(Appleton, WI) – June 11, 2025 – The Basic Needs Giving Partnership is proud to announce Adam O’Doherty as its new Executive Director, bringing with him a track record of transformative leadership, deep personal conviction, and bold vision for collective impact. A seasoned nonprofit executive and systems thinker, Adam has served as a founding CEO and recognized leader across multiple sectors, from public education to United Way organizations. His leadership is consistently defined by advancing equity, building cross-sector partnerships, and scaling sustainable community solutions—values that align seamlessly with Basic Needs Giving Partnership’s mission.

Raised in poverty in North Minneapolis, Adam’s lived experience fuels his passion for mission-driven work and grounds his understanding of the challenges facing underserved communities. He has led organizations to record-breaking growth, from securing $6 million in new rural funding to launching a $120 million opportunity hub initiative. O’Doherty has cultivated inclusive teams, mentored rising leaders, and developed funding models that deliver measurable returns—such as increasing refugee literacy rates by over 30% and supporting ALICE families in achieving homeownership.

Adam most recently served as the President & CEO at United Way Northwest Indiana. Prior to that he served as CEO at United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties (Arizona) and CEO at Partner for Student Success. Relocating to Northeastern Wisconsin region to be closer to family, Adam sees the Basic Needs Giving Partnership as a natural next step in his lifelong commitment to building thriving communities. His unique combination of strategic vision, personal resilience, and community-centered leadership will strengthen the organization’s role as a catalytic force in addressing the root causes of poverty across the region. With Adam’s experience, the Partnership is poised to deepen its partnerships, elevate its impact, and continue building a future where all residents can thrive.

Outgoing Executive Director, Lynn Coriano, was hired in 2021 and has led the organization since then, including its launch as a 501(c)3 in 2023. She has built a solid foundation and is relocating to Denver, CO. Incoming Executive Director O’Doherty shares, “I am attracted to this position for its leadership in uniting nonprofits to tackle local challenges. Collaboration to scale impact excites me, as does the mission of Basic Needs Giving Partnership. The organization is well-positioned to lead efforts to end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.”

Basic Needs Giving Partnership Board Chair and Senior Manager, U.S. Venture Open, Dawn Ruchala adds, “We’re excited to welcome Adam O’Doherty as our new Executive Director. Adam’s lived experience, strategic vision, and deep commitment to equity make him uniquely suited to lead the Basic Needs Giving Partnership into its next chapter. His proven ability to build partnerships and drive systemic change will be key as we deepen our impact across the region.”

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About the Basic Needs Giving Partnership

The Basic Needs Giving Partnership envisions thriving, equitable communities across Northeast Wisconsin. We invest in local and regional solutions that address the root causes of poverty in alignment with our shared values of trust and collaboration, curiosity and learning, and equity with a systems-based approach. The funds raised through the U.S. Venture Open from generous corporations, family foundations, and individuals are granted to support nonprofits providing critical services as well as organizations working to change the systems that hold poverty in place. For more information about the Basic Needs Giving Partnership, please visit our website, bngpwi.org.

U.S. Venture Open

The U.S. Venture Open is the nation’s single largest one-day charitable event dedicated to ending poverty. Funds from the event support the Basic Needs Giving Partnership with a vision to build thriving, equitable communities across Northeast Wisconsin through regional collaborative grants and advocacy. The U.S. Venture Open started in 1986 with 100 golfers and has grown to 1,300 attendees representing 628 partners who golf at regional courses to raise money for programs that help end poverty. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, or visit the U.S. Venture Open website.

Contact Information:
Dawn Ruchala
Board Chair, Basic Needs Giving Partnership
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
[email protected]
920-243-2529