The Bonner Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Harrill as its new Vice President for Operations and Strategic Initiatives. He brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership in both the US and Europe, as well as a passion for community engagement that aligns closely with the Foundation's mission and values.
Background and Experience
Richard was most recently at Columbia University, where he served as Executive Director of Community Impact, its Center for Civic Engagement. Previously, he led the Center for Social Justice at his alma mater UNC Chapel Hill, developing its Bonner Leaders Program and creating a nationally renowned accelerator for social ventures.
Richard is no stranger to the Bonner Network, having worked with the Foundation in 1993 to assess its original 22 campus programs and design the first Summer Leadership Institute. He returned in 2001 as a Senior Fellow at the Foundation, helping shape the Common Commitments that guide the program today.
Richard’s extensive nonprofit experience includes serving as Director of Bard College's experiential learning lab in Manhattan and as Director for Europe of PILnet, a human rights NGO in Budapest, Hungary. He has also served in the US Peace Corps in Hungary, where he worked for nearly a decade to help establish the policy and programming infrastructure for volunteerism and social innovation in the country.
Future Directions
"I am honored to join the Bonner Foundation at such an important time in its history," said Harrill. "There is no better model in US higher education than Bonner for developing innovative civic leaders and fostering community partnerships. I look forward to working with the talented team here to strengthen our operations and develop strategies to expand our impact." In his new role, Richard will oversee the Foundation's day-to-day operations while developing strategic initiatives designed to enhance its programs and partnerships nationwide.
The Foundation's leadership expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: "Richard brings the combination of operational expertise and creative leadership that we need as we enter this next chapter. His experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and creating programs that engage diverse student populations will be invaluable as we work to strengthen and expand our programs."
As part of these efforts, the Foundation team envisions expanding our relationships with colleagues in offices such as Advancement and Career Services, to support sustained institutionalization. “I’m looking forward to Richie joining our team,” noted Ariane Hoy, Vice President of Program and Learning Initiatives. “We are looking forward to leveraging his knowledge and experience in service to building the capacity of centers across the network.”
Richard will officially begin his role on September 15, 2025, and will be based at the Foundation's headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.
To learn more about Richard’s experience and background, visit our staff page. For more information about the Bonner Foundation and its programs, please visit www.bonner.org.