WASHINGTON, DC

Stephen Whisnant | Managing Director

Stephen H. Whisnant founded Stephen Whisnant Strategies, LLC in early 2014. He currently serves as managing director of this boutique consulting firm that provides philanthropic services to individuals, organizations and charitable foundations. Prior to establishing his own firm, he served as Director of Philanthropy and Advisor to the National Democratic Institute in Washington, D.C. and as an independent consultant to nonprofit organizations and initiatives, nationwide. Prior to serving this international NGO which promotes democracy building around the globe he was a Managing Director for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, based in their Washington, D. C. office. He assisted with a number of special projects, helping the design of their first capital campaign and including work with the US Paralympics and the US Olympic Foundation Trustee program. Prior to joining the US Olympic Committee, he served as the Campaign Director for the "Building for Peace Campaign" of the United States Institute of Peace. The headquarters’ project, a $186,000,000 campaign, provided a permanent home for the Institute and it includes an expansive Global Peacebuilding Center on the northwest corner of the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Whisnant has an extensive background in fund development and general management and senior leadership positions in nonprofit work. Prior to joining USIP he served as Vice President of Development and Investor Relations at Venture Philanthropy Partners. He has also provided consulting services to both national and international organizations, advising them on their development plans, strategic planning, board development, capital campaign planning and general operations. He served full-time as Senior Director of Development and Non-Profit Initiatives, and then as a consultant to Paul Allen, Jody Patton and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in Seattle, Washington. He developed long-term fundraising and operations strategies for the Experience Music Project, the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Documentary Film division of Vulcan Productions, and the Microcomputer Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Whisnant spent fourteen years in higher education as a senior development officer and advisor, including ten years at Harvard University and three years at Davidson College; his tenure included work in alumni relations, major and leadership gifts and three capital campaigns. He gained political fundraising experience during his tenure as the first-ever Executive Director of the Presidential and Democratic Party Victory Fund in support of the 1988 presidential race.

During his tenure at Harvard he became actively involved in the community service movement, especially among athletes, and in 1993 he opened the doors of World T.E.A.M. Sports, an international sports nonprofit committed to offering rich and dynamic programs to all levels of athletes, especially persons with disabilities. He served as the organization’s first Executive Director/CEO for eleven years. The organization received international recognition for its work in advancing educational and medical initiatives through sports events and programming. Whisnant oversaw the production of four documentary films and numerous award-winning educational curricula. He is a recipient of an Emmy Award, serving as an Executive Producer of “Vietnam, Long Time Coming.”

He holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s in Education from Harvard University. He has served as a trustee, director or advisor, respectively, for World T.E.A.M. Sports, PeacePlayers International, The Doug Coombs Foundation, Fencing in Schools, The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, Collegiate Directions, Classroom Champions, EverWalk, Kartemquin Films and Athletes for Hope. He has presented frequently at national conferences, contributes to regional and national publications, and he was awarded a Lyndhurst Prize by the Lyndhurst Foundation for his work and commitment to community service.

He and his wife reside in Washington, D.C.

Michael Edmonson | Executive Associate

Michael Edmonson is an Executive Associate and Senior Advisor at Whisnant Strategies and has been with the firm for 8 years. Michael supports all aspects of client work and has had the privilege of working with some incredible organizations throughout his career including Special Olympics International, Morehouse College, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, National Democratic Institute, Smithsonian Institution and Earth Day Network – among many others.

In addition to his role at Whisnant Strategies, Michael is the Co-Founder and CEO of Worthy Mentoring, a non-profit organization that provides mentorship to the LGBTQ+ community through an innovative iOS and Android App. A tech nonprofit, Worthy Mentoring is changing the way the LGBTQ+ Community supports each other in coming out and coming to accept and love themselves.

Michael graduated top of his class from Louisiana State University, and early in his career, he had the unique opportunity to work for CBS in Los Angeles, California garnering valuable public relations and marketing experience across a variety of television shows and platforms.

Brian O'Rourke | Associate Director

Brian O’Rourke is Associate Director of Management and Research at Whisnant Strategies, a position he has been in since February 2023. In this role he is responsible for overseeing the timely execution of research services, project tasks and timelines, and administrative duties that drive the operation forward. During his time at Whisnant Strategies, Brian has had the distinct pleasure of working with a number of transformational organizations such as Trenton Youth Wrestling, The Centre for Sport and Human Rights, The Equity Lab, Hebron University, Magnet Schools of America, and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Originally from Massachusetts, Brian graduated from the George Washington University in 2022 with a degree in Political Communication and International Affairs. Outside of his professional career, Brian is an avid athlete and rower. He competed as a member of the GW men’s rowing team for all four years of his college tenure, ultimately serving as Team Captain his senior year.

ADDITIONAL OFFICES

AUSTIN, TX | CHICAGO, IL

Our Team at Whisnant Strategies also consists of dedicated employees in Austin, TX and Chicago, IL that drive our business and impact forward. From professional graphic designing to strategic planning and consulting, our diverse team is here to provide powerful and effective solutions in the philanthropic space.