Robert Goodwin

Robert K. Goodwin "has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of Light Foundation since July 1, 1995. He joined the Foundation in March, 1992 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In that position, he managed every aspect of the Foundation's mission and operations...

"Goodwin was instrumental in the development of the 1997 Presidents' Summit for America's Future, which celebrated a commitment to improve the quality of life for this nation's youth. He also created Connect America, a collaborative effort led by the Points of Light Foundation and a diverse group of national and local organizations -- nonprofits, civic associations, local governments, businesses, labor unions, fraternal organizations, news media, etc.-- to engage every American in helping to solve serious social and community problems through volunteering.

"Prior to joining the Foundation, Goodwin served as executive director of the U.S. Department of Education's White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). As executive director, he brought together representatives from the Federal government, HBCU's, other institutions of higher education and the private sector to formulate and implement strategies for strengthening the nation's black institutions of higher learning.

"Before that, Goodwin was assistant deputy chancellor for external affairs for Texas A&M University. He was responsible for coordinating congressional, legislative, and community outreach activities for the university system. He came to this position after serving as director of public information and then as associate vice president for university relations at Prairie View A&M University.

"Earlier in his career, Goodwin was publisher of his family-owned weekly newspaper, the OKLAHOMA EAGLE in Tulsa. While a student, he served as an associate pastor of several churches in Oklahoma and California...

"Currently, Goodwin serves on the following boards of directors: Generations United; Interdenominational Theological Center; National Assembly; National and Community Service Coalition; National Urban Fellows, Inc.; and The Salvation Army.

"Goodwin received the 2001 Award for Excellence in National Executive Leadership from the National Assembly of Health and Human Services Organizations. He was also selected for the ninth year in a row as one of the 50 most influential people in the nonprofit sector by the NonProfit Times.

"He received honorary doctorates from LeMoyne Owen College, Ripon College, The University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and The University of Notre Dame. Goodwin and his wife Ruth reside in Fairfax, VA." 


 * Service Advisory Board, International Freedom Center
 * United States Consensus Council Roster, Search for Common Ground