In addition to his years in academia, Martin worked tirelessly for the Catholic Diocese of Belleville in Belleville, Ill. directing efforts that raised $80 million by creating and instituting a development program that included an annual appeal with major gifts component, and the first diocesan major campaign. Always called to serve, he spent twelve years with Franciscan University - Steubenville, Ohio as the Director of Christian Outreach and also served as a consultant and executive in Ohio and Wisconsin. Recently, he was selected as the 2020 Millard S. Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from St. Louis Public Radio. Martin serves as a member of the Thought Leadership Team for The Change Leader, Inc. He is a founding member of World Game Changers, C.I.C., and serves as chairperson for its board of directors. Martin is a member of the board of directors of Ten10, LLC.
Leifeld's civic activities have included serving on the boards of directors for FOCUS St. Louis and the Nonprofit Services Consortium, and the President's Council for Food Outreach. He is a former president and board member of the Southern Illinois Charitable Giving Council and a former Fellow of the Eight Principles of Sustainable Fundraising. Leifeld holds a bachelor's degree (summa cum laude) in theology and a master's degree in business administration, both from Franciscan University. Martin is married to Ellen Howe and they reside in University City, MO. He enjoys four adult children, seven grandchildren as well as a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.