Our Team
We are senior operators and strategists who build capital engines for mission-driven institutions.
With backgrounds spanning presidential campaigns, national advocacy organizations, philanthropy, and cultural storytelling ecosystems, our team understands how to align fundraising architecture, narrative strategy, and governance to scale impact.
We do not simply advise.
We design and execute systems that move capital and build long-term influence.
Jared Milrad, J.D., M.S.
Founder | Principal
Jared Milrad is a senior advisor in capital strategy, institutional growth, and civic infrastructure, with two decades of experience building high-performance fundraising systems for complex political and mission-driven organizations.
He has influenced or directed more than $100 million in philanthropic capital across democracy, conservation, gun violence prevention, and social impact — including a historic $40 million principal gift, multiple active $10M+ transformative commitments, and oversight of a $30M+ annual giving portfolio at the National Audubon Society. His advisory work has doubled annual revenue for client organizations through portfolio restructuring, major gift cultivation, and institutional partnership development.
Trained as a lawyer and experienced at the intersection of policy, philanthropy, and institutional leadership, Jared brings strategic discipline, discretion, and fluency in high-stakes stakeholder environments. He currently serves as Chief Development Officer for a national civic engagement nonprofit alongside his advisory practice. Based in California, Jared maintains deep relationships with principal donors, foundations, and civic leaders nationwide, with particular strength across the West Coast.
Seth Ragonese
Senior Advisor
Seth Ragonese brings a decade of major gifts and philanthropic strategy experience to Civic Relay's work with political leaders, advocacy organizations, and mission-driven institutions. He specializes in building high-capacity donor portfolios, closing five- and six-figure gifts, and designing fundraising systems that generate durable, long-term revenue growth.
He has secured major philanthropic commitments from high-net-worth individuals, family foundations, and institutional funders across the conservation, climate, democracy reform, and social impact sectors — translating complex institutional priorities into compelling cases for transformational investment.
Born and raised in Florida, Seth is currently based in Southern California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media and International Development from the University of California, Santa Barbara, an Associate of Arts in Journalism from Indian River State College.
Liam Sigman
Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships
Liam Sigman is a senior fundraising strategist specializing in principal donor architecture, campaign design, and scalable partnership development.
He has partnered with executive leadership teams to build multi-million-dollar capital strategies across conservation, arts and culture, and advocacy organizations. His expertise includes major gift pipeline construction, high-capacity donor stewardship systems, and campaign execution designed to drive sustained revenue growth.
Liam brings cross-sector experience bridging philanthropy and narrative strategy, enabling institutions to convert mission clarity into durable funding streams and long-term influence. A native of Tacoma, Washington, Liam brings a deep connection to the Pacific Northwest and a strong commitment to social impact.