The Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) program recently welcomed Phil Lussier, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York, as a speaker in its monthly Program Director’s Lunch and Learn webinar series.
This series, hosted by Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., professor of practice and director of the NOPM program, features prominent nonprofit leaders who share career insights with students, faculty, and alumni regarding the nonprofit landscape. This installment in the series focused on careers in nonprofit and philanthropy spaces and how these spaces may shift and change in the near future.
“The goal of this series is to introduce leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropy space, not just to our students and alums, but also to prospective students and those who are interested in the work we do at the University and in the world,” said Dr. Smikle. “Given everything that nonprofits are experiencing now in particular, it’s certainly a good opportunity to ask our leaders questions about how to move forward.”
Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. From visits to Disneyland to see Mickey Mouse to singing the national anthem at Fenway Park, the foundation creates unforgettable experiences for children facing extraordinary circumstances. Lussier discussed nonprofit operations, including risk management, social media, community relations, and strategic planning. He also shared what he believes to be the fundamental elements that make Make-A-Wish a successful organization.
“When I think about Make-A-Wish, we really have two assets: We have a gold-plated brand, and we have people. We have our people,” Lussier said, emphasizing the foundation’s strong focus on community, both internally and externally.
Beyond his extensive career and experiences in the financial services industry as a previous principal of Crow Point Partners and chairman and CEO of CitiStreet, Lussier has a multitude of experiences and credentials for his role at Make-A-Wish. As a longtime board member and a “Make-A-Wish Dad” himself, Lussier understands the importance of the mission, how the organization is functionally able to fulfill promises made to donors, and the similarities between running a nonprofit company and running for-profit ones.
“I think of our donors as investors,” Lussier said. “They’re investing in our mission, and we have an obligation to manage our business as a business. We have transparency, and we have all the fiduciary responsibility and care that a for-profit company has. We owe it to people who trust us with their money to deliver on our mission at a very high level, and we endeavor to do that every day.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has changed the lives of many—not just the children whose wishes were granted but also their families and loved ones. Through his extraordinary work, Lussier strives to grant every eligible child’s wish, regardless of how unattainable the dream may seem. Attendees took away valuable lessons about the importance of mission-driven organizations, how to fulfill donor expectations, and what factors make nonprofits both successful and meaningful.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, health care, and the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
The fall 2025 final application deadline for the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program is June 1. The program is available part-time, full-time, on campus, and online. Learn more here.
