Rob Bull

As president & CEO of The Compass Group, Rob Bull brings his deep expertise and dedication to advancing fundraising excellence to the firm. In this role Rob guides the company’s exceptional consulting services while driving Compass’ strategic growth and development. Rob is a positive change agent, taking a values-driven approach to the evolving world of philanthropy and the mission-based institutions Compass advises.

Rob’s career spans more than three decades of fundraising consultation resulting in nearly $2 billion in philanthropic gifts across the sectors of conservation, education, healthcare, and arts. His experience includes six years with the national consulting firm Ketchum, Inc. where Rob honed his professional fundraising skills. At Ketchum, Rob overlapped with Compass founder Frank Pisch, later joining him as one of Compass’ first employees at the growing consulting firm. Together the two built Compass into a top national fundraising consultancy and in 2019 Rob was appointed president of the firm. In 2024, Rob acquired the company from Frank and he continues to serve as Compass’ strategic leader.

Rob’s resume includes two stints as an in-house fundraiser. He began his career in the advancement office of Washington College where he spent several years collaborating with volunteers, exceeding development goals, and gaining expertise in higher education. Later in his career, Rob joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation as chief development officer, spearheading multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts and facilitating operational excellence.

In addition to his role as a seasoned fundraiser and consultant, Rob is an educator, teaching individuals and institutions next-level success through his dynamic speaking, presenting, and lecturing in the classroom and beyond.

A longtime champion of historic sites focused on African American heritage, Rob also serves as an official lecturer for both the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Through these roles, Rob engages with sites nationwide to impact outreach and elevate fundraising capabilities of these small yet significant organizations.

Rob’s volunteer experience also underscores his dedication to fundraising. He serves as a trustee for his alma mater Goucher College and is currently co-chairing the College’s Undaunted campaign, which recently surpassed its $100 million fundraising goal. He is a former president of the Alumnae/i Association of Goucher College and former chair of The Greater Goucher Fund. Rob also serves on the Board of Directors for the League of Historic American Theatres and is a member of the Leadership Institute Faculty for the Southeastern Museums Conference.

Rob holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Antioch University New England and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Arts Administration from Goucher College. He has completed coursework at Antioch University in pursuant of his doctoral degree within the Graduate School of Leadership and Change.