About the Author
Rob Acton is a Top 100 Impact CEO who has helped thousands of busy professionals become Causies.
Rob Acton
Rob Acton is the Founder and CEO of Cause Strategy Partners, a professional services firm that connects Fortune 500 executives and employees to nonprofit board leadership opportunities. Cause Strategy Partners works at the intersection of nonprofits and corporations to recruit and inspire a diverse and talented community of professionals who are interested in connecting to purpose.
A nationally recognized expert in nonprofit governance, Rob encourages people to find, follow, and serve their cause through high-impact board leadership. Through his writing, teaching, speaking, and guest lectures, Rob inspires busy professionals and community leaders to become Causies — people who embrace the deeply fulfilling work of creating a more just, vibrant, and equitable world.
Rob chairs the Board of Directors of Broadway Inspirational Voices in New York City, where he resides. His causes are second chances for formerly incarcerated individuals, nonprofit capacity building, and the performing arts.
A Book with Purpose
Rob wrote Becoming a Causie to fill a need he saw in the nonprofit volunteering & board service space. Even though Cause Strategy Partners has already enabled thousands of professionals in the US and the UK to get elected to high-impact nonprofit boards, the reality is, his firm will never reach all of the busy, talented professionals out there who are primed and ready for nonprofit board service.
Becoming a Causie is Rob’s solution for professionals who want to maximize their impact. It’s a step-by-step guide to becoming an agent of change — despite the already full lives that these driven, talented people lead. It’s his way of reaching out to inspire the world’s professionals beyond those he can connect to their cause via the company he leads.
A Book to Experience
While many books have been written about effective board service, none have been written by someone in Rob’s position — a leader who has helped thousands of professionals find their cause and focus their passion and prepare themselves to be effective leaders before they take their first board seat — and someone who works at the highest levels of the nonprofit volunteering, board service, and leadership sector.
Woven throughout Becoming a Causie are Rob’s own story and real-life examples of impressive professionals from all walks of life who have transformed their passion into powerful advocacy through board leadership.
Rob has served as the Founder & CEO of Cause Strategy Partners since 2015 — a professional services firm that connects executives and employees of Fortune 500 companies and professional services firms to nonprofit board leadership opportunities.
Cause Strategy Partners is a Certified B Corporation that meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency.
Through the BoardLead program Rob created Cause Strategy Partners has become the world's largest nonprofit board placement organization — a true leader in this work with a unique national scale and international presence in the nonprofit volunteering, board service, and leadership space.
A former adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law, he is a lawyer with a unique perspective on the nonprofit sector who is frequently invited to speak at industry events. Also a former adjunct professor at North Park University and a regular guest lecturer at the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, he is committed to training the next generation of social impact leaders.
Named a Top Impact CEO by Big Path Capital in 2022, Rob is on the first list to honor the 100 most impactful leaders sparking positive environmental and social change through the fast-growing private companies they run. He is a business leader who has scaled a proven approach to effective board placement, training and support.
Rob is a recognized expert on nonprofit board service and leadership. He presents regularly at Fortune 500 companies and professional service firms, as well as at sector-wide convenings and has presented to thousands of business professionals interested in learning how to discover their cause and serve it through board leadership.
Rob has three decades of experience founding, leading, and scaling social impact organizations as a business leader, a nonprofit chief executive, and a board member. He served for 11 years as Executive Director of two nonprofit organizations: Taproot Foundation in New York City and Cabrini Green Legal Aid in Chicago. Under Rob’s leadership, Cabrini Green Legal Aid received the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence.
Rob has served on numerous Boards of Directors, Advisory Boards, and Statewide Commissions over the years. He is currently the Board Chair of Broadway Inspirational Voices and serves on the Board of Directors of Nonprofit New York. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Parkes Philanthropy.
Kudos for Rob
Rob's passion for social impact is contagious. He will motivate and empower you to make a difference as a nonprofit board leader.
Matt Lashey
Creator & CEO of Wave Health & CEO at Treatment Technologies & Insights, Inc.
Rob is one of our country’s most experienced guides for professionals wanting to step into board service."
Dr. Laura Zumdahl
President & CEO, New Moms
Rob Acton is the person that restored my faith in the non-profit sector. (...) He gets things done for organizations that change lives.
Adam Stanley
Corporate Board Member, Real Estate Advisor & Entrepreneur
Rob Acton's deep understanding of effective nonprofit board service not only helps individuals learn how to live their purpose, but also helps to build a stronger nonprofit sector.
Gary Bagley
Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
Speaking Engagements
Rob has presented at Fortune 500 companies and professional service firms, as well as at nonprofit conferences, and is a regular guest on cause-focused podcasts. He has also presented to thousands of business professionals interested in learning how to discover their cause and serve it through board leadership.
A former adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law and North Park University, and a regular guest lecturer at the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, Rob is a popular and frequent speaker at industry events.
Contact Erin Pierson to discuss opportunities to speak at your event or conference.
Join the Causie Community
If you’re a busy professional looking to connect with your cause, contact Cause Strategy Partners today.