Graham Murphy

As a founding Arabella employee, Graham Murphy leads programs that guide the firm’s design, implementation, and adoption of strategic transformational changes. As the head of organizational development and change management, Graham works closely with executives and senior management to ensure the organization is prepared to achieve its strategic goals. Graham also oversees leadership development, succession planning, and firmwide learning and development programs.

Prior to his current role, Graham led Arabella’s Culture and Talent team and HR function for more than a decade. As head of the Culture and Talent team, he focused on developing HR strategies that ensured strategic alignment, continuous organizational learning, and increased impact for clients as the firm grew. Graham started out managing Arabella’s business operations, finances, and human resources in 2007. During his tenure, he has advanced the firm’s operational capacity, overseen the organization’s finances, managed its real estate portfolio, developed its contracting processes, established new human resources capabilities, provided outsourced HR services to clients, and overseen staff integration during the firm’s first acquisition. Graham previously oversaw Arabella’s managed nonprofit organizations—including setting up an affiliated 501(c)(4)—and served its family foundation clients. He also oversaw Arabella’s diversity and inclusion work.

Prior to coming to Arabella, Graham supported the executive director’s office and board of directors of a national child care association and managed operations for Teach For America’s Washington, DC office. He also served as an officer for SMYAL, DC’s largest organization serving LGBTQ youth. He has been recognized by George Washington University and DC’s Youth Pride Alliance for his work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.

Graham holds an MS in learning and organizational change from Northwestern University. His master’s capstone study examined the effectiveness of MBA programs in preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Graham also holds a BA in human services from George Washington University, where he graduated summa cum laude, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute.