Title Executive Connector Company Social Venture Partners Seattle Bio Paul Shoemaker is SVP Seattle’s Executive Connector. Anyone who’s met him knows why. If you’re out to change the world, he’s there to connect you to the people and organizations on that same journey. (He’s also the boss, so he does a little executive directing as well.) Paul is committed to work in the community, serving on the boards of several organizations. He is the Founding President of Social Venture Partners International and currently sits on their Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Partners for Our Children. Past work includes a term as Board Treasurer of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (2001-2007), as well as board service for the Microsoft Alumni Foundation (2008-2013) Children’s Alliance in Seattle (1996-2000) and Treepeople in Los Angeles (1987-1990). In 2011 and 2012, Paul was named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential People in the Non-Profit Sector” by The NonProfit Times. In 2013 he received the Red Winged Leadership Award from Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, and the Philanthropist of the Year Award from Future in Review. Before coming to SVP Seattle in 1998, Paul was group manager for worldwide operations at Microsoft Corporation and developed a group of 22 direct marketing professionals and implemented a direct marketing infrastructure. Prior to his work at Microsoft, Paul was a Product Manager at Nestle USA in Glendale, CA. Paul holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Texas and a BBA in Accounting from Iowa State University. Paul enjoys life with his wife and three sons, and is an avid sports fan, especially of his own kids’ teams, and “enjoys” his hobby as a high school basketball referee.