Tom is an accomplished fundraising professional, with two decades of experience leading development efforts in non-profits focused on missions, higher education and publishing. His past roles include VP of Advancement for Slavic Gospel Association, VP of Stewardship for Moody Bible Institute, Regional Director of Development for Wheaton College, and Executive Director of Russian Leadership Ministries. Tom’s expertise includes providing fundraising counsel to nonprofit organizations, including promotional and marketing messaging, direct response fundraising strategy, major donor and planned gift development, and capital campaign counsel. A graduate of Purdue University with a B.A. in Psychology, he earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois, College of Law. Tom is a licensed attorney, having practiced 14 years including roles as a senior executive and corporate general counsel for two technology and digital marketing services businesses. Tom and his wife Amy have five children, and live in Colorado Springs, CO.
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Vince Burens
Senior Consultant
Vince brings over 23 years of fundraising, strategic planning, and executive leadership experience to draw from in his work with The FOCUS Group. In over two decades with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), Vince held various roles including Director of Recruitment, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and ultimately CEO/President. During Vince’s time as CEO, he led a strategic planning process that catalyzed the organization to move from having a regional footprint to a national presence on over 150 campuses, in partnership with churches. During this expansion, he also led its first ever successful comprehensive fundraising campaign. Vince has had the privilege of being one of Praxis Labs first Scale Fellows as well as being the Chairman of the Board of The Pittsburgh Fellows program. He also serves on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations related to young adult faith and leadership development. He received his B.A. degree in Urban Development, Political Science, and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and has done graduate work at Trinity School for Ministry, where he is an adjunct professor. Vince and his wife, Lori, have 2 children: Mia and Tessa. Vince enjoys coaching soccer, having been a high-level club and high school coach for over twenty years. He is also a third generation winemaker and appreciates having a good walk spoiled by a round of golf.
