Blog

CAP Expands Philanthropy Team

CAP announced the appointment of Doug Walker as Vice President of Philanthropy, expanding its leadership team and positioning the organization for continued strategic growth. Walker started in his new role on September 5, 2023. In addition, CAP welcomed Jessie Brabender into her new position as Director of Leadership Giving on October 2.

As Vice President of Philanthropy, Walker leads the organization’s fundraising initiatives. He will further strengthen CAP’s impact on children’s lives and the greater good of the Jacksonville community by encouraging and celebrating CAP donors’ generous investment of financial resources and service.

“CAP’s team continues to grow stronger and stronger, and with the addition of Doug Walker I can’t wait to see what lies ahead as we move forward in our mission to empower every child’s creative spirit,” said CAP President and CEO Rev. Kimberly Hyatt.

For more than two decades, Walker has served in the field of education and held senior administrative positions in independent schools, where he led large and small teams in student services, admissions and marketing, human resources and institutional advancement. Following a 12-year tenure at The Bolles School that spanned various positions, including Associate Head of School, Walker served as the Director of Institutional Advancement at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, where he led all fundraising initiatives for eight years. In addition, he held the position of the Bishop’s Deputy for Advancement and Stewardship for nine years at the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. Most recently, Walker served as the Director of Advancement at Riverside Presbyterian Day School (RPDS). His responsibilities there included leading the school’s fundraising efforts and the launch of the groundbreaking Cornerstone Capital Campaign.

“I am honored to join CAP’s leadership team and engage in a successful collaboration with the Board to lead and strengthen a culture of philanthropy at CAP,” said Walker. “I am also grateful to Kimberly Hyatt for her trust in me and for providing me this opportunity to help further advance CAP’s important mission.”

Jessie Brabender joined the CAP team on October 2 as Director of Leadership Giving. In her new role, she will develop and guide CAP’s leadership donor program, support the Golf Committee volunteers in their planning activities, and secure important sponsorships for CAP’s annual Golf Tournament and Spring for the Arts.

Jessie came to CAP from the Flagler Health Care Foundation, where she first served as the Annual Giving Manager and was subsequently promoted to Development Director. Prior to these fund development roles at Flager Health Care, Jessie was a member of the development team at Flagler College, leading the annual giving program. Jessie received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Colorado College, where she participated in the institution’s annual fund phonathon appeal, supervising a team of student employees who achieved record-breaking goals.

“I am thrilled to become the newest addition to the philanthropy team. Having been inspired by CAP’s impactful work for a while now, I can’t wait to collaborate with the team and contribute to CAP’s wonderful mission,” said Brabender.

September 5, 2023

For media inquiries, please contact media@capkids.org.

Musical theatre isn’t just fun and games. As this #CAPkid explains, it’s ‘way more work and it’s way more important.’ Theatre education allows students to gain essential skills like creative thinking, perseverance, teamwork and self-discipline, building the confidence and character they need to excel. Just don’t forget to read your lines please, read your lines! 🎭🥰#theartsaddup #capkidsjax
Arts education creates tomorrow's leaders. It enhances the creative capacity of young people and empowers them to analyze, innovate, create and lead. For more information about our programs visit capkids.org. #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax @duvalcountyschools
Transforming lives through art: The Cathedral Arts Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of arts education and therapeutic programs for children and young adults in Northeast Florida. Visit link in bio to learn more! #capkidsjax
Donors like you allow CAP to ensure all students in Northeast Florida have access to a quality arts education. 

Your gift will help support CAP's summer programs and prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. CAP staff and volunteers are gathering  supplies, ordering youth-size T-shirts and hiring exceptional teaching artists to ensure local students have everything they need to dance, sing, play and create from day one!

Will you join us in reimagining what’s possible for arts education? Donate today at our link in bio. 💜
Last chance to visit CAP’s Visual Arts Showcase at the Alexander Brest Gallery through June 4! It’s a truly spectacular exhibition of over 250 artworks created by CAP students throughout the year. Showcase is the ultimate finale and this exhibition aims to inspire a sense of pride and joy, instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts and celebrate every child’s creative spirit. Don’t miss it! #CAPkidsjax #theartsaddup
CAP’s Annual Visual Arts Showcase Reception this morning was a huge success! Congratulations to the student artists, their teaching artist fellows and teaching artists for the incredible display of creativity and inspiration! You have until June 4 to visit. Click here for more info capkids.org/visual-arts-showcase-2025/ 
#TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax 🎉🎨
It’s imperative to hear about the impact of our programs directly from our students! CAP’s vision is for Northeast Florida to lead the nation in providing essential arts education that recognizes, grows and amplifies every child’s unique skills and strengths. capkids.org ⭐️ #TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax
It's teacher appreciation week and we are all excited to celebrate our amazing CAP Teaching Artist Fellows, Teaching Artists, teaching assistants and classroom partners! 

Through CAP programs, children and young adults in NE Florida, across various educational settings receive quality, standards-based instruction in dance, music, theatre and visual arts. CAP also provides specialized programs designed for students with disabilities, including art counseling, music therapy and sensory arts. 

None of this would occur without the passion and dedication of our exemplary CAP teaching artists. We'd like to send them all a deep and resounding thank you, for the important work they do every day to empower each and every child’s creative spirit! #ThankATeacher #TheArtsAddUp
The first show of the Performing Arts Showcase 2025 is a wrap! Thank you to everyone who has supported our incredible performers this year -- no matter how you choose to show that support. None of this would be possible without you! #capkidsjax #artsed #theartsaddup
Performing Arts Showcase rehearsals are in progress here at the @jaxperformingartscenter! We're amazed at the dedication and talent on display this morning. Which performance are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments! #theartsaddup #artsed #showtime
Our mission is to inspire every child's creative spirit! #CAPkidsjax #TheArtsAddUp #artsed #strings
Every heart needs art! Happy Valentines Day❤️
#TheArtsAddUp #CAPkidsjax #artsed

JOIN THE CAP MAILING LIST