Who we are
With dedicated leaders who have backgrounds in charitable giving, nonprofit advising, and financial management, PEF’s team is both deeply passionate about our work and richly experienced. We’ve been innovating together on the future of philanthropy for more than a decade.
Founding leadership
Patrick Sampson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Patrick is the President & Executive Director of the Philanthropic Expansion Fund (PEF™).
Patrick is also the president, co-founder, and CEO of COGEO. COGEO is a for-profit firm that specializes in capacity building and fundraising for tax-exempt organizations.
From 2010-2012, Patrick was a registered investment advisor with Sampson Investment Management in Danville, CA. There, he co-managed $65mm of client investments and performed client financial planning services.
In 2012, Patrick co-founded COGEO (which started as COGOSTAR). Since its founding, the company has attracted individuals collectively with more than 80 years of development and fundraising industry experience, raising over $1B for more than 300 tax-exempt organizations globally.
Rob Kusel
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Rob is the Managing Director of Consulting Services at COGEO and PEF.
From 2002–2004, Rob was the Director of Development and External Affairs for Blue Oak School, the first independent school in the Napa Valley, CA. There, he raised more than $10M for facilities and endowment.
Prior to Blue Oak, Rob spent 5 years as an executive with companies that specialized in developing web-based programs to assist tax-exempt organizations in achieving membership-relation and fundraising success. His institutional advancement experience includes a 4-year stint as Director of Development for Major Gifts at Stanford University.
Before Stanford, Rob was the director of the 6-year $103M Centennial Campaign for The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, then the largest capital campaign undertaken by an independent school globally. He has been a volunteer fundraiser for Williams College, his alma mater, since graduation.
Chelsi Straubinger
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Chelsi rose from an entry-level role at COGEO to COO of both COGEO and PEF, a testament to her exceptional capabilities and command of both organizations’ ecosystems.
Chelsi’s background gives her a unique lens on the tax-exempt organization landscape. She brings a strong understanding of legal and societal systems, which informs her approach to compliance, governance, and strategic operations. Chelsi has helped more than 200 tax-exempt organizations find focus not just in what they do, but in how they ethically and efficiently do it.
Chelsi’s specialties are in major gifts, grant writing, project management, consulting, data management, and communications.
Interested in working with us?
We’re not actively hiring, but we’re always keeping an eye out for good talent. Send us your resumé and a note about your interest at careers@pe.fund
