Building Better Boards: How Robin Hood and Warburg Pincus are Powering Nonprofits Through Strategic Board Placements

Strong nonprofit leadership starts with strong nonprofit boards. But for many organizations, especially those on the frontlines of poverty fighting, access to qualified, skilled, and committed board members remains a challenge. In fact, 58% of nonprofit chief executives report difficulty recruiting effective board members due to limited networks and access to the right talent.

That’s where Robin Hood’s Board Placement Program, part of our broader Management Acceleration initiative, comes in. Through high-touch, intentional matchmaking, we connect professionals from our network of corporate partners and donors with nonprofit boards that are aligned with their expertise, values, and passions. The goal? Strengthen the capacity and long-term sustainability of the organizations working to lift New Yorkers out of poverty.

One of our most engaged and impactful partners in this work is Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm whose commitment to community engagement is matched by its dedication to developing its people.

Robin Hood and Warburg Pincus have collaborated for years on strategic capacity building efforts. Since the launch of the Board Placement Program, 14 Warburg Pincus employees have joined the boards of 12 nonprofit organizations, with more in process.

“I joined Robin Hood’s Leadership Council in 2020 and was really drawn to the work of the Management Acceleration team,” said Sadrian. “The support they offer nonprofits mirrors what Warburg provides to our portfolio companies — hands-on, strategic, and high-impact.”

This alignment has created a pathway for Warburg professionals to expand their skills in leadership, strategic thinking, and community engagement — while also helping nonprofits scale their missions and increase their effectiveness.

“We actively encourage our employees to explore board service opportunities,” Sadrian continued.

Jacob Strauss, a Managing Director at Warburg Pincus, was one such match. In 2023, after a thoughtful vetting process with Robin Hood’s Management Acceleration team, he joined the board of Student Leadership Network, an organization that empowers young people from underserved communities to achieve success through education.

“From the start, Robin Hood’s matching process was very intentional,” said Strauss. “They took the time to understand not just my professional skills, but my motivations, time availability, and the types of missions that resonated with me.”

Student Leadership Network currently operates five middle and high schools for girls and runs the College Bound Initiative — helping thousands of students across NYC access higher education.
Strauss has since joined one of the organization’s key committees and contributed to strategic planning initiatives.

“It’s been incredibly fulfilling,” he shared. “Board service has deepened my sense of purpose and given me a greater understanding of how leadership and partnership can drive change at the community level.”

Robin Hood’s Management Acceleration team has placed over 800 individuals on nonprofit boards across New York City. These placements are not just about filling seats — they’re about building stronger institutions with the leadership, guidance, and strategic oversight they need to succeed.

This success would not be possible without our corporate partners like Warburg Pincus — and the professionals who step up to serve. “Together, we are building more resilient, more effective poverty-fighting organizations,” said Deborah Sakellarios, Managing Director, Management Acceleration at Robin Hood.

Interested in exploring board service or bringing this opportunity to your company? Reach out to us at ma@robinhood.org to learn how you can get involved.