Specializes in human rights, geopolitical risk, and stakeholder engagement

Rich Stazinski is executive director and co-founder of Heartland Initiative, where he leads the organization’s efforts to engage and advise institutional investors, policymakers, civil society organizations, and business leadership. Rich has more than 20 years of experience conducting geopolitical research and analysis, designing and leading advocacy campaigns, and providing strategic leadership to nonprofit organizations. Prior to co-founding Heartland, Rich served as the Vice President of the Telos Group, where he advised and built coalitions among many of the leading human rights defenders in the Middle East, Europe, and United States on U.S. advocacy efforts. Rich has served in nonprofit and governmental advocacy leadership positions with the Save Darfur Coalition, Citizens for Global Solutions, the Stanley Foundation, and the Human Resources Investment Council for the State of Indiana. Rich is a native of Northwest Indiana, where he began his professional career as the campaign manager for (retired) U.S. Representative Peter J. Visclosky. 

Rich holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University and a Master of Public Affairs degree in Nonprofit Management and International Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.