Robert Patterson has been with Kids Can Community for over 25 years, starting as Program Director, then Assistant Executive Director, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2010. In his tenure as CEO, Robert has expanded the number of children served to over 1400 each year and grown the organization’s budget by over 500%.

“What I love about Kids Can is our belief that every child, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or their family income – every child deserves to have the opportunity for a successful and enjoyable life. There are already enough obstacles stacked against kids, but we want to level that playing field as best we can for every one of them.”

Education & Professional Development

–  Executive Program for Nonprofit Leadership / Stanford University

–  Certificate for Fund Raising Executives (CFRE)

–  Leadership Omaha / Greater Omaha Chamber

–  Nonprofit Executive Institute / Nonprofit Association of the Midlands

–  Policy Leadership Academy / First Five Nebraska

–  Masters of Arts in Management / Bellevue University

–  Bachelor of Journalism / University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Honors

–  Distinguished Alumni Award / Leadership Omaha

–  Afterschool Advocate Award / Lights On Afterschool & Collective For Youth

–  Catalyst Award for Kids Can / Nonprofit Association of the Midlands

–  Gratitude Award for Kids Can / Baird Holm

Throughout his career, Robert has been active with a number of nonprofit boards including Give Nebraska, North Omaha Area Health, Komen Great Plains, Digg Site Productions, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, and Friends of Planned Parenthood.

“My most rewarding time as a volunteer is being a mentor to Brian, first through Kids Can and now at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Brian and I have been together over nine years now. I see him more than a friend now, he is family.”

Robert believes in playing as hard as you work and has many favorite hobbies and pastimes.  He is a true “set jetter” by researching and visiting locations from his favorite films and photographing them and publishing on his Set-Jetter website as well as occasional videos for blu-rays.  And if you know Robert at all, you are aware he is one of Madonna’s biggest fans, following her around the continent on her tours and has seen her sixty times in concert.