About Next Stage
Next Stage was founded to ensure all nonprofit organizations in the Carolinas have access to affordable, high-quality services to help them “get to the next level.”
Led by Managing Director Josh Jacobson, Next Stage aims to be a cut above. Your nonprofit deserves customized services guided by strategists who are willing to roll up their sleeves and dig in to your needs.
Next Stage makes a lasting commitment to the organizations it serves, treating the working relationship as a partnership. We aspire to be a go-to resource for the long haul and are highly accountable in each new engagement.
We believe that engaging nonprofit counsel is a two-way street – the more both sides understand going in to the work, the more likely a positive outcome is for all.
Next Stage is committed to being a different kind of firm, as interested in designing unique solutions as working with you to see them implemented.
The Team
Josh Jacobson, CFRE, Managing Director
Josh Jacobson specializes in strategic positioning and tactical implementation, helping nonprofits develop the platform and tools necessary to support effective operations and fundraising activities.
Over the last 10+ years, Josh has directly managed engagements with more than 200 nonprofits. His expertise is in business planning, strategic planning, volunteer development, annual and capital fundraising, executive and development search, case strategy, and succession planning. As a consultant, Josh has worked in-depth with every nonprofit sector, bringing new ideas and approaches into every engagement.
Before relocating to NC, Josh worked in NYC – first as Senior Officer at The Juilliard School where he worked on the $150 million Campaign for Juilliard, and later as a Senior Resource Development Director with Manhattan Theatre Club on Broadway. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and an active member of the Charlotte chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) where he is Immediate Past President for 2019.
Caylin Haldeman, Director of CULTIVATE
Caylin Haldeman brings a background in philanthropy to her role with Next Stage. She joined Next Stage in 2017 and has made significant contributions to projects including Arts+, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy, Plaza Midwood Merchants, Sustain Charlotte, and many others. In addition to her work with clients, Caylin partnered with Josh to launch CULTIVATE, Next Stage’s incubator for emerging nonprofits, in early 2018. In August 2019, Caylin transitioned into the role of Director of CULTIVATE, making it her primary focus.
Before relocating to Charlotte, Caylin worked as a Program Associate with the GreenLight Fund, a philanthropic organization with roots in the venture capital community. Over more than four years, she supported the selection and launch of five high-performing national nonprofits in Philadelphia. Caylin received her BA in Urban Studies from Bryn Mawr College and spent her freshman year in Costa Rica, where she researched the role of gender in community development while working for the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation.
Caylin is part of the Charlotte hub of Global Shapers and uses her free time to volunteer with local nonprofits and explore the world through books and travel. She lives in Fourth Ward with her partner and two dogs.
John Mackay, Senior Consultant
John Mackay is a consultant to science centers having previously served as President and CEO of Discovery Place, Inc., a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2013. Prior to serving as President and CEO, he served as Vice President of Planning Research and Development, and oversaw the Phase II expansion of Discovery Place, including the addition of the Michael J. Smith Wing and The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre.
Prior to returning to Charlotte, John also directed the construction and opening of the McWane Center/Discovery 2000, Inc. Science and Technology Museum in Birmingham, Alabama as its founding President and CEO. John has deep expertise with positioning science centers as projects deserving of community and business support, and is well-respected for his strategic vision and leadership. His network stretches across the country and internationally through leadership roles with a number of professional associations including the Association of Science Technology Centers. He received a B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an M.A. in Biology from Appalachian State University.
Janet Ervin, Consultant
Janet Ervin brings a depth of experience in strategic positioning, brand development and communications to her role as a Consultant at Next Stage.
Prior to joining the team in October 2019, Janet spent more than 13 years working with Charlotte-based nonprofit organizations, including the 24 Foundation (formally 24 Hours of Booty). Her expertise includes strategic planning, brand development, fundraising, grant writing, marketing and communications, volunteer development and organizational culture. She also has experience in the corporate sector, including the development of social responsibility and impact strategy and programs. She is passionate about bringing new ideas to the nonprofit sector and making sure that every client is positioned for success.
A North Carolina native and graduate of Appalachian State University, Janet spends her time outside of work volunteering with several nonprofits focused on children and students. She lives in Charlotte with her family, a dog and four chickens.
Tanya Varanelli, Project Manager
Tanya Varanelli joins Next Stage as a Project Manager with a background in nonprofit recruitment and search operations. She is focused on sourcing talented leaders for Charlotte’s thriving nonprofit community.
Tanya spent several years working for Koya Leadership Partners, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, where she recently served as Director of Research and Special Projects. Prior to joining Koya, Tanya was Associate Director of Recruitment at The Broad Center, where she helped recruit and train executive leadership talent to become urban school district leaders. Tanya’s previous recruiting experience includes positions with DIRECTV, and Bain & Company.
Tanya is a member of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits and volunteers with nonprofits focused on healthcare advocacy and environmental issues. Tanya holds a B.A. in Human Development/Organizational Studies and Human Resources Management from Boston College. She lives in Huntersville with her family.
Taylor Gardner, Client Coordinator
Taylor Gardner provides project and social media support in her role as Client Coordinator. Taylor joined the Next Stage team in 2018 with a background in social media management and content creation with a wide variety of industries. In addition to providing research and scheduling support for Next Stage’s client partnerships, Taylor also coordinates the firm’s social media and thought leadership activities.
Taylor is originally from Maryland where she received her BA in Mass Communications from Towson University. Among her professional experiences includes a stint in content coordinator with Salsa Labs where she became more familiar with the CRM needs of nonprofit organizations. She has been involved in a number of causes, providing marketing support for efforts like KnowYourStrong.org and Young, Black & Giving Back.