Ed Wilson

Chief Development Officer

As Chief Development Officer, Ed is responsible for creating and implementing GBH’s fundraising strategy and leading a modern, major gifts focused, comprehensive development program that secures philanthropic support from individuals, families, and institutional sources.

Prior to GBH, Ed was the Chief of Development and Strategic Partnerships at The Trustees of Reservations, the oldest land conservation organization in the US. He has also worked as a Strategic Consultant to the World Monuments Fund based in New York. Until 2013 he was the President and CEO of Earthwatch Institute, supporting the work of more than 70 scientists in 50 countries studying issues ranging from climate change and ecosystems services to oceans and cultural heritage. Through its nine offices worldwide, and over 120 staff, Earthwatch mobilized over 3000 international volunteers annually.

He is actively consulted by other non-profits on fundraising, strategy, governance, private sector partnerships and change management. He has participated on multiple research expeditions around the world. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Boston Committee on Foreign Relations, he has served on various boards and was a founding Director of the Building Bridges Coalition, a Brookings Institution initiative to foster global service. He is also a former Captain in the British Army. He attended Kings College London and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.