Thomas Bruner Email & Phone Number

Since its launch in 2016, Bruner Strategies has helped 80 businesses and organizations in Oregon, Texas, California, New York, Minnesota, Alabama, India and Venezuela do great work through: Leadership & Governance- Bruner has helped leaders at multiple organizations lead through institutional change using two strategies: Learning Cultures, which encourage innovation, creativity and smart risk by approaching failure as a tool for individual and organizational growth; and Mindfulness, which facilitates thoughtful decision-making by teaching people to think, act and speak in intentional and kind ways.Equity & Inclusion - At national, state and local organizations, Bruner has led successful efforts to increase workforce diversity of Boards, staff and volunteers; improve cultural competence in delivering products and services; develop culturally-specific interventions to reduce disparities; create innovative partnerships with culturally-specific organizations; and increase supplier diversity through women-owned, minority-owned, and emerging small businesses. Development - As both a volunteer Board member and CEO, Bruner has helped an array of arts, civic, healthcare, social service, and faith organizations develop systems that have raised $400 million from individuals, corporations, foundations, government grants, planned gifts, special events, crowdfunding and in-kind gifts.

Built a nutrition center to reduce infant malnutrition in Guatemala. Worked at a day care and hiked glaciers while living in Alaska. Fell in love with classical music while studying in Vienna, Austria. Discussed politics in hushed tones with locals in Hungary and Czechoslovakia behind the Iron Curtain. Backpacked for months across Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Germany, England and The Netherlands. Got lost hiking in the Sahara by moonlight in Morocco. Combed the alleys of Cairo and floated down the Nile in Egypt. Saw the brightest night sky imaginable while staying with a family in the Amazon in Brazil. Visited a village of refugees from Myanmar in the mountains of Thailand. Drank beer and laughed into the wee hours with elderly men in China. Studied Spanish while living with a family in Guanajuato, Mexico. Hiked Inca ruins and meditated at Machu Picchu in Peru. Thought, "I could live here" while wandering the streets of Quito, Ecuador. Snorkeled with sharks and flirtatious seals in the Galapagos Islands. Made a pilgrimage to Buddhism's holy sites in India. Accepted an invitation to dinner and overnight with a rural Nepalese family. Befriended by locals in villages across Ethiopia. Swam with locals under waterfalls in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Made pilgrimage to slave forts on the coast of Ghana, West Africa. Attended authentic voodoo services in Benin and Togo, Africa.

Portland, Oregon, Us

Led a $6 million campaign at one of the nation's leading Zen Buddhist temples to restore and develop a 14-acre brownfield for its new campus, including: coaching temple leadership on strategy and financial asks; securing a matching challenge gift to incentivize giving; and, developing a first-ever crowdfunding campaign. Exceeded goal by 35%, and secured first-ever private foundation grants. Grew social media presence to increase visibility and relevance, resulting in increased levels of engagement. Consulted on marketing of the temple’s new preschool program and ongoing communications with 3,000 constituents. Explored the possibility of ordaining as a monk while working, studying and living full-time at the temple. "Not just a new home for Dharma Rain, but a gift to Portland" - KGW News

Led the successful turnaround of one of the largest affiliates of the country's leading breast cancer foundation following a national public relations crisis resulting in reputational, financial and organizational tumult. Turned a $1.4 million projected deficit into a balanced budget. Secured $1 million in state funds for cancer screening. Grew and diversified revenue by creating first major donor program, exponentially increasing foundation grants received, and growing annual luncheon by 83%. Strengthened external grantmaking by transitioning from activity-based to outcomes-based measures linked to disparities. Launched a $2.5 million Latina Initiative with 10 foundation partners, three Spanish language media outlets and $1 million in donated cancer screening. Partnered with state broadcast association to air 52,000 educational spots valued at $300,000. Negotiated public naming of research labs at two leading regional healthcare institutions. Took local conference statewide via simulcasts with 40% increase in attendance. Increased diversity of Board from 11% to 35% and staff from 0% to 36%. "Bruner picks up the pieces at Komen" - Portland Business Journal"We'd rather aim for the sky but budget more pragmatically" - The NonProfit Times"We have to do something...we can save Latinas' lives, literally" - Portland Tribune

Washington, Dc, Us

Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion: Invigorated and expanded diversity and inclusion programming nationally, including: creation of employee resource groups with over 1,000 participants; development of cultural competency trainings with nationally-known experts; coordination and support of 100 previously disconnected diversity field workers; and developing a new behaviorally-based training module for cultural competence. Reengineered external partnerships model from relational-only to outcomes-based. Partnered with supply chain management to help increase diverse spend 20%. Vice President, Northeast U.S.: Led 60 chapters across New England and New York with 1,500 employees, 45,000 volunteers and $150 million in expenses. Reduced largest-in-nation annual operating deficit by 60%, exceeded nationally assigned add-on fundraising target of $17 million, and oversaw implementation of new shared services model for finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, and health and safety services. Implemented new fundraising model that tracked prospect pipeline, cultivation and stewardship touches, asks and financial outcomes weekly. Regional Executive, Oregon: Led chapters in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford, Bend and Baker City, with 5,000 volunteers, 17 offices, 175 employees and $14 million in expenses. Implemented new national model of regionalization among previously autonomous business units, decreasing territorialism and strengthening operating systems. Created Communities of Color initiative to increase workforce diversity by 25% and improve cultural competence. Developed partnership with City of Portland to operate Emergency Warming Centers for homeless, with thousands of overnight stays and unprecedented media exposure. Appointed by Board of Governors to the National Diversity Advisory Board to advance equity and inclusion. "Bruner is adding statewide duties to his portfolio" - Portland Business Journal

Portland, Oregon, Us

Senior advisor to the elected CEO of one of the largest county governments in the Western U.S., with 5,000 employees and a $1.5 billion budget. One of two lead budget writers crafting the Chair's $350 million general fund budget using new national model of zero-based budgeting. Lead staff on joint public safety budgeting collaborative with City of Portland, identifying duplication and possibilities for consolidation. Championed expansion of nationally-recognized Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) program for at-risk youth, and worked to protect SUN from threatened budget cuts. Strategized the gifting of a vacant county building to advance the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, adding 108 apartments to affordable housing stock. Worked to advance a plan to provide $5 million in financial assistance to distressed county school districts to incentivize financial support from other governmental entities. In partnership with the Sheriff, developed budget options to utilize a new but never-opened county jail. Lobbied on county issues on the federal level. Maintained the county's exceptional bond rating despite significant revenue constraints. "A rising civic star" - The Oregonian

Portland, Oregon, Us

Led the turnaround, professionalization and growth of one of the leading HIV organizations in the Western U.S. Grew contributed income by 300%, net assets by 330% and annual budget by 119%. Launched first major donor program and first staffed foundations program. Reengineered special events model from six competing events raising $300,000 to two strategically targeted events raising $1 million with a 50% reduction in expense ratio. Increased frequency of earned media dramatically, building community momentum and enhancing organizational credibility. Created and led first statewide HIV public policy collaborative, including hiring of professional lobbyist in state capital. Developed innovative programming, including nationally- funded children's services and back-to-work employment initiative. Launched culturally-specific programming for African Americans in partnership with region's powerful faith-based leaders coalition. Strengthened governance with creation of highly influential Board of Advisors. Increased diversity of Board and staff by 35%. Lobbied on the federal level, and invited to provide testimony to the U.S. Senate. "Bruner is raising hell (and some serious cash) at Cascade AIDS Project"​ - Willamette Week "Turnaround Thomas" - Portland Business Journal "What do you call someone who does all this? A hero" - The Oregonian

Fort Worth, Texas, Us

Led an all-volunteer organization to become one of the most vibrant, innovative and respected HIV organizations in the South and Southwest, successfully mobilizing a large conservative urban county around the HIV epidemic in the process. Grew annual budget from $60,000 to almost $4 million, net assets from $0 to $1 million, staff from 1 to 55 and volunteers from 30 to 1,200. Produced year-end surpluses for 10 consecutive years. Opened offices in three fast-growing communities. Built one of the most influential Board of Directors and Board of Advisors among nonprofits regionally. Strategically leveraged print and broadcast media to successfully build community ownership and urgency, resulting in exceptionally high levels of visibility. Created partnerships with opinion-leaders, including United Way, Junior League, Medical Society and City Hall, to increase credibility and acceptability of a then controversial issue. Developed cutting-edge programming for HIV-affected children, culturally specific outreach to African Americans, and employment services for people with HIV. Among the founders of Texas AIDS Network, the first statewide policy, lobbying and advocacy organization. Lobbied extensively on the federal level."Who can replace Thomas Bruner, the visionary?"​ - Fort Worth Star-Telegram"It increased my resolve to do something" - Chicago Tribune"Big Shoes to Fill" - Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial Board

Certification, Diversity Management

Master'S Degree, Clinical Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology