Your Search Team
Meet The Yunker Group
The Yunker Group, founded in 1995 as Smith Beers Yunker & Company, has built a reputation of providing personalized counsel to nonprofits – volunteer board leaders and executives – solving management, fundraising and search challenges. Still serving the nine nonprofit philanthropic sectors, the consultancy is now focused exclusively on search and volunteer coaching.
Not only can you rely on our experienced and knowledgeable team, but you will reap the benefits of a network of resources built and maintained over thirty years and counting.
The Yunker Group is built on a foundation of ethical practices, as attested by testimonials of board and search committees available by clicking on the button below.
James D. Yunker, EdD
Founder
Jim Yunker brings a 360-degree perspective to the nonprofit clients he serves — as volunteer, donor, committee member, board chair, CEO, teacher, parent, consultant, and business owner. In 1995, he founded The Yunker Group, Inc., guiding organizations nationwide and abroad in executive searches, fundraising, leadership development, and strategic volunteer engagement across all nine charitable sectors. The firm remains grounded on its founding mission of Helping Others Make A Difference®
A Ball State University graduate in journalism and public relations, Jim earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Indiana University–Bloomington. He has been honored nationally with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award by the IU Center for Philanthropy (now The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy) and recognized by Sigma Chi Fraternity as a Significant Sig. Locally, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and awarded the PTA’s Friend of Children distinction.
A committed volunteer leader, Jim has served as president of the Cincinnati Rotary Club Foundation and board chairs of Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, the Giving USA Foundation and Pro Seniors. He is a founding director of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel and a founding partner of Social Venture Partners–Cincinnati.
Jim and his wife live in Anderson Township, Ohio, and are proud parents of two Ohio University alumni.
Jody A. Duckwall
Director of Operations
In 2000, fresh from earning her master’s degree in education from Xavier University, Jody Ader joined Smith Beers Yunker & Company as a true “jack of all trades,” coordinating client projects and serving as de facto chief of staff. Staff and board leaders of client organizations quickly came to appreciate her unflappable demeanor, warm personality, and meticulous attention to detail.
After five years with us, Jody gained a new last name—Duckwall—and redirected her well-honed organizational skills to her growing family. Her Xavier sports management training proved equally valuable in managing the lively Duckwall household, home to three very active sons.
Without missing a beat, Jody returned in 2022 to lead all operational aspects of the firm’s searches, once again earning kudos from candidates, references, search committee leaders, and client staff for her efficiency, professionalism, and gracious style.
A Centre College alumna with a BA in government, Jody is no stranger to sports—though none of her sons have caught her passion for soccer. At Centre, she was co-captain of the women’s varsity soccer team and held leadership roles in her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.