Russ Paulsen

Russ Paulsen is a seasoned nonprofit executive known for his expertise in fundraising and leading public-private coalitions to address large-scale issues in nonprofits and society.

He has a strong track record of convening multi-stakeholder coalitions, managing teams ranging from 5 to 195 individuals, and handling budgets that span from $5 million to $216 million.

His skill set includes fundraising, grant-making, general management, strategy development, metrics implementation, program leadership, and organizational change.

Russ has excelled in fostering employee engagement in both large and small teams, across various functional areas.

He is a recognized expert, often quoted in national media, and has represented national nonprofits in important forums like Congress, the White House, with major donors, and partners.

Russ Paulsen pursued his education with a BA from the University of California, Riverside, and an MA from the University of California, Berkeley.

Throughout his career, Russ has held significant roles in various reputable organizations, such as Chief Operating Officer at USAgainstAlzheimer's, Executive Consultant in his self-employed capacity, Senior Advisor at the Institute for Sustainable Development, Vice President of 211 at United Way Worldwide, and multiple Executive Director and Executive Officer positions at the American Red Cross. He has also served in roles like Acting Product Manager at Comdisco and Director of Corporate and Foundation Development at the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter.