Paul Edwards
Since 1991, Paul has served as a consultant and inspiration for nonprofit staff and boards. He has led seminars on large gift solicitation techniques and provided specialized skills training for the staff and leadership of 123 U.S. and international nonprofits. Paul has designed and delivered specialized training programs for notable organizations, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Compassion Capital Fund, Oxford University, the University of Chicago, the San Francisco Symphony, the University of Rochester, and Oregon Health and Science University. In 2005, in collaboration with the Maclellan Foundation, Overseas Council, and Triaxia Partners, Paul developed and delivered the first fundraising training program in Beijing for the China Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
After graduating from Stanford University and a brief stint at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Paul worked for 11 years at Stanford University and Stanford Medical Center. Alongside raising major gifts, he designed and implemented volunteer and staff fundraising training for the first billion-dollar campaign by a U.S. nonprofit. In 1990, in partnership with the Russ Reid Company, Paul trained the staff and volunteer leadership for seven U.S. university capital campaigns with combined goals totaling $15.4 billion. In 1991, he joined Prison Fellowship as Senior Vice President to manage a $35 million major gifts campaign in support of justice reform, recidivism reduction, and practical support for families of the incarcerated.
Paul served as CEO for Hawaiian Islands Ministries for three years, an organization committed to equipping churches and pastors in the culturally diverse islands of the Pacific Rim and Hawaii. During this role, HIM coordinated much of the local emergency response after 9/11, addressing the urgent need arising from the abrupt loss of tourism jobs. Paul also has for-profit experience, including three years as Vice President for new business development at Reebok CCS Fitness, a subsidiary of Reebok International.
Paul has been the architect of two successful campaigns for Mercy Ships International (the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy), Wycliffe’s $2 Billion Last Languages Campaign that included a global effort to create literacy empowerment for speakers of minority languages, and Gordon College’s $187 Million Faith Rising Campaign. He developed and led customized, intensive staff and leadership training for the University of Chicago’s $5.4 billion campaign (2012 – 2017) and UC Berkeley’s $7.4 billion campaign (2015-2024).
Paul has also served as board chair for Discover the World, a U.S. nonprofit supporting orphanages in Kenya. He worked alongside local teams in Nairobi to provide housing, education, and healthcare for hundreds of children affected by AIDS in their communities. Paul is humbled and privileged to have collaborated with talented local teams and leaders in Ethiopia, Ghana, Korea, Guatemala, China, and the UK.
An accomplished singer and actor, Paul has performed in over 40 theatrical productions. His son and two daughters have all pursued careers in the performing arts. He holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary and is delighted to share his life with his wife, Jeannie. Their home is also graced by two playful pets: a Bouvier des Flandres named Sarge and a Standard Poodle named James Bond.
Bob Creson
From an early age, I learned that diverse backgrounds create diverse perspectives—and that diverse perspectives lead to better dialogue, stronger engagement, and ultimately better decisions. That lesson has shaped my leadership philosophy throughout my career. I have intentionally cultivated curiosity, built teams with varied viewpoints, established common goals, and sought the best solutions by leveraging the richness of diverse thought.
My studies in Political Science at Pepperdine University deepened my appreciation for global perspectives, both in leadership and in my Christian faith. Following graduation, I spent a decade helping lead a family business in Southern California, where I developed a passion for organizational leadership, team development, and strategic growth. Throughout my career, I have been recognized for building high-performing teams, investing in emerging leaders, fostering collaboration across cultures, and delivering meaningful results grounded in shared purpose and values.
In 1983, my wife, Dallas, and I joined Wycliffe Bible Translators with our four young children, driven by a conviction that everyone deserves access to God’s Word in the language they understand best. I remain deeply committed to the belief that when people encounter Scripture in their own mother tongue, God speaks directly into their culture and daily lives in transformative ways.
Over the course of four decades, I served in a variety of executive leadership roles with Wycliffe Bible Translators, the Wycliffe Global Alliance, and SIL International. My board service has included SIL International, the Wycliffe Global Alliance, The Seed Company, Crisis Consulting International, and the American School of Yaoundé in Cameroon. I was also a founding member of Every Tribe Every Nation, a coalition of leading Bible translation organizations committed to ending Bible poverty worldwide, and Table 71, an alliance focused on reaching the world’s remaining unreached people groups.
After serving 15 years as President and CEO of Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, I retired from the organization. During my tenure, I partnered closely with Paul Edwards to launch and successfully complete the $2 billion Reaching the Last Languages campaign, helping accelerate the start of the remaining Bible translation projects needed worldwide. Under our leadership, Wycliffe Bible Translators USA was recognized by Forbes in 2017 as one of America’s Best Midsized Employers, ranking #20 nationally. I was also honored as an Outstanding Leader by Best Christian Workplaces and am the author of The Finish Line: Stories of Hope Through Bible Translation.
Today, I bring my leadership experience to organizations, boards, and executives seeking to grow, scale, and increase their impact. My work focuses on organizational effectiveness, leadership development, fundraising, strategic vision, and strengthening stakeholder, donor, and customer engagement.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with Dallas, our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren. I also enjoy hiking, cycling, and exploring the outdoors.