized the organization, and raised more than $54 million in leadership gifts, while overseeing programming for the annual Tribeca Film Festival.

Dr. Ponder has also contributed significantly at the Robin Hood Foundation, cultivating relationships with high-value donors that accounted for a substantial portion of annual revenue. Her commitment to social justice and equal opportunity is evident in her professional and personal pursuits.

Dr. Ponder holds a bachelor’s degree in French Language and European History from Spelman College, a master’s degree in international economics and African Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University, where she focused on African Politics, African American Politics, and Contemporary Political Theory.