Rick Parnell
Chief Operating Officer, United Nations Foundation
Rick Parnell serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund. Mr. Parnell oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s operations, including finance, grants, budget, HR, operations and board liaison. He supervises the Foundation staff of more than 200 people and ensures the efficient and effective allocation of resources to maximize the impact of a budget of more than US$100 million annually. He leads the organization's Strategic Planning Committee, which is responsible for creating and directing the Foundation's core mission and activities.
Mr. Parnell serves on the partnerhip Board of the mHealth Alliance; the Board of Directors of the U.S. Fund for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and the Board of Directors of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Before joining the United Naitons Foundation in 2001, Mr. Parnell was the senior operations officer for the American Red Cross National Development team and oversaw the day-to-day operations of a $1 billion fund-raising campaign for the national organization and its 1,100 local chapters.
Mr. Parnell 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.
Blog Posts by Rick Parnell
Resolutions to Keep
Around this time of year, a lot of people are already struggling to keep some of the resolutions they made just a few days earlier.
But some resolutions are too important to break. Fifteen years ago, Ted Turner made a bold commitment to donate $1 billion to help the United Nations tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. In the time since, his donation -- and the additional support and the resolution of partners like you -- have helped change countless lives through the work of the UN Foundation.
January 8, 2013
Mark Your Calendar: UN Day
Mark your calendars: This Wednesday, October 24th, the UN Foundation will help celebrate "United Nations Day," and we want you to join us!
October 23, 2012
Results in India – Reasons to Invest in Humanity
As we prepare to return from India and the semi-annual UN Foundation Board meeting, I am struck by one of the themes that emerged from discussions this past week: the need for long-term investments in humanity. This is more than just a lofty phrase. It is a call for a fundamental shift in the way people think about philanthropy, partnership, and working with the United Nations.
April 3, 2012
Global Problems Need Global Leaders…and the UN
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a leader in the global arena – someone we trust to resolve the most challenging global issues? There’s no doubt it requires the usual – honesty, intelligence, and the ability to inspire and influence others.
March 19, 2012
