08 Sep Spokenote Accelerates Growth Strategy with Appointment of Industry Veteran Steve Johns
Spokenote Accelerates Growth Strategy with Appointment of Industry Veteran Steve Johns
Former OneCause CEO joins as Executive Advisor as award-winning video engagement company prepares for next phase of expansion
Spokenote, the award-winning personalized video engagement platform serving nonprofits, higher education institutions, associations, and leading consumer brands, today announced that Steve Johns, former CEO of nonprofit technology leader OneCause, has joined the company as Executive Advisor to the Board of Directors.
Johns’s appointment coincides with a period of growth for Spokenote as it scales its operations, market presence, and positioning.
Johns will work closely with Spokenote founder John Wechsler and the Board of Directors to strengthen organizational infrastructure, enhance operational execution, and guide long-term growth initiatives as demand for personalized video engagement continues to increase across mission-driven organizations.
“Over the past several years, we’ve proven that personalized video has the power to transform engagement, fundraising, enrollment, and communication outcomes,” Wechsler said. “We’re now entering a new chapter focused on scale. Bringing Steve into the organization shows our commitment to building a leadership team capable of realizing the significant opportunity ahead of us. His experience growing and leading category-defining technology companies will be invaluable as we execute our vision.”
Spokenote’s proprietary platform enables organizations to create and distribute individualized video messages at scale, helping strengthen donor relationships, drive fundraising performance, improve student recruitment and retention, increase membership engagement, and enhance customer communication.
The company has gained recognition for helping organizations create more meaningful and measurable connections through personalized video experiences. The same dynamic video technology that has powered engagement campaigns for organizations including the Indiana Pacers, Anheuser-Busch, and Berkshire Hathaway is now being used by nonprofits, higher education institutions, and associations seeking more effective ways to connect with their audiences.
“Spokenote sits at the intersection of two powerful trends: the growing demand for authentic human connection and the increasing adoption of personalized digital engagement,” Johns said. “The company has built an impressive technology platform, established early market leadership, and demonstrated strong customer value. I see a tremendous opportunity to expand that success and help more organizations take advantage of the next generation of personalized communication.”
Johns brings more than a decade of executive leadership experience in nonprofit technology. As CEO of Carmel-based OneCause, he led the company’s transformation into a leading fundraising technology provider in the sector before its acquisition by Bonterra, Inc. in 2025. In addition to his operating experience, Johns is the author of Fearless: Leadership Lessons at the Crossroads and currently serves as Board Chairman of Indianapolis-based Boardable, a provider of nonprofit board management software.
As part of the company’s growth strategy, Wechsler will increasingly focus on strategic partnerships, market expansion, enterprise customer relationships, and long-term innovation initiatives while working alongside Johns to drive execution against Spokenote’s vision.
“Steve’s track record speaks for itself,” said David Becker, Spokenote investor and Board member. “He understands how to build scalable technology businesses, create enterprise value, and serve mission-driven organizations. As Spokenote enters this next phase of growth, his leadership, operational discipline, and strategic perspective will be instrumental in helping the company capitalize on a significant market opportunity.”