Shifting Industries: From Corporate to Philanthropy
Dear Diary,
Today’s entry focuses on aligning one’s mission to their work. In this moment, before reading further, ask yourself – “Am I working within my mission? Does this work make me feel part of a community or a larger vision?” These are loaded questions and I am grateful to Conner Phillips, Chief Operating Officer at Capital Development Service (CapDev), a full-service consulting firm to nonprofits that provides campaign consulting, executive search, feasibility studies, candidate sourcing, and more, for sharing his journey and how a new found mission in life helped him shift industries.
Q: Conner, can you share with readers your career journey thus far?
Conner: Yes, I’d be happy to share. I grew up on a small farm just outside Winston-Salem, NC, in a rural suburb where I learned early on the value of hard work and community. I went on to study at NC State University in Raleigh, where I earned degrees in Supply Chain and Environmental Technologies & Management.
After graduating, I returned home and joined Hanes Geo Components, a subsidiary of Leggett & Platt, as a Product Manager. It was an incredible experience; I had the chance to work alongside a dynamic team and collaborate with vendors from around the world. That’s where I discovered one of my greatest passions: connecting with people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a shared goal. Making the world a better place was always at the heart of it—and if we could make a little money along the way, that was just a bonus.
What made that role especially fulfilling was the level of ownership I was given. I was trusted to lead the success and strategy of my product line, which gave me a holistic view of how a business runs. That experience helped shape my customer-centric approach to operations, something that I carried with me into my next chapter.
In late 2023, I had the opportunity to join the team at Capital Development Services (CapDev) as Chief Operating Officer. CapDev is a family-owned firm that has spent over 40 years helping nonprofits across the Southeast thrive. We support mission-driven organizations by building sustainable, inclusive fundraising programs and connecting them with exceptional leaders through our development, campaign, and executive search services.
This role has allowed me to take everything I learned in the corporate world and apply it in a space where impact is measured by lives changed and communities strengthened. I now have the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds and industries, all united by the same goal: to make the world a better place.
I’m proud to be at CapDev, and I see myself here for a long time.
Q: When did you know you wanted to switch industries? How did you come to this decision?
Conner: My experience at Hanes Geo was truly fantastic. I have nothing but positive things to say about the team and leadership; they gave me every opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my career.
As I approached my five-year mark, I started to feel a shift. I’d find myself lying awake at night, turning over work-related problems in my head—strategizing how to navigate market dynamics, stay ahead of the competition, and implement new technologies that could streamline operations, cut costs, and reduce our environmental footprint. I loved that challenge. But alongside all of that, I kept coming back to one question I couldn’t shake: Can I be doing more to make a positive impact on my community and help those who are less fortunate?
Eventually, I realized the answer was yes.
That’s when I began exploring opportunities beyond my industry. In roles where I could apply the skills I’d developed while working toward something that felt more directly tied to service and mission. That search led me to CapDev. It offered the chance to do meaningful work that aligned with my values while still supporting my family. Once I was offered the position, the decision came easily, and it’s one I haven’t regretted for a second.
That said, telling my team at HanesGeo was bittersweet. They had become more than just colleagues; they were my mentors, friends, and collaborators who helped shape the professional I am today. Leaving wasn’t easy, but I knew I was stepping into something that aligned more closely with where I wanted to grow next.
Q: What does philanthropy mean to you? What is something you have learned so far about people, missions, and nonprofits?
Conner: I’ve been incredibly lucky to have had some amazing role models in my life, my grandad being one of the most influential. From a young age, he taught me the value of being involved in your community and the belief that giving back to others isn’t just a responsibility; it’s a privilege. Not everyone is in a position to help, and for those of us who are, it’s a unique and powerful opportunity. That mindset stuck with me, and I’ve always tried to stay engaged with my community and look out for those who may need a hand.
Since stepping into the philanthropic world in a full-time role, my understanding of what philanthropy means has grown and evolved—while still being rooted in those early lessons. I’ve come to see that true philanthropy isn’t just about donating your time, resources, or expertise. It’s about creating real, lasting change. It’s about working collaboratively and strategically toward systemic solutions that align with a shared vision; one that lifts up organizations, creates opportunities, and brings about long-term impact that might not have existed otherwise.
Through my time at CapDev, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside and learning from incredible people and powerful missions. That experience has reinforced something I believe deep down: there’s still so much good in the world. And more often than not, we’re not all that different from one another. When we take the time to truly listen—to meet people with empathy and curiosity—we realize just how much common ground we share.
At the end of the day, I think most of us just want to feel like our time here mattered. Maybe not in some headline-grabbing way, but in how we showed up for others, in the relationships we built, and the quiet ways we made life better for someone else. Everyone brings a different background, a different lens, and a different sense of what matters most—but if we lead with respect, authenticity, and a willingness to understand each other, I really believe we can create meaningful change. Even if it’s just one small step at a time.
Q: In your current position do you feel like you are making an impact?
Conner: Absolutely, at CapDev we have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients across different subsectors of the nonprofit industry. That variety not only includes the subsectors like education, health, human services, etc., but also the size and degree of fundraising expertise of each organization. Some organizations are already operating at a very high level, others have never raised a dollar from private philanthropy. At CapDev, our goal is to bring your organization to the next level in their fundraising journey, be it executing a large-scale comprehensive campaign, or creating a development office from scratch. We try to work our way out of a job, providing our partners with all the tools they need to continue advancing their development program further, in turn, providing them with more connections and resources to help advance their mission forward. With more resources, that means our partners have the ability to make a greater impact, which we truly feel we help them achieve. At CapDev, I get to see the growth of this impact day in and day out, something I did not feel as strongly at Hanes.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is deciding on transitioning into this philanthropy field? What would you say to someone interested in joining the corporate industry?
Conner: Great question, the corporate world and the philanthropy or nonprofit field are different in many ways but also have more in common than people realize.
If you're making the leap from the corporate world into philanthropy, one of the best things you can bring with you is a sense of openness—and a genuine willingness to listen. Really listen. In the corporate space, success is often straightforward: you’ve got your metrics, KPIs, and quarterly targets. You can usually measure progress in dollars, percentages, and deadlines.
But in the nonprofit world, success often looks and feels different. It’s more nuanced. Progress might take longer, and the wins aren’t always immediate or measurable on a spreadsheet. Sometimes success shows up in a child who now has access to a safe place to learn, a family with a roof over their heads, or a community coming together around something meaningful (like the flooding in Asheville). It’s those human moments, the kind that don’t fit neatly into a dashboard—that remind you why the work matters. And when you do reach those milestones, the feeling hits differently. It’s deeper. It stays with you. In philanthropy, success isn’t just about results; it’s about impact. And that kind of fulfillment can be far more powerful than any cost savings or record-breaking quarter. Patience and adaptability are key. Take the time to build authentic relationships within the organization and in the community—relationships that can become foundational and even lifelong. Be curious, be humble, and be generous with your experience.
One important reminder: Don’t hesitate to bring your perspective, skills, and tools from the corporate world. Whether it’s software, project management techniques, or data-driven decision-making, these contributions can be incredibly valuable. The nonprofit sector often lags behind in adopting new technologies and business practices, not usually for lack of interest, but due to limited resources and bandwidth. Your fresh perspective can help bridge that gap, especially when shared early, while your insight into both worlds is sharpest. Ultimately, this kind of cross-sector experience can lead to meaningful change for both the organization and the communities it serves.
For someone who is considering entering the corporate industry, it’s important to remember a few things.
First and foremost, relationships remain one of the most critical elements of success—just as they are in the philanthropic world. The ability to cultivate meaningful connections with colleagues, vendor-partners, and even competitors can be just as valuable, if not more so, than any technical skill. These relationships often serve as the foundation for navigating complex environments and volatile markets, providing stability, insight, and opportunity.
That said, it’s important to recognize that the corporate world operates at a faster pace, with higher expectations and significantly less tolerance for repeated mistakes. The stakes are often higher, and decisions tend to be evaluated through a different lens than in the nonprofit sector. While both aim to create positive impact, corporate leadership is frequently focused on delivering the greatest return on investment for shareholders—both in the short and near term. This focus heavily influences how ideas, proposals, and financial performance are assessed.
Still, at the heart of it, people in any sector want to make a meaningful impact—to contribute to progress, drive innovation, and move their organization forward. As you transition into or explore corporate roles, it’s essential to stay grounded in what matters most to you. The corporate world can offer incredible opportunities for personal growth, financial freedom, and long-term stability—benefits that can have a lasting and transformative effect on you and your family.
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Conner, thank you for your openness, advice, and vulnerability as you shared your story. Readers, I hope by learning from Conner you feel strengthened as you decide to follow your heart’s mission and shift.
Until next time,
May 15th!
Art Credit: LeNia Stitt
