Fulcrum Leadership

Chris Looney, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Chris Looney, Founder and CEO of Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership, has devoted his professional life to strengthening the nonprofit sector and advancing the effectiveness of those who lead it. Today, his work centers on elevating nonprofit leadership and expanding the capacity of executives to guide their organizations with clarity, purpose, and impact.

Nonprofit leadership is deeply rooted in the Looney family. Chris is the son of two accomplished and widely respected nonprofit fundraisers, and his wife, Anisha, also works in fundraising for a leading research hospital. Service, philanthropy, and a commitment to mission driven work have long been central to their family life.

For 25 years, Chris served as a senior leader at CCS Fundraising, one of the nation’s largest and most successful fundraising consulting firms. In that role, he advised and supported hundreds of nonprofit organizations while partnering with thousands of nonprofit executives across the country. His work helped organizations raise billions of dollars in support of their missions.

Throughout his career, Chris has also contributed to the broader philanthropic community through leadership and board service with numerous organizations. His involvement has included roles with the AFP International Foundation for Philanthropy, AFP of Orange County, The Giving USA Foundation, the Giving Institute, Girls Inc. of Orange County, the Princeton Club of Orange County, The Salvation Army College for Officer Training, and Mariners Church.

After decades of working closely with nonprofit leaders as a consultant and advisor, Chris founded Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership to further invest in the growth and development of nonprofit executives. In addition to Fulcrum, he is the founder of The Five Tool Fundraiser and AltruList, two ventures dedicated to serving and strengthening the nonprofit sector.

Chris is also the author of three books: The Five Tool Fundraiser, 365 Nonprofit Leadership Lessons, and 365 Fundraising Truisms, all of which reflect his practical approach to leadership, fundraising, and nonprofit effectiveness.

Chris and Anisha live in Irvine, California with their three children. As a family, they are actively involved in their local public school district, community athletics through Little League, several charitable organizations, and Mariners Church.

Mansi Chokshi, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer

Mansi Chokshi is a mission driven leader whose career has been defined by a deep commitment to strengthening communities and advancing the nonprofit sector. Guided by a lifelong passion for service, she pursued her academic studies with that purpose in mind, earning a double major in Social Sciences and Sociology with a special emphasis on Public and Community Service.

Today, Mansi serves as Co Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership, where she plays a central role in shaping the organization’s strategy, operations, and growth. In this capacity, she works closely with nonprofit executives and sector leaders to strengthen leadership capacity, foster inclusive organizational cultures, and advance the effectiveness of mission driven organizations.

Mansi brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. Earlier in her career, she served as Regional Community Director for the global nonprofit Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), where she helped cultivate international networks, strengthen member engagement, and support the growth of a vibrant global professional community. She later served as Talent Strategy and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) leader at SCAN, a prominent nonprofit healthcare services organization, where she focused on advancing inclusive leadership practices and strengthening organizational culture.

Her commitment to service extends well beyond her professional work. Mansi is an active volunteer and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA). She is also the founder and a past board member of the US Women in Coffee Association, organizations dedicated to empowering women and expanding opportunity throughout the coffee industry.

Passionate about empowerment, collaboration, and community building, Mansi approaches challenges through a design thinking lens that prioritizes empathy, creativity, and practical solutions. Her work is grounded in a deep respect for people and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility.

Mansi lives in Southern California with her husband and their energetic nine year old daughter. Through her leadership and community engagement, she continues to champion meaningful change and help organizations build stronger, more inclusive futures.

Reach out here to connect with us.