Phoebe Wall Howard Joins The Vella Group
by The Vella Group
The Vella Group welcomes Phoebe Wall Howard to our philanthropy consultancy as partner, communications and development strategy. Phoebe brings a wealth of experience to our team with a 20-year, award-winning career in journalism and 15 years in crisis management and strategic communications. In her new role, she will advise our nonprofit partners in both communications and fund development strategies.
“I’m excited to add Phoebe to our team,” said Jim Vella, CEO and founder. “As a highly respected journalist, she has played in integral role in the Detroit community. That combined with her rich experience in communications and fund development will bring tremendous value to our partners.”
Before joining The Vella Group, Phoebe spent seven years as a business reporter at The Detroit Free Press and the USA Today network covering the automotive industry and consumer trends. Her work included investigative reporting, executive profiles, labor strikes and breaking news. She also has provided exclusive coverage of Mackinac Island tourism and Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race preparation and competition.
Phoebe also worked in California, Arkansas and Iowa in radio, TV, print and digital media. She coordinated political polling for ABC and hosted a political talk show on CBS radio. She ran her own strategic consulting firm in California for a decade with clients throughout the U.S. and South America. She has been a commentator on BBC, CBC, NPR, ABC News, NBC News, PBS NewsHour and Fox Business. Phoebe earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree in magazine writing from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Phoebe currently writes the “Shifting Gears” weekly column on Substack, covering car culture, consumer trends, interesting news exclusives and life. She is a competitive sailor and runner. When time permits, she tutors Detroit students in reading. She is a longtime financial supporter of programs that provide books to foster children and has served on boards for several nonprofit organizations in California.