Welcome, russ pierce
United Methodist Foundation, Inc. (UMFNC) is pleased to announce that The Rev. Russell Pierce will become our next Chief Executive Officer, effective November 16, 2026.
In His Words
“I’m excited to join the United Methodist Foundation of North Carolina because I believe stewardship and generosity are essential to the Church’s mission. Throughout my ministry and nonprofit leadership, I’ve seen how connecting people’s generosity with the ministries they care about can make a lasting difference. I look forward to working with congregations, clergy, donors and ministry partners across North Carolina to strengthen the Church’s capacity to serve communities and live out its calling.”
The Rev. RusseLl Pierce
Chief Executive Officer, United Methodist Foundation, Inc.
About Russ
The Rev. Russell “Russ” Pierce will become Chief Executive Officer of the United Methodist Foundation of North Carolina on November 16, 2026. An ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, he brings more than 25 years of experience serving congregations, denominational ministries, ecumenical organizations and community-based nonprofits.
Russ has served United Methodist congregations ranging from fewer than 20 members to more than 2,200, in rural, suburban, urban and cross-cultural settings. He has also held executive leadership roles with Global Ministries and UMCOR, and with Church World Service, helping faith-rooted organizations strengthen philanthropy, organizational effectiveness and community impact in the United States and abroad.
Russ also continues to serve as an Executive in Residence at Duke Divinity School, where he teaches graduate courses in nonprofit management and leadership with an emphasis on governance, philanthropy and strategy.
Russ holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Wake Forest University.
“My family’s roots in Eastern North Carolina go back more than three centuries. While my life and ministry have taken me across the country and around the world, North Carolina has remained home.”
— Rev. Russell Pierce
Beginning November 16, 2026
Russ brings more than 25 years of ministry and nonprofit leadership to UMFNC. Please join us in welcoming him.