Rick Parnell has served at the top levels of non-profit and higher education leadership in his 25 years of successful global social and climate impact delivery.

Rick believes that creating an equitable 360-degree team driven approach to philanthropy with strong communications, advocacy, operations and financial services, will amplify success. Rick’s experiences have given him a deep understanding that a successful organization must deliver on its mission in partnership with others, but must also focus inward on recruiting and retaining the most diverse highest caliber professionals. 

With a major emphasis on climate change and solutions through agriculture, Rick most recently served as the Executive Director of the Stone Barns Center in Pocantico, NY. Brought in to professionalize the food system non-profit, Rick successfully doubled the fundraising capabilities. He lead the 10-year master plan development, built a Capitol Campaign, recruited a world class leadership team, and designed and implemented the robust DEI strategy. 

Before Stone Barns, Rick served as the Founding President and CEO and Board Member of the Foundation for Climate Restoration (F4CR). In partnership with outside organizations, F4CR focuses on moving rapidly to the solutions of climate change including potential carbon removal technologies and natural solutions. In his role of F4CR Rick Co-Founded the Global Carbon Removal Partnership. 

Prior to the Foundation for Climate Restoration Rick served as the Chief of Staff and Chief Operating officer of the United Nations Foundation. Rick led the teams designing and growing the partnership model of the United Nations Foundation, the organization built out of Ted Turner’s historic $1B gift to support UN causes. Rick was responsible for managing the team that leveraged Mr. Turner’s gift into $2.2B for UN causes, and built a team of over 300 individuals across the U.S. and internationally.  

Rick played a leadership role in the United Nations Global LGBTQ+ campaign, Free and Equal.

Prior to joining the UN Foundation, Rick oversaw a $1B fundraising campaign for the American Red Cross, and served as the Chief of Staff to the President of the University of Florida. 

Rick serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Fund for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council; was the Founding Chair of the Board of Directors of the Digital Impact Alliance; Board member of the Foundation for Climate Restoration, Founder and Chair of the Independent Sector C-Suite Program, and Board member of the Stone Barns Center.

Rick is a member of the Cosmos Club of Washington, DC and the Economic Club of Washington, DC.