About Jeffrey Charles Ford

Jeff serves as a founding partner (2014) and current CEO of Man Up, a global non-profit organization whose aim is to end fatherlessness. He has overseen the growth of the organization as employee 1 to nearly 40 team members across the globe, with an annual operating budget of $4.5m. In addition to setting the visionary, spiritual, and financial direction for the organization, Jeff’s expertise in global operations has brought about life-changing opportunities for constituent recipients in Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic.

Through groundbreaking mentorship curriculum that incorporates biblical masculinity and business development, Jeff is pioneering the way many Africans and Americans view and understand healthy masculinity. Jeff created, secured funding for, filmed, and developed Patros, a digital video-based resource for men to break the cycle of generational fatherlessness. He also serves as co-host for The Patros Podcast.

He has sat on the Governor’s Florida Faith & Community Advisory Council, served as the Man Up Tampa Bay Cohort Chairman, Guardian ad Litem, Eckerd Connects Advisory Council Member, Family Support Services Advisory Council Member, CS Lewis Society Board Member, and is a Leadership Pasco Graduate (2017).

Jeff graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Communications and Minor in Business Administration. He has been married for nearly a quarter-century to his college sweetheart, Liza, and they have two beautiful children together: Asher, 12, and Jolie, 10.

Aside from my professional and educational background, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t really about being in charge—it’s about being available. Over the years, I’ve realized that real influence happens when you show up with humility, listen before you speak, and invite people into something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s climbing a mountain, coaching kids, or leading a nonprofit, I’ve found that character always outweighs credentials.

As a husband, dad, and follower of Jesus, I’ve also learned that strength doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means staying steady when life doesn’t go according to plan. The best lessons haven’t come from success—they’ve come from failure, grace, and second chances. What I know now is that the world doesn’t need louder leaders; it needs present ones. My purpose is simple: to help men rediscover who they are in Christ and become the kind of fathers, husbands, and friends their families and communities can count on.