This work culminated in the Institute board’s adoption in 2016 of a new mission statement: “Helping build the spiritual foundation for a loving world.”

Bob has spent his career working with a broad range of nonprofit organizations on strategy development, advocacy, program development, governance and legal compliance. While practicing law in Washington D.C., (1979-1986, 1993-2013) he represented a broad range of foundations and public charities, as well as the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector, the two principal national associations representing nonprofits before Congress and the executive branch. His work included helping to design and lead major national advocacy campaigns involving environmental and health issues and the right of nonprofit organizations to participate in the legislative process.

Bob has also served on the staff of the YMCA of the USA (Associate General Counsel and Director of Public Policy) from 1986 through 1992 and has led major national YMCA program development efforts. As the YMCA’s first Director of Public Policy, he led the development of the YMCA’s national advocacy program under the banner of “Building Strong Kids, Strong Families, and Strong Communities.”

Bob received his JD from Yale Law School in 1979. He also attended Princeton University (AB, 1974, Woodrow Wilson Scholar) and Oxford University (BA, 1976, Marshall Scholar).