Rick Parnell
Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff

Rick serves as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund. Rick oversees all aspects of the Foundation's operations including Finance, Grants, Budget, HR, Operations, and Board Liaison. In addition, he supervises all Foundation staff, ensures the efficient and effective allocation of resources across departments, and, along with the President, Executive Vice President, and Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, forms the Strategic Planning Committee, which is responsible for creating and directing the UN Foundation's core mission and activities.

Before joining the United Nations Foundation in 2001, Rick was the Senior Operations Officer for the American Red Cross National Development team and oversaw the day-to-day operations of a $1 billion fundraising campaign for the national organization and its 1,100 local chapters.

Rick also served as Chief of Staff to the President of the University of Florida for 10 years. He holds a B.A. in American History from the University of Florida.