Rick Parnell

Rick Parnell serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund and is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient allocation of the organization’s US$150 million annual budget. Mr. Parnell supports the President and CEO in the development of Foundation-wide strategy, leads all aspects of the Foundation’s operations, including finance, business services, budgeting, HR, administration and board relations, and manages the Foundation’s 250 person staff.

Mr. Parnell serves on the Partnership 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 Nations 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.

Mr. Parnell holds a B.A. in American History from the University of Florida.