Zena Lum

Zena Lum, Director of Development, Major Gifts at the Harvard Kennedy School, is the Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Lindauer. Prior to her role at HKS, Zena served as a senior search consultant at Lindauer for more than nine years. As senior advisor for DEI, Zena ensures that Lindauer sustains, enhances, and continues to activate its leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion across nonprofit leadership and advancement. Building on Lindauer’s longstanding position as the nation’s No. 1 firm for advancement search, the company is committed to leveraging its growth to influence hiring, retention, and professional advancement of BIPOC individuals across broader segments of administrative and leadership roles.

A sought-after panelist and facilitator for her intersectional experience in the field, Zena has presented for African American Development Officers Network (AADO), AFP Massachusetts, CASE Multicultural Advancement Professionals, Grant Professionals Association – New England Chapter, Women in Development (WID), Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WŌC), and YW Boston. She co-chaired the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for WID Greater Boston, serves as an Advisory Committee member for WŌC, and is a LeadBoston Alumni Ambassador. She is an engaged member of her community, volunteering with ARCK, Artisan’s Asylum, and United South End Settlements. Zena also serves as the consulting Executive Director for the Boston Latin Academy Association, the fundraising arm for Boston Latin Academy, a BPS exam school.

With more than 25 years dedicated to mission-driven organizations, Zena has directly raised tens of millions of dollars for leading organizations in Boston, such as WGBH, Jumpstart for Young Children, and New England Aquarium. Prior to joining Lindauer, Zena served as the Director of Institutional Advancement for Boston Public Schools. As a recruiter, Zena has placed development leaders across the country and across the sector who have collectively raised hundreds of millions more to advance education, the arts, healthcare, and social and environmental justice. While mission is her North Star, successful navigation is predicated on her strengths in building genuine relationships and the ability to see connections and commonalities that lead to high-impact matchmaking in fundraising, recruiting, and talent management.

Zena has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Georgetown University.