RUTHANNA TERRERI
Madison
Summary
Executive leader with 25+ years of experience helping nonprofits, corporations, foundations, and social enterprises grow through innovative partnerships, strategic marketing, diversified revenue, and mission-driven business strategy. Throughout my career, I have helped organizations create lasting social and environmental impact while achieving sustainable growth. Recognized for building transformational partnerships, developing compelling brands, and aligning purpose with performance to turn bold ideas into measurable results.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Principal
PURPOSE & GROWTH CONSULTING
01.2019 - Current
- Advise nonprofits, foundations, universities, social enterprises, and purpose-driven companies on strategies that accelerate growth, diversify revenue, strengthen brands, and expand organizational impact through strategic partnerships, marketing, and mission-driven business strategy.
- Selected Advisory Engagements
- OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST
- Marketing, Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy Advisor
- Supported the landmark constitutional climate case Juliana v. United States by expanding national visibility, corporate engagement, and philanthropic support.
- Created the nationally recognized Shout Out Campaign, engaging celebrities and influencers to broaden public awareness.
- Secured national television appearances including The View and Real Time with Bill Maher.
- Built strategic relationships with WarnerMedia, Creative Artists Agency, Rogers & Cowan/PMK, multinational corporations, and major philanthropists.
- Helped secure participation from Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Harry Belafonte, and other influential advocates.
- Cultivated the organization's first multinational corporate supporters, including Mars and Amazon.
- Generated more than $350,000 in philanthropic support within seven months.
- RETURN TO FREEDOM WILD HORSE CONSERVATION
- Negotiated a strategic partnership with Facebook's Social Impact team.
Interim Executive Director
BLUE IRIS FARM RESCUE & RETREAT
- 01.2025
- Provided executive leadership during a pivotal stage of organizational growth for an innovative nonprofit dedicated to animal rescue, environmental stewardship, education, and community wellness.
- Key Achievements
- Directed fundraising, sponsorship development, donor engagement, and grant strategy to diversify revenue.
- Strengthened the organization's brand and communications, increasing community awareness and stakeholder engagement.
- Built strategic partnerships with schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders.
- Guided board development, governance initiatives, and long-term organizational planning.
- Developed an integrated growth strategy combining philanthropy, earned revenue, strategic partnerships, and marketing.
- EARLIER LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Give.Live.Thrive. Community Fund / Coldwell Banker Global Luxury
- Innovator & Global Sales Director
- Developed one of the real estate industry's earliest purpose-driven marketing initiatives, integrating philanthropy with luxury real estate marketing and client engagement.
Founder, President & Executive Director
H2OPE WATER FOUNDATION / H2OPE WATER, INC.
01.2008 - 01.2015
- Founded one of the nation's earliest social enterprises, creating an innovative hybrid nonprofit/business model that demonstrated how consumer purchasing power could generate sustainable funding for global clean water initiatives. Built the organization from concept to national recognition, leading strategy, partnerships, branding, fundraising, manufacturing, licensing, distribution, governance, communications, and business development.
- Key Achievements
- Created The World's Kindest Water, a purpose-driven consumer brand demonstrating how commerce could generate measurable social, environmental, and financial impact.
- Built strategic partnerships with Whole Foods Market, UNFI, Participant Media, The New York Times, Viacom, Live Earth Run for Water, Global Philanthropy Forum, EcoVessel, Vapur, and other national organizations.
- Secured national product distribution through UNFI, the nation's leading natural and organic products distributor.
- Recruited industry leaders and influencers, including Frank Bombaci, a founding executive behind Vitaminwater, to strengthen organizational strategy and credibility.
- Established a Celebrity Ambassador Program featuring Nickelback to expand national awareness and engagement.
- Secured the first grant awarded by Newman's Own Foundation to an organization utilizing a comparable social enterprise model.
- Mobilized more than 30,000 hours of professional volunteer expertise across legal, marketing, communications, sales, and business development.
- EARTHJUSTICE
- Director of Marketing, Communications & Corporate Support
- Established and led the organization's first marketing, communications, and corporate partnerships division while directing the nationally recognized transition from Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund to Earthjustice, now one of the world's leading environmental law organizations.
- Key Achievements
- Led the successful national rebranding from Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund to Earthjustice, strengthening the organization's public identity and national recognition.
- Created the organization's first corporate partnerships program, establishing new opportunities for philanthropic and business engagement.
- Produced a nationally recognized celebrity public service campaign featuring Mel Gibson, Shaquille O'Neal, and R.E.M., generating more than $1 million in donated media value.
- Developed strategic marketing and communications initiatives that increased visibility, donor engagement, and organizational support.
- Built relationships with corporations, media organizations, philanthropists, and public figures to expand awareness of environmental justice issues.
Interim Executive Director
BAUER HALL INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER | UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT
- Expanded entrepreneurship programming to include social enterprise, sustainability, impact investing, purpose-driven branding, and B Corp principles.
- Connected students with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and mission-driven businesses through innovative educational programming and partnerships.
- INSTITUTE FOR GOVERNANCE & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
- Elevated executive visibility surrounding global methane reduction initiatives through strategic communications and media positioning.
- Helped establish organizational leadership as recognized voices in climate policy and environmental sustainability.
- SHORELINE ARTS ALLIANCE
- Developed fundraising initiatives, partnership strategies, and branding that strengthened organizational visibility and supported arts programming throughout Connecticut's shoreline communities.
Director of Marketing Strategy
Quest Entertainment
- Developed innovative sponsorship, funding, and product placement strategies for television and film projects, securing partnerships with Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and Alfa Romeo.
- International Broadcast Corporation
- Director of Sales & Marketing
- Led regional marketing initiatives for internationally recognized entertainment brands, including Ice Capades and Harlem Globetrotters.
Sales & Promotions Manager
The Walt Disney Company
- Developed promotions and traffic-building campaigns supporting Southern California attractions.
- FOR THE CAUSE
- Founder | 1997-2004
- Founded a strategic marketing and partnerships firm helping nonprofit organizations increase visibility, strengthen fundraising, and expand public engagement through high-profile campaigns, media relations, and celebrity partnerships.
- Key Achievements
- Produced nationally recognized fundraising events and public awareness campaigns for nonprofit organizations.
- Managed media relations for the State of the World Forum.
- Developed celebrity public service campaigns featuring Jennifer Lopez and Pierce Brosnan.
- Helped nonprofit organizations strengthen fundraising, partnerships, and public visibility through innovative communications strategies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of New Haven
Certificate - Fundraising
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Photography Studies
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CaliforniaSkills
- Social enterprise development
- Strategic partnerships
- Growth strategy
- Revenue diversification
- Business development
- Corporate partnerships
- Executive leadership
- Marketing and communications
- Brand strategy
- Fundraising and sponsorships
- Organizational growth
- Sustainability initiatives
- ESG communications
- Corporate social responsibility
- Public relations
Timeline
Founder & Principal
PURPOSE & GROWTH CONSULTING
01.2019 - Current
Founder, President & Executive Director
H2OPE WATER FOUNDATION / H2OPE WATER, INC.
01.2008 - 01.2015
Interim Executive Director
BLUE IRIS FARM RESCUE & RETREAT
- 01.2025
Interim Executive Director
BAUER HALL INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER | UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT
Director of Marketing Strategy
Quest Entertainment
Sales & Promotions Manager
The Walt Disney Company
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of New Haven
Certificate - Fundraising
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Photography Studies
Art Center College of Design