Ralph E. Grunewald is executive vice president of Research!America. As the organization's second-highest executive, he oversees many key functions including fundraising, membership development, financial management, and administration.
Prior to joining Research!America, Grunewald served as executive vice president at Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the world's largest Jewish campus organization. As one of its top three professionals, he set institutional priorities and strategic direction, managed several key departments and integrated Hillel's five-year strategic plan into day-to-day operations and programs.
In addition to his work at Hillel, Grunewald has served as executive director at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where he oversaw the strategic and tactical goals of the organization's representation before Congress and state legislative and regulatory bodies. Under his leadership, membership increased by nearly 50 percent and financial reserves grew significantly. He also worked for 11 years at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, first as deputy director and counsel of The Campaign to Remember, where he played a central role in completing its capital campaign, and then as director of external affairs, serving as the primary liaison with foreign governments and international organizations, among other responsibilities.
Grunewald earned his JD and MA in Public Affairs from George Washington University and his BA in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego.