With over 20 years of experience leading institutions through times of growth and change, Jon started Lake Levels Strategy and Advisory LLC to support non-profits and growing businesses during pivotal moments for their team or organization.

Since founding Lake Levels, he has led successful projects in areas including Grand Rapids, Chicago, Dubai, Sydney, Washington DC. These diverse initiatives included narrative and communications, fundraising and revenue growth, budget building, audience analysis, and large-scale events with million dollar+ budgets reaching millions of eyes worldwide. Partners have included international think tanks, education and community-oriented small businesses, growing health facilities, and more.

Prior to this, Jon was the Managing Director of the Public Programs and Engagement Center at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. In a variety of positions over the course of a decade at the Council, he helped to more than triple the Council’s staff size and operating budget, set long-term goals and build teams to accomplish them, and built a successful strategy that allowed the organization to reach a worldwide audience for the first time in it’s nearly 100 year history.

Notable accomplishments included leading a large team of content creators design and implement thousands of in-person, hybrid, and digital events with government and corporate leaders from around the world, aligning fundraising and narrative with the organizational mission, and reorganizing the institution to prioritize data-driven decisions and a digital approach. Most of his work involved working in a complicated content environment where balance and careful planning were essential.

Jon also worked for many years as a co-chair of the Chicago-China Sister Cities program through World Business Chicago. Here he managed many long-term projects alongside the government and private sector, with a highlight being the design, management, and distribution of a major monthly communications strategy, directly supporting Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s new priorities. With this work, Jon was also a lead coordinator for business and government delegations from all across Asia looking to understand how the Midwest operates internationally.

Prior to this, Jon worked at Community Assessment, Referral, and Education (CARE) near Detroit, Michigan where he supported community-based projects, and worked as a mentor in afterschool programs for at-risk youth. He maintains his connection with the community by volunteering in numerous capacities.

Jon holds his Master’s Degree in International Management from University of London’s SOAS program, and his Bachelor’s Degree from Grand Valley State University.

He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his family. He is a runner, music lover, and avid Arsenal supporter.