Colby Reade

About Colby Reade

Colby Reade is a seasoned, strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in communications, media, and organizational strategy. At the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, he leads strategic planning, communications, partnerships, and events and program execution, aligning vision, operations, partnerships, and storytelling to maximize impact. With a background in journalism and public relations, Colby is passionate about driving clarity, alignment, and meaningful change across the nonprofit sector to serve the common good.

Experience

1. Vice President, External Affairs and Strategy

   M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

   Jun 2025 — Present

   Provides senior leadership for a private, nonprofit foundation that invests $100 million annually in grants, programs, convenings, and initiatives serving the Pacific Northwest- Oversees strategic planning and organizational rhythm of business, including the development and implementation of the Trust’s strategic plan, quarterly business review process, departmental roadmaps, and values framework- Leads all internal and external communications efforts, including messaging, media relations, brand positioning, storytelling, social media, digital strategy, email marketing, video, and podcast production- Manages the foundation’s shared service function for events and program execution, producing 35–50 annual convenings ranging from small workshops to large-scale gatherings (10–500 participants)- Directs strategic partnership initiatives, fostering collaborative engagement with local, regional, and national organizations committed to advancing the common good- Serves as a senior advisor to executive leadership, ensuring alignment between strategy, communications, partnerships, and operational execution to maximize organizational impact.

Education

• University of Oregon

  BA, Journalism

  2001 — 2005

• Westview High School

  High School

  1997 — 2001

• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

  Master's degree, Public Relations and Corporate Communications

Skills

• Management
• Marketing
• Investigative Reporting
• Strategic Communications
• Corporate Communications
• Public Speaking
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Broadcast
• Audio Editing
• Publicity
• Social Networking
• Radio Promotions
• Copywriting
• Journalism
• Team Management
• Message Development
• Breaking News
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Storytelling
• Marketing Copy
• Project Management
• Press Releases
• Nonprofits
• Social Media
• Crisis Communications
• Collateral