As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the American Endowment Foundation (AEF), Steve Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic oversight to the organization’s operational and financial frameworks.
Since serving on AEF’s board in 2016, joining its executive team in 2018, and stepping into the role of interim president in 2023, Steve’s leadership has been instrumental in steering AEF through its ambitious goals.
With a career spanning over 25 years in senior leadership both in the private sector and non-profit organizations, Steve’s extensive background includes pivotal roles at the national accounting firm of Touche Ross (now Deloitte) in Louisville, Kentucky. Here, he honed his expertise in auditing and accounting, primarily serving clients in the nonprofit, manufacturing, and distribution sectors.
Steve’s tenure as President and CFO of Cambridge Educational, an educational publisher, marked a period of significant growth, with the company tripling in size under his leadership before its acquisition by a publicly held New York company. This achievement underscores Steve’s capability in scaling operations and navigating companies through pivotal transitions.
Further enriching his portfolio, Steve ventured into the nonprofit sector, specifically higher education, where he dedicated 15 years as the CFO for West Virginia Wesleyan College and Hiram College. His contributions in these roles have been pivotal in shaping the financial strategies of the institutions, ensuring their sustainability and growth.
A proud graduate of Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Steve’s educational background lays the foundation for his deep understanding of financial principles and strategic leadership.
Steve’s commitment to excellence and financial expertise continues to help AEF expand philanthropy. Under his oversight, AEF continues to excel as one of the nation’s largest independent donor-advised fund sponsors,