Transformational Business Coach, Fundraising Expert, & Experienced Marketing Executive

Zoraya E. Lee-Hamlin is a transformative leader with over 36 years of experience in nonprofit and business sectors, helping organizations achieve their goals through strategic marketing, fund development, and community engagement. As the founder of RayZo, Inc., established in 2003, Zoraya has become a trusted partner for nonprofits, small businesses, and corporate teams, delivering tailored solutions to drive measurable success.

Recognized as a virtual “Chief Development Officer for Hire,” Zoraya aligns organizational priorities with the best funding and growth opportunities. Her expertise extends beyond nonprofits, working with small businesses to build impactful brands, expand customer bases, and implement effective marketing strategies. Additionally, RayZo partners with corporate teams on special projects such as web development, product launches, and event marketing.

Working closely with her grant-writing and marketing team, Zoraya consistently delivers results. Under her leadership, RayZo has secured substantial grants, developed dynamic brands, and trained leaders in innovative fundraising and business development methods. Organizations and businesses alike benefit from RayZo’s ability to identify new resources, craft compelling strategies, and deliver transformative outcomes—all typically within 6-12 months of engagement.

Her distinguished leadership includes 27 years on the board of La Casa de Don Pedro, New Jersey’s largest LatinX community development corporation. As Board President for 10 years (of the 27 years), she led the organization through transformative growth, setting it apart as a model for nationwide community development corporations.

In 2024, Zoraya’s extensive experience in nonprofit management and strategic leadership earned her a historic appointment to the NFL Alumni Board of Directors following three years as a contractor.  As the first woman of color to serve on the board in its 58-year history, Zoraya continues to advance organizational excellence and champion initiatives that create lasting impact.

Recent Highlights

Grants Management and Fund Development 

Recent wins.

  • Consistently high success rates: On average, achieve 90–95% grant renewal rate while assisting in securing new funding for nonprofits typically within 6-12 months.
  • Impact 100 Jersey Shore and Chick-fil-A Community Grants: Recently, RayZo grant writers secured a highly coveted Impact 100 grant for $114,000 and a $75,000 grant, respectively, resulting in a 25% budget increase for a Monmouth County, NJ nonprofit supporting at-risk children.
  • Local food bank in Northern NJ: Delivered $235,000 in funding from four new sources within four months, supporting leadership transitions and expanding services.
  • Union County, NJ: Assisted in securing a $100,000 renewal grant in 2024 to expand programs for young fathers.
  • Overall funding achievements: Recently secured over $1.5 million for nonprofits with budgets under $1 million.

Digital Marketing, Web Development, and Advertising

Historical performance.

  • Paramount’s First-Time Initiative: Developed four websites to recruit diverse storytellers, directors, and composers, collaborating across creative, legal, and compliance teams for Paramount (formerly ViacomCBS).
  • Public-sector website transformation: Designed a responsive, user-friendly site for the Passaic County Board of Social Services, improving outreach and service delivery.
  • NAACP Elizabeth Branch rebranding: Enhanced their website for increased digital fundraising and community engagement while aligning with national branding guidelines.
  • 2024 website rebranding initiative: Built seven websites with advanced metrics and analytics to improve user engagement, data collection, and service visibility.

Capacity Building and Organizational Strategy

Strengthening boots on the ground.

  • Consultant for Victoria Foundation grantees: Served as a fund development coach, creating tailored plans and securing $250,000 in new funding within 12 months.
  • Union County Fatherhood Initiative Coalition: Delivered program development, branding solutions, and IT strategies to engage young fathers while designing a new website to expand their services.

Business IT Solutions and Consulting

Supporting local and national businesses.

  • NFL Alumni digital transformation: Built a national membership portal and 40 local chapter websites, integrating cloud services, CRM systems, social media, and email marketing solutions to enhance member engagement and streamline operations.
  • Local supermarket success: Provided digital marketing, advertising, and social media management for a family-owned supermarket chain, driving consistent sales growth and strengthening community ties.

Zoraya’s work across grants management, digital innovation, and capacity-building exemplifies her commitment to achieving measurable impact. Her collaborations with a dedicated team of grant writers, marketers, and IT consultants continue transforming nonprofits and businesses, equipping them for sustainable success.

Personal Background Zoraya began her career as an intern at The Carter G. Woodson Foundation in 1989 while earning her MBA at Rutgers Business School, where she discovered her passion for nonprofit management. Since then, she has dedicated her career to increasing organizational productivity and helping nonprofits serve marginalized families.

In her personal life, Zoraya enjoys golf, boating, and traveling. She has two adult children: Ray, Jr., a marketing manager with RayZo, and Asia, the founder of The Flavor Spot by AZ.

Early Career: Carter G. Woodson Foundation, Urban League of Essex County and National Urban League

Zoraya began her nonprofit management career as an MBA intern at the Carter G. Woodson Foundation in the late 1980s. After earning her MBA from Rutgers Business School, she started with the Urban League of Essex County in 1993 as Director of Marketing and fundraising. She laid the foundation for the affiliate’s marketing and fundraising efforts, elevating the Urban League’s profile within the community.

  • Community engagement: Redesigned the membership program to connect small businesses and Urban League members, volunteers, and the Guild, fostering stronger ties within the community.
  • Volunteer engagement: Established a national program, locally, the Urban League Young Professionals, to recruit and involve volunteers in the organization’s mission.
  • Technology transformation: Later, as director of Technology and Economic Self-Sufficiency Initiatives and a member of the National Urban League’s extended Cabinet, Zoraya and her team led the win of a $2.7 million software grant from Microsoft and a $1.5 million renewal grant from the Prudential Foundation. These initiatives significantly enhanced the technological capacity of 100 Urban League affiliates nationwide, establishing over 70 computer training labs and equipping affiliates with Microsoft software for comprehensive training programs.
  • Advocate for Digital Inclusion: Delivered testimony on Capitol Hill to the Foundation for Women Legislators, providing policy recommendations to address the Digital Divide. Her insights focused on creating equitable access to technology and resources, emphasizing strategies to bridge the gap for underserved communities.

FUN FACT

RayZo has supported organizations serving communities from Newark to Haiti—helping build everything from food security programs to clean water initiatives.

MOTIVATIONS

Zoraya is deeply passionate about supporting organizations that serve underserved and marginalized children and families. With an extensive background in urban marketing and fund development, she is widely recognized for her cultural sensitivity and exceptional ability to effectively connect with and engage diverse communities.