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Russell A. Jackson
National Advisory Council Member
Russell A. Jackson, born in Birmingham, Alabama, is a proven nonprofit leader and innovator with a sound history of developing and implementing new nonprofit programs and community initiatives. His life journey began as a firefighter for the City of Hoover in Alabama. In 1992, a tragic medical call and death of a two-year old boy would redirect Russell’s career path. Shortly after, he founded Kid One Transport, a nonprofit medical transportation program that became a national model and to-date has served more than 50,000 children and expectant mothers via a partnership with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.
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Russell has been responsible for the formation of dozens of startup nonprofit organizations, programs, and initiatives across the nation. Because of his due diligence in developing the concepts, 81% of these organizations and programs continue today, and are raising millions of dollars annually to continue their important missions.
Russell is an accomplished professional in the areas of Nonprofit Startup, Leadership, Operations, Board Governance, Strategic Planning, Grant Writing, Major Gifts, Annual Campaigns, Special Events, Donor Relations, Public Relations, and Cause-Related Marketing. He has a strong acumen in financial, policy, operations, and regulatory oversight. His strong leadership skills to build, strengthen and champion a team to exceed its goals has earned him several nonprofit leadership awards from state, local and national groups. Russell’s ability to effectively educate, inspire and engage the public even caught the attention of the International Association of Business Communicators who presented him with their highest award: Communicator of the Year.
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He has received more than 200 community and national awards, with the more notable ones being named CNN HERO, Tiger Woods Foundation Hero, Johnson and Johnson Healthcare Hero, Costco’s National Making a Difference recipient and the Mercedes-Benz Drive for Excellence award. However, his most cherished award was being named one of AOL’s Amazing Dads of 2008, because family means more to Russell than anything else.
Russell has been the keynote speaker and trainer at more than 250 conferences and/or events, and has served on numerous national committees and nonprofit boards. His ongoing commitment to nonprofit excellence and proven record have made him one of the most sought-after nonprofit specialists in the nation.
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Russell has been married to his incredible wife and best friend for 24 years, Mary, and has two amazing children – Harrison Parker and Mackenzie Grace, along with three absolutely rotten pets: Byron, Bernie, and Bailey
