Robin Powell Mandjes

Robin Powell Mandjes is a partner with Russell Philanthropies. Robin’s expertise and ability to help nonprofit organizations, family foundations, and philanthropists think in a visionary way about their present circumstances while becoming future-ready make her a key fit with the mission and values of Russell Philanthropies.

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Her ability to develop a nuanced understanding of client, partner, and community stakeholder priorities directly translated to her work as Founding Executive Director with EMBRACE BOSTON. There she successfully led a privately-funded public art project to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King’s legacy in a memorial for the City of Boston. Under Robin’s leadership, the effort raised more than $5M, selected the artist team from an exceptional pool, and authentically collaborated with philanthropists, corporations, foundations, higher education institutions, and the Office of the Mayor.

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In addition to her expertise in marrying constituency development with fundraising, Robin is a sought-after advisor for nonprofits and foundations eager to harness the power and support of their boards. With a deep background in board development, refinement, and governance, she offers trusted counsel to Russell Philanthropies clients – and has served on numerous boards herself. Robin is a Director and chairs the Fund Development Committee of The Community Builders, Inc., a nonprofit real estate developer and manager of affordable housing with annual revenues of $84M. 

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Robin is also a trustee of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where she has served on the Executive Committee, the DEI Committee (chair), the Committee on the Board (Nominating and Governance) and the Advancement Committee. Robin has served on numerous boards, including as a director of the ICCO Cooperation, a Netherlands-based NGO, and as a trustee of Williams College.

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In previous roles, Robin developed key external stakeholder relationships, coached senior leaders, and directed corporate philanthropic giving for AT&T Broadband’s Northeast region, and built and managed diverse global banking relationships for Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, Security Pacific Merchant Bank, and BankBoston. She is also principal of Powell Mandjes Associates, an owner of multifamily and single-family housing, and an advisor to individual investors regarding the acquisition and management of residential real estate. 

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Robin has a BA degree in English from Williams College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.