Robert D. Mitchell III

Rob Mitchell is president of the American Cancer Society Foundation. He has served in this role since 2003. His American Cancer Society career began in 1998 when he was recruited as the Executive Director of the ACS Planned Giving Business Unit. During his tenure with the ACS, Mr. Mitchell has held the titles of National Vice President of Distinguished Gifts, National Vice President of Income Development, and most recently as the first ever ACS Inc. Chief Development Officer.

As president of the American Cancer Society Foundation, Mr. Mitchell strategically directs the nimble, innovative, sister organization of the American Cancer Society. He works with and reports to a 23-member Board of Trustees and works closely with the CEO of the American Cancer Society Inc. Mr. Mitchell's time is focused on expanding the Foundation's mission and reach in the fight against cancer. The Foundation is identifying the greatest areas of opportunity in the cancer fight and working to secure funding and completion of these opportunities within a time horizon of 5-10 years.

Mr. Mitchell has invested his 25-year career in the non-profit world. He has initiated the creation or expansion of comprehensive fund-raising programs at four major health organizations and institutions, including a comprehensive cancer center and one of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the U.S. In addition to his staff roles, he spent more than 12 years in consulting and staff training for a variety of charitable organizations including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Rob Mitchell's success at the American Cancer Society is well-documented. In his initial role as founding Executive Director of the ACS Planned Giving Business Unit, he brought sales-based accountability to the planned giving industry for the first time. Since 1998, the planned giving staff under his direction have produced new, documented—estates, trusts, and annuities totaling more than $600 million in face value . . . $385 million in Net Present Value.

During his tenure as ACS Chief Development Officer, Mr. Mitchell provided leadership during the greatest period of growth in ACS income in its 93-year history. He helped to secure over $5.6 billion in annual gifts and expectancies in the last six years, culminating in the first ACS $1 billion giving year in 2006. The American Cancer Society is the largest US charity deriving more than 95% of its revenue from public support.

As Chief Development Officer, Rob Mitchell oversaw an annual budget of $69 million and a national staff of more than 200. The 10 largest gifts in ACS history were all made during Mr. Mitchell's time as Chief Development Officer.

Rob Mitchell is a native of New Orleans but has been a Texan by choice for more than 20 years. He is a graduate of Baylor University. Mr. Mitchell lives in San Antonio with his wife Claire. They have four children ranging in age from 19 to 12.