New Executive Role to Build Long-Term Funding Growth Strategy to Achieve Pacific Institute’s Ambitious 2030 Water Resilience Goal
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, March 14, 2024 – The Pacific Institute, a US-based global water think tank, today announced water fundraising veteran Nicole Wickenhauser has joined its executive team as Director of Development. In this newly created role, Wickenhauser will lead the development of a new visionary funding model to support the Pacific Institute’s long-term strategic growth. This new fundraising strategy will enable the Pacific Institute to reach its ambitious goal to catalyze the transformation to water resilience in the face of climate change by 2030.
Wickenhauser brings more than 15 years of experience leading significant revenue growth for water-focused non-profit organizations. At Water.org, she played a leading role in growing the organization’s revenue from US$2 million to $30 million, managing a diverse portfolio of partners that helped to fuel its exponential growth. Wickenhauser held a progressive range of leadership roles at Water.org between 2006 and 2021, ultimately serving as global Director of Strategic Alliances. She later served as Director of Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Advancement for the Stroud Water Research Center.
“Nicole is a visionary leader with a record of driving transformational funding growth in the global water space,” said Jason Morrison, President of the Pacific Institute. “As the Pacific Institute advances toward its 2030 water resilience goal and accelerates scaling of evidence-based water resilience strategies, Nicole’s leadership working with funders and philanthropic partners will be foundational to our success improving water outcomes in the United States and globally.”
“Water touches everything and connects us all. No single cause has greater catalytic potential for advancing social and environmental good,” said Wickenhauser. “I’m honored to join the Pacific Institute in accelerating the transformation to water resilience and a water secure world.”
Wickenhauser holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a BA in Communications and English Literature from the University of Iowa.
Hailing from Kansas City, Wickenhauser joins the Pacific Institute’s growing global staff located across multiple continents.
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Founded in 1987, the Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts in developing sustainable water policies. From working with Fortune 500 companies to frontline communities, our mission is to create and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. Since 2009, the Pacific Institute has also acted as co-secretariat for the CEO Water Mandate, a global commitment platform that mobilizes a critical mass of business leaders to address global water challenges through corporate water stewardship. For more information, visit pacinst.org.