Making a Difference: Ian Adair, ACNP, CEO of the Seattle Police Foundation

Ian Adair, MS, ACNP, four time nonprofit CEO and one of the first 50 professionals in the country to earn the Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP) credential (a designation now held by hundreds in the United States), made the bold decision to move across the country for the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Seattle Police Foundation, a position that sits squarely at the intersection of trust, trauma, and transformation. 

“I was very impressed with the work the Foundation was doing to support officers and cultivate meaningful relationships with the community,” he said. “The ability to help strengthen community-police relations and invest in officer wellness, civic development programs, and training initiatives was incredibly appealing to me.” 

Ian’s role builds on a leadership journey that has spanned over three decades, across multiple states, and through some of the most pressing issues facing communities. From youth development to mental health and equity in education. And no matter the location or title, Ian’s approach has stayed the same: lead with empathy, listen first, and build trust that lasts. 

A New Role

Seattle’s recent history around policing, protest, and public discourse is complex and emotional. But for Ian, it also represents a chance to engage stakeholders where they are, not just where they wish to be, to improve communication and partnership efforts. 

Founded in 2002, the Seattle Police Foundation supports public safety in Seattle through philanthropy, advocacy, and building strong community partnerships. It funds under- and unfunded program and capital expenses of the Seattle Police Department that fall outside of the city’s budget. In addition, the Foundation provides funding to officers and civilian staff through program grants that emphasize community building, crime prevention, officer wellness, and support to children and families in need. 

“The overall depth of work the Foundation supports deeply resonated with me,” he said. “What really attracted me to the role was the chance to help build trust between law enforcement and the community. Especially in a time when that trust has been challenged.” “The opportunity to expand the public-private partnership with the Seattle Police Department and support their ability to serve Seattle’s public safety needs,” was one Ian said he was looking forward to. 

Ian approaches this work with questions, with humility, and with the belief that progress happens in building meaningful relationships and partnerships. “The challenges are big, but so is the opportunity,” he said. “We’re in a place where we can build real trust and create something impactful that serves everyone: officers, area neighborhoods, and the broader business community.” 

The Power of Showing Up (and Speaking Up) 

Ian’s national voice on mental health and leadership hasn’t just emerged in conference ballrooms or TEDx stages. It’s grown out of his own lived experience. In a sector that’s often fueled by self-sacrifice, he’s become one of its clearest advocates for setting healthier standards. “I think our sector continues to experience burnout at a level that is alarming,” he said. “We ask so much of our nonprofit professionals, yet we don’t always equip them with the resources or support systems they need.” 

“When I started sharing my own mental health journey and the impact addiction and mental illness had on my life, I didn’t know how people would respond,” he said. “But what happened was that people came forward after every presentation and said, ‘Thank you. I thought I was the only one dealing with or impacted by this. That’s when I realized the power of vulnerability in leadership.” 

Ian has presented at more than 200 conferences, including some of the largest nonprofit leadership and fundraising events in the country. He’s also been featured in publications like Advancing Philanthropy and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, sharing his perspective on everything from mental health to employee engagement and leadership. 

A Credential and a Calling 

In a sector where burnout is often treated as a badge of honor, Ian’s approach is rare. His leadership is rooted in intention. Choosing to show up fully, even when the systems he’s navigating are imperfect or under-resourced. That honesty has turned him into a sought-after speaker, mentor, and guide for others navigating their own career through a sector that can be as demanding as it is rewarding. 

As a current Advanced CNP, he credits those experiences with shaping not just his skills, but his worldview. “The CNP credential gave me a baseline to understand what the sector needed from leaders,” Ian said. “And it gave me an opportunity to show people that I had invested in that knowledge.” For him, the CNP credential was never about recognition; it was about fluency. “The CNP gave me a professional foundation I didn’t have before. It helped me understand the broader ecosystem of the sector. Not just fundraising or programming, but the full spectrum of what it takes to run a successful nonprofit organization.” Ian likes to emphasize to sector leaders, “That leadership today is about taking care of the people responsible for the work, not just the work itself.” 

Ian’s leadership has been nationally recognized: named one of the “30 Nonprofit Leaders Who Will Impact the World” by Causeartist and one of the “Top 100 Charity Industry Influencers” by Onalytica. 

Leading Beyond a Resume 

At this point in his career, Ian could easily rest on his accolades, but his message to emerging nonprofit leaders is surprisingly simple. “Be willing to grow, be willing to fail, and be willing to listen,” he said. “This work isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. If you want to make a difference, the nonprofit sector is where you can do it.” His advice isn’t performative – it’s lived. It’s not about perfection. It’s about preparation, persistence, and purpose. 

The landscape of nonprofit leadership is constantly shifting and developing. With persistent challenges related to funding, program resources, and employee development, leading nonprofits today has become increasingly more difficult and demanding work. 

Ian’s advice, “Find fulfillment in the process of your everyday work. Laugh at the ridiculous, navigate the nonsense, and enjoy the climb more than the view from the top. Because you will have way more climbs than views in your career, so enjoy those moments more and find meaning in them.” 

Though he and his family spent eight years on the East Coast, returning to Seattle felt like coming home. With deep ties to the Pacific Northwest, Ian brings not only experience but a personal investment in the region’s future. So, whether he’s sitting with officers in Seattle, speaking to students in Kansas City, or sharing his own mental health or leadership story from a stage, Ian Adair continues to be the kind of leader the nonprofit sector desperately needs. One who shows up with both heart and experience. 

Inspired by Ian’s story? Join the national movement of purpose-driven professionals with the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential! 

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