The PM Podcast: Vocation - A Conversation with Jeremy Wells

Released on May 12, 2025 | Hosted by Jay Frost | Produced by Jack Frost | Powered by DonorSearch

Introduction

In this episode of The PM Podcast, host Jay Frost engages in an insightful conversation with Jeremy Wells, the Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation. With over 25 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, Jeremy has been pivotal in advancing equity and community-led solutions through philanthropy. Recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Jeremy shares his journey, insights, and the profound impact of mentorship and vocation in his career.

Early Career and Discovery of Vocation

Jeremy Wells begins by reflecting on his early career moments that shaped his understanding of vocation. At Augsburg University, where he served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement, he was influenced by Dr. Paul Privanow's definition of vocation:

"Vocation is where your deep passion meets the world's deep need." (00:00)

Jeremy resonated deeply with this concept, realizing that his daily work allowed him to live out this intersection of passion and need. His journey in nonprofit fundraising began almost serendipitously during his senior year of college, initially intending to pursue clinical psychology.

"I started in the development office on Monday. I'm one of those rare few that have only ever done nonprofit fundraising my entire career." (04:46)

Mentorship and Relationship Building

A recurring theme in Jeremy's career is the importance of mentorship and building genuine relationships. He credits early mentors like John Holman and Tim Burchell for shaping his approach to fundraising as a relationship-based profession.

"Jeremy is about relationships. He wants to get to know you, what you're passionate about, what you're interested in." (06:55)

Jeremy emphasizes that mentorship extends beyond professional guidance; it's about fostering a culture where team members support each other's growth and success.

"The number of people that I've been able to mentor and see them find success in their careers and in their lives is just as gratifying as anything I've done personally throughout my career." (07:34)

Defining Vocation and Personal Values

Central to Jeremy's philosophy is the concept of vocation. Inspired by Dr. Privanow's articulation, Jeremy defines his work as practicing his vocation daily by aligning meaningful wealth in society with deep community needs.

"I get to practice my vocation day in and day out, living at this intersection of meaningful wealth in our society and real, deep community need." (09:37)

This alignment of personal passion with societal need drives Jeremy's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within his organization.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of our organization... If the organization is not embracing that, that's not the organization for me." (23:22)

Career Milestones and Transitions

Jeremy's career is marked by strategic moves that have allowed him to grow both professionally and personally. From his early days at St. Mary's University, where he quickly ascended from Alumni Relations Director to Vice President, to his pivotal role at Augsburg College during the 2008 economic crisis, Jeremy has demonstrated resilience and adaptability.

During a significant presidential transition at St. Mary's, Jeremy contemplated his next move to ensure stability for his young family. This decision led him to Augsburg College, where under Dr. Paul Pribenow's leadership, he navigated the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis by launching a successful capital campaign.

"We launched a capital campaign on January 1st, 2008, and I learned so much from Paul. I had the ability to build a larger team, about 45 staff, and a transformative campaign." (14:04)

Personal Growth and Work-Life Balance

Jeremy candidly discusses the personal challenges he faced, including a divorce and the need to prioritize his family's well-being. Embracing insights from Jack Floyd's "The Centered Life," Jeremy shifted his focus from seeking balance to finding what centers him—his faith and family.

"Balance is a fallacy... you need to find what centers you as a person and lean into those things." (28:44)

This shift allowed Jeremy to remain present for his children while continuing to excel in his professional role, ultimately leading him to the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation.

Philanthropy: A Life Interwoven with Purpose

Philanthropy is not just Jeremy's profession but a fundamental aspect of his life. He and his wife actively volunteer and support various organizations, serving on multiple nonprofit boards and leading significant campaigns.

"Philanthropy is central to everything I do... It's embedded enough, like when you pour the sand together, you can't ever separate all the grains anymore." (34:48)

Jeremy's dedication to philanthropy is deeply influenced by his upbringing, observing his parents' generous contributions and integrating those values into his career and personal life.

Reflections and Future Aspirations

As Jeremy approaches his 13th anniversary at the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, he takes pride in fostering a supportive and enduring team culture. With his children now older and more independent, Jeremy contemplates exploring new opportunities to add breadth or depth to his work in philanthropy.

"I'm entering this next stage of my life... adding breadth or depth to my work in different ways certainly has some appeal." (33:52)

Jeremy remains committed to his core values of DEI and relationship-building, ensuring that his future endeavors continue to align with his vocation.

Conclusion

Jeremy Wells' journey in philanthropic services exemplifies the profound impact of aligning personal passion with societal needs. Through mentorship, unwavering commitment to core values, and balancing personal challenges, Jeremy has not only advanced his career but also fostered meaningful change within the communities he serves. His story serves as an inspiration for leaders and changemakers dedicated to making a real impact through philanthropy.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeremy Wells (00:00):

  "Vocation is where your deep passion meets the world's deep need."

• Jeremy Wells (06:55):

  "Jeremy is about relationships. He wants to get to know you, what you're passionate about, what you're interested in."

• Jeremy Wells (09:37):

  "I get to practice my vocation day in and day out, living at this intersection of meaningful wealth in our society and real, deep community need."

• Jeremy Wells (23:22):

  "Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of our organization... If the organization is not embracing that, that's not the organization for me."

• Jeremy Wells (28:44):

  "Balance is a fallacy... you need to find what centers you as a person and lean into those things."

• Jeremy Wells (34:48):

  "Philanthropy is central to everything I do... It's embedded enough, like when you pour the sand together, you can't ever separate all the grains anymore."

Timestamp Reference:

Each quote above references a specific point in the transcript, indicated in brackets as MM:SS, corresponding to the minute and second mark in the podcast.