Lighthouse Counsel strengthens senior advisory team with Mark Dengler and Annie Fritschner

Mark Dengler

Annie Fritschner

Veteran nonprofit leaders add decades of executive leadership, fundraising and organizational experience to the firm’s work with mission-driven organizations

FRANKLIN, TN, UNITED STATES, October 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Lighthouse Counsel has welcomed Mark Dengler and Annie Fritschner as senior advisors, further strengthening the firm’s depth of experience as it helps mission-driven organizations navigate consequential decisions about leadership, philanthropy, planning and organizational effectiveness.
The additions continue Lighthouse Counsel’s investment in experienced practitioners who understand mission-driven organizations from multiple perspectives. Dengler brings four decades of executive leadership and organizational development experience, while Fritschner brings three decades of fundraising counsel, campaign leadership and nonprofit engagement.

“Organizations come to Lighthouse Counsel at important moments in their journeys. The depth and range of experience on our team allows us to meet those moments with perspective grounded in work that has actually been done,” said Jeff Jowdy, president of Lighthouse Counsel. “Mark and Annie each bring distinctive experience, sound judgment and a deep commitment to mission-driven organizations. We are honored to welcome them.”

Dengler most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. There, he oversaw capital development and membership growth across 27 locations and 3,500 staff members. During his tenure, the association erased long-term operational debt and grew membership by 20,000 families while finding new ways to use underutilized facilities for community benefit and developing future leaders.

Earlier in his career, Dengler worked with YMCA staff and volunteers across the country. In greater Boston, he helped expand branch boards by 250 members, followed by a $1 million increase in fund development. His capital development experience includes the construction of eight ground-up YMCAs and dozens of major renovations. He also spent five years working with an independent research firm to help YMCAs use data analytics to understand markets, support growth and better fulfill their missions.

Fritschner joins Lighthouse Counsel with three decades of experience in strategic thinking, planning and implementation, campaign creation and execution and mission-driven leadership. She is the founder and president of Raising Funds Effectively and has directed capital campaigns and led development for organizations including Fox Chase Cancer Center, Connecticut College and Goodspeed Opera House.

Her experience also reflects the many roles that shape philanthropy. Fritschner has served as an advisor, board leader, volunteer and donor. She has held leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals USA Foundation and served on the AFP Education Advisory Committee. She co-founded Women Helping Women, a fundraising initiative supporting women unable to afford health care in western North Carolina, and Sewing Our World Together, a sewing and marketing program for victims of sex trafficking.

Fritschner holds the Advanced Certified Fund Raising Executive credential from AFP. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and urban studies from Connecticut College and a Master of Business Administration from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She also holds a certificate from the Duke University Center for Nonprofit Management and is the author of “How to Start and Run a Nonprofit.”

Together, Dengler and Fritschner add to a Lighthouse Counsel team built around professionals who have served in executive, advancement, board and advisory roles themselves. Their appointments expand the range of firsthand experience available to clients while reinforcing the firm’s long-standing emphasis on senior-level counsel, collaboration and practical strategies tailored to each organization.

About Lighthouse Counsel
Lighthouse Counsel partners with mission-driven organizations nationwide to develop and implement strategies that increase mission awareness, organizational effectiveness and philanthropic support. Its work includes fundraising, strategic planning, board development and leadership development, supported by a team whose experience spans higher education, independent schools, health care, human services, associations, faith-based organizations and other mission-driven sectors. A member of The Giving Institute, the firm expands the legacy of Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners. Over the last 40 years, our advisors have together helped raise more than $12 billion for mission-driven organizations. Learn more at lighthousecounsel.com

Jeff Jowdy
Lighthouse Counsel
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