Candidate Biography

Joshua Knudson

Josh is a nonprofit executive and advancement leader with more than 25 years of experience across arts and higher education. He specializes in leading external relations strategy, integrating development, marketing, and communications, and executing multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns that strengthen organizational sustainability and community impact. Most recently, he served as CEO of Management & Operations at Tacoma Arts Live, where he co-led the organization through a period of significant financial and operational transition—overseeing a $4.5M budget, restructuring systems and staffing, activating the historic Tacoma Armory as an innovative performance venue, and securing critical funding and partnerships to extend the organization’s viability.

Previously, as Chief Advancement Officer at Tacoma Arts Live and Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Washington Tacoma, Josh led comprehensive advancement efforts including campaign strategy, donor engagement, government relations, and brand positioning. He directed UW Tacoma’s portion of the Be Boundless Campaign, surpassing fundraising goals and significantly increasing donor participation and major gifts. He is also the founder of Advancement Enterprises, a consultancy focused on helping organizations navigate change and align advancement strategy across functions. Known for his collaborative and candid leadership style, Josh coaches teams to build trust, navigate complexity, and align around mission-driven outcomes with care, accountability, and creativity.