Lifetime of Achievement: American Red Cross’ Noel Anderson

The peaceful Midwestern state of Kansas is home to history like the Pony Express National Historic Trail, plentiful farmland that supplies the country with crops and about half of Kansas City. Four-time Super Bowl winners the Kansas City Chiefs bring pride to the state, as does the American Red Cross’ Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Anderson, who earned his degree in Business Communications from the University of Kansas.
Noel Anderson’s career spans more than 20 years of work for nonprofits. He has worked in various roles for organisations including United Way, the University of Kansas Endowment Association and now the American Red Cross.
Noel has been with the organisation since 2006, starting in local state roles including Assistant Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the Kansas region.
The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 as the designated US affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It has been responsible for care after many notable disasters, including the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and the Maui wildfires of 2023.
Founder Clara Barton learned of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland, which inspired her to establish the American chapter. In 1896, Clara became involved in the International Red Cross’ work in the Franco-Prussian War which led to the deaths of more than 150,000 soldiers and civilians. The Red Cross provided aid and supplies to wounded and sick soldiers and Clara was involved in the preparation of military hospitals.
The American Red Cross today responds to an emergency every eight minutes and provides first aid, CPR and AED training to nearly 6,000 people each day. Each year, it collects nearly 4.5 million blood donations which save lives and treat a variety of conditions.
On top of its first aid and disaster response efforts, the American Red Cross provides more than 540,000 services to service members, veterans and their families each year.
Noel Anderson: Dedicated to nonprofit humanitarianism
In 2012, Noel became National Vice President of Development in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Division, leading the overall funding initiatives and strategies in nine states to meet an annual revenue target of nearly US$70m with more than 120 fundraisers.
The Southwest and Rocky Mountain Division covers 12 states from Nevada to Louisiana. Kansas alone has two local chapters, one service centre and three blood donation centres.
Noel then moved on to become National Vice President for Humanitarian Operations. He provided strategic planning, project management oversight and operational support to local Red Cross chapters across the United States.
Every day, the organisation’s workforce of more than 90% volunteers work tirelessly to help families and communities recover from disasters such as floods, hurricanes and droughts. These disasters are increasing in frequency due to climate change.
Noel says: “The American Red Cross is in unprecedented times.
“Our position as a disaster response organisation puts us on the frontlines of extreme weather and the climate crisis every single day.
“This is pretty motivating and inspiring, making sure that we're not adding to the climate-caused disasters that are out there.”
Pioneering nonprofit sustainability
In 2021, Noel moved into his current role of Chief Sustainability Officer. He oversees the Red Cross’ commitment to reduce the impact of climate change through integrating a climate-centric approach to mission advancement.
Transportation, logistics and even waste from supplies like blood bags can have a negative impact on the environment. American Red Cross staff and volunteers are supporting those impacted by natural disasters daily, so the organisation wants to avoid contributing to the problem.
“We're always trying to find ways to be innovative and creative — some of those work, some don't — but we know that we need to do that to be able to be successful,” he says.
Under Noel’s leadership, the American Red Cross has implemented a robust plan to minimise its environmental impact and become the first known humanitarian non-profit to publish a comprehensive ESG report in 2022.
The organisation reports that in the last 10 years, more than 8.5 million people were displaced in the US due to the climate crisis. These disasters have a disproportionate impact on diverse communities, people with disabilities, older adults and low-income families.
As the country’s largest provider of emergency sheltering, the Red Cross works one-on-one with people impacted to help them recover from disasters. It says the most significant recovery needs it sees revolve around chronic health conditions, food insecurity and the availability of affordable and safe housing.
Celebrating a sustainability champion
Noel was honoured with the Lifetime of Achievement Award at the Global Sustainability and ESG Awards 2024 at Sustainability LIVE London.
“It’s not just about me, it’s really about the entire Red Cross community,” Noel said in an interview afterwards. “It's a representation of all we’ve accomplished so far.”
Noel impressed the judges with his approach to sustainability, diversity and, in particular, humanitarian aid.
“His dedication to the prevention and alleviation of human suffering is highlighted by the 19 years he has spent at the American Red Cross,” says Glen White, CEO of BizClik and Sustainability Magazine.
“His passion has had a truly global impact and he has prioritised sustainability within that. A truly passionate, impactful leader.”
Steven Downes, Editor-in-Chief, Sustainability Magazine, adds: “Noel richly deserves this award. He is an inspirational leader at the Red Cross — and a man who is setting the sustainability benchmark for other NGOs.”
Despite being humbled on receiving this award and reflecting on the impact of his career, the work for Noel carries on.
Looking ahead, he aspires to continue reducing the American Red Cross’ environmental impact and helping people affected by climate change.
Noel says: “We've got some pretty concrete planes in place to reduce our carbon footprint, waste and our water use.
“This gives us the opportunity to really go into harder sectors and make some inroads in spaces that we haven't been able to address to date.”
To read the full story in the magazine please click HERE.
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