Paul Koreen Appointed as New Chair of The Giving Institute; New Executive Committee Announced

Chicago, IL – September 2025 – The Giving Institute announces the election of Paul Koreen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer of KCI, as the newly elected Chair of the Board of Directors. Koreen’s two-year term as Chair commenced on August 1, 2025.

The Giving Institute, a leading sector association recognized for its commitment to advancing thought leadership and ethical practice in philanthropy, is also pleased to announce the full slate of Executive Officers serving alongside Koreen in the 2025–26 term:

• 1st Vice Chair – Deb Taft, CEO, Lindauer
• 2nd Vice Chair – Lee Ernst, CEO, Johnson, Grossnickle and Associates
• Treasurer – Allison Gannon, Head of Revenue Operations, BWF
• Secretary – Leya Simmons, CEO, BetterUnite
• Member-At-Large – Angelique Grant, Principal, The Inclusion Firm
• Member-At-Large – Lauren Sheehan, President, DonorPerfect
• Past Chair – Brenda Asare, CEO, Alford Group

“Paul’s appointment as Chair comes at a pivotal moment for The Giving Institute,” said Erin Berggren, CAE, Executive Director of The Giving Institute and The Giving USA Foundation. “His leadership at KCI and long record of service within the Institute make him exceptionally well-suited to guide us in building on our momentum and strengthening collaboration across our membership. With Paul and the incoming Executive Committee at the helm, we are poised for another impactful year of advancing generosity and thought leadership.”

Known for his collaborative approach and strategic mindset, Paul is a trusted leader who brings creativity and optimism to complex challenges, fostering a culture of integrity, inclusivity, and future-focus. At KCI, Canada’s leading national consulting firm serving the charitable sector, he provides leadership across geographies and services with a focus on strategy and operations. Deeply motivated by the unique position of The Giving Institute at the intersection of business and the greater good, he finds purpose in helping charitable organizations thrive – believing that their success is the definitive metric of our member firms’ success.

Beyond his professional role, Koreen has a longstanding record of volunteer service, including recently concluding his term as Chair of the National Advisory Board of the Salvation Army in Canada & Bermuda. Within The Giving Institute, he has been actively engaged for more than a decade, serving as 1st & 2nd Vice Chair, Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Program & Education Committee, as well as a past Summer Symposium Co-Chair. These roles reflect his deep commitment to advancing the Institute’s mission and strengthening collaboration across member firms.

“It is my joy and privilege to step into the role of Chair at this exciting time,” said Paul Koreen. “The Giving Institute is experiencing tremendous momentum – in programming excellence, membership growth and our collective impact on advancing generosity. I look forward to working with Deb, Lee, Allison, Leya, Angelique, Lauren, and all our member firms to carry this momentum forward. Together, we can achieve even more.”

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About The Giving Institute

Founded in 1935, The Giving Institute champions thought leadership and ethical standards in philanthropy. Its member firms are dedicated to advancing generosity and developing extraordinary leaders in the philanthropic sector. Additionally, as the parent organization of the Giving USA Foundation™, The Giving Institute advances philanthropy through research and education, including the annual publication of Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy.

About KCI

KCI is Canada’s leading consultants to the non-profit sector with professionals across the country in fundraising, strategy, research & analytics and executive search. Our core purpose is to inspire and enable organizations to raise money, to make the dream of better communities and improved lives a reality. And through our 40 years of experience, we’ve helped thousands of organizations craft their strategies, build their teams and raise billions of dollars in the education, health, social service, arts & culture and religious sectors.