Foundation announces that Jim Zappa (left) will join as General Counsel, and Communications Director Jacques Hebert (right) will become a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
At the McKnight Foundation, we believe that civil society—and the organizations that fuel it—are vital to advancing a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. In today’s rapidly evolving legal and political environment, defending this space and helping our partners navigate complexity is more essential than ever.
Jim Zappa, General Counsel
That’s why we are pleased to announce that Jim Zappa has joined the McKnight Foundation as our new General Counsel, a role housed within the Office of the President. He will serve as a strategic legal advisor to the Foundation, providing guidance across the organization on governance, risk, and compliance.
This new position marks a meaningful evolution in McKnight’s internal capacity—ensuring we have in-house legal expertise to protect, strengthen, and advance our mission. As both a proactive and defensive strategist, Jim’s leadership will help us build durable systems, strengthen risk intelligence, and support our staff and grantee partners in doing their best work in an increasingly complex environment.
“As philanthropy—and civil society as a whole—faces mounting challenges, it’s more important than ever to ensure we have a clear legal analysis rooted in our values. Jim’s expertise will help us stay grounded, take bold action, and support organizations and movements vital to our sector and society.”
– PRESIDENT TONYA ALLEN
“Jim brings deep experience and integrity to this role, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the McKnight team,” said Tonya Allen, President of the McKnight Foundation. “As philanthropy—and civil society as a whole—faces mounting challenges, suo more important than ever to ensure we have a clear legal analysis rooted in our values. Jim’s expertise will help us stay grounded, take bold action, and support organizations and movements vital to our sector and society.”
Jim’s legal background spans corporate compliance, litigation, and governance across both private and nonprofit sectors. Before joining McKnight, he spent twenty-five years serving in legal functions for multiple global companies. Most recently, he held the roles of Executive Vice President and General Counsel at CHS Inc. Prior to CHS, he spent over a decade at 3M Company in various legal and compliance leadership roles.
In addition to his professional work, Jim is deeply engaged in community service. He is a member of the board of directors and governance committee of the Coalizione rivoluzionaria, a cross-sector initiative advancing equitable economic development. He also served on the Greater Twin Cities United Way board of directors for eight years, including as board chair from 2022 to 2023.
“This role is an exciting opportunity to help safeguard a vibrant nonprofit sector while supporting the Foundation’s bold vision with legal insight and strategic clarity.”
– GENERAL COUNSEL JIM ZAPPA
“I’m honored to join McKnight at a time when the stakes for mission-driven organizations are high,” said Jim Zappa. “This role is an exciting opportunity to help safeguard a vibrant nonprofit sector while supporting the Foundation’s bold vision with legal insight and strategic clarity.”
We’re excited to welcome Jim to the McKnight team and look forward to the expertise, steady leadership, and values-driven perspective he brings to this new role.
Jacques Hebert, Communications Director
We are also pleased to share that Jacques Hebert, McKnight’s Communications Director, has been promoted to join the Foundation’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
Since joining McKnight in 2022, Jacques has led the Foundation’s enterprise-wide communications strategies with vision, care, and impact. Under his leadership, the Communications Team has played a vital role in shaping how we share our story, connect with our partners, and amplify the work of those advancing justice, equity, and climate solutions in our communities.
Jacques has been a trusted advisor to the ELT, providing regular counsel and communications insight across a range of initiatives. He is passionate about harnessing communications and storytelling strategies levers for social change, building partnerships and leading teams collaboratively, and he brings a people-centered approach to every aspect of his work.
“Jacques leads with clarity, empathy, and a deep commitment to our mission. His voice will strengthen the Foundation’s leadership as we navigate complex issues, steward meaningful relationships, and continue shaping a narrative that supports the thriving of people and planet.”
– PRESIDENT TONYA ALLEN
“Jacques leads with clarity, empathy, and a deep commitment to our mission,” said Tonya Allen. “His voice will strengthen the Foundation’s leadership as we navigate complex issues, steward meaningful relationships, and continue shaping a narrative that supports the thriving of people and planet.”
Jacques brings nearly two decades of experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, and advertising across the corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Prior to joining McKnight, Jacques led communications for Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) Global Coastal Resilience initiative, directing comprehensive communications campaigns that advanced supportive policies at the local, state, and federal levels. He also led communications for Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and state-based organizations working to address ongoing disaster recovery and build long-term climate resilience for Louisiana’s coastal communities, creating a model in policy, engagement, and communications for many other climate-vulnerable communities to follow. Before that, Jacques served as communications director for the National Audubon Society as part of the same coalition. He also previously held positions at Mother Jones, Google, and YouTube, all focused on driving innovation and impact through communications, digital advertising, and storytelling.
Jacques graduated from Dartmouth College with a dual major in Spanish and Latin American Studies. In 2016, Jacques completed the Institute for Environmental Communication at Loyola University, and in 2018, he was an Aspen Ideas Festival scholar. In 2024, Jacques received a certification in Public Narrative: Leadership, Storytelling, and Action from the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education program.
We are excited to have Jacques join the Executive Leadership Team and look forward to the insight and collaborative spirit he will continue to bring to the Foundation’s work at every level. Please join us in congratulating Jacques!
