Alex J. Plinio

Co-Founder - Institute for Ethical Leadership & the Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership Rutgers Business School, Newark NJ

In addition to his prior position as a faculty member of Rutgers Business School and currently as President of Life & Career Planning LLC, a consulting firm that coaches and advises students, managers and leaders on Life and Career Planning and executives and their boards on strategic planning and board development, Alex is the Co-Founder of the Institute for Ethical Leadership and the Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership at Rutgers Business School.  In these multiple capacities, Alex coaches and mentors leaders, emerging leaders and students.  Formerly, Alex was the President/CEO of AFS-USA, the largest nonprofit international and intercultural student exchange program in the United States doing business in 50 countries around the world.  He previously held senior executive positions at Prudential Financial in the areas of insurance, investments, financial services and public affairs and was CEO for Prudential Annuity Services, a billion dollar revenue retirement products business.  His business experience includes executive positions in marketing, operations and administration, change management and start-ups.  Alex launched and served as President of the Prudential Foundation, a philanthropic organization known for expanding education, supporting social services and helping community-based initiatives to combat poverty.  

Alex has served his community by founding and serving on the boards of many organizations devoted to community and economic development, youth, education and the arts. He served as Chairman of the Newark Collaboration Group and as a founding board member of the Governor's Schools of New Jersey, and nationally with Gifts in Kind Inc. and the Independent Sector. Alex also served on the Board of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, the Corporate Advisory Groups of the Council on Foundations, the Conference Board, the United Negro College Fund, the national United Way, and the boards of the Alliance for International and Intercultural Education, the Association for International Practical Training.

As a faculty member, business leader, board member, consultant and executive coach, Alex is frequently invited to speak at professional convenings and management retreats.  He has authored and contributed to publications including Resource Raising:  The Role of Non Cash Contributions in Corporate Philanthropy, the International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, and was a regular columnist for Fundraising Management Magazine.  Among his many honors, Alex is the recipient of the Private Sector Initiatives Award from the President of the United States and the Rutgers Outstanding Alumnus Award.  He was honored by Thomas Edison State University with the Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, for his distinguished record of state and national service. Alex is a veteran having honorably served in the United States Airforce.