James grew up in England and earned a degree in Theatre Studies from Lancaster University. He got a job in the Phonathon and was one of the worst-performing callers ever hired. So eventually they made him a manager, and he made it a career. After graduation, James moved to the US where he worked in annual giving and marketing roles at Centre College and the University of Louisville. In 2014, James moved to the University of Cincinnati Foundation where he serves as the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Marketing, working with both the university and its academic healthcare system.