Jack Hopkins is a consulting partner for Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
For over 40 years, Jack has been known as a leader of collaborative efforts among the business, governmental, philanthropic and non-profit sectors in revitalizing the Kalamazoo, Michigan community and focusing on growing resources for communities across all of Michigan. He is continually sought out for his perspective and advice in helping foster business and governmental development opportunities, initiate collaborative community economic development efforts, enhance the potential sustainability of non-profits and assist business and young professionals as they attempt to realize their business and career aspirations.
Jack received his B.A. from Marietta College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Ohio University in Communication and was awarded honorary doctorates from Marietta College and Nazareth College along with several community awards.
After serving higher education as a department chair, academic vice president and president during a 16-year period, he transitioned to community philanthropy and served as the president of the third largest per capita community foundation in the country for 25 years. The Foundation was recognized nationally by the Council on Foundations and FSG (Boston) for innovative initiatives that helped transform Kalamazoo and Michigan’s philanthropic sector. During his tenure the Foundation’s assets grew from $38 to $400 million.
In his professional career, he has worked in San Antonio; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Lafayette, Louisiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Marietta, Ohio; Moorhead, Minnesota; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Naples, Florida; St. Louis and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Jack has co-chaired two successful major capital campaigns focusing on the creation of a new home for Kalamazoo’s only day-time homeless shelter and broad campus improvements to a Continuing Care Retirement Community while serving on a campaign cabinet to transform a former historic church into a vibrant arts and entrepreneurial co-working business environment. He has served on numerous non-profit boards stretching across the arts, human services and business development areas.