Experience

Paul Mattessich, PhD, served as executive director of Wilder Research from 1982 to 2022. He built a research team (now about 80 people) from diverse disciplines, who work with others – locally, nationally, and internationally – to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Paul lectures frequently throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, especially on topics of organization and service effectiveness, collaboration/partnerships, and major social trends. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications.


In 2017, he brought the Speaking for Ourselves study, conducted in collaboration with immigrant and refugee groups in Minnesota, to the international Metropolis conference in The Hague, The Netherlands. He has consulted for 20 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland with youth development and civic engagement organizations that promote democratic skills to bring communities together and to resolve conflict. The Community Indicators Consortium awarded Paul their 2018 Hall of Heroes award.

He has served on the boards of the Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic and of Minnesota Community Measurement. He served as the first Chair of the Community Oversight Board, and has helped to develop that group to promote best research ethics in studies conducted by the University of Minnesota.


Paul taught from 2012 through 2020 in the Department of Youth Studies, School of Social Work, at the University of Minnesota. He earned his doctorate in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, and holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from New York University.


Paul authored The Manager's Guide to Program Evaluation (now in its 2nd ed.). He co-authored Collaboration: What Makes it Work (3rd ed.). He hosted the Talking Through the Numbers podcast for several years, and he has kept a blog since 2005.


Paul loves the theater. He served for twelve years on the Park Square Theatre Board of Directors, including three years as Chair. When he is not spending time with his seven grandchildren, you will find him attending shows in Minnesota, New York, London, and elsewhere!

I really enjoy working to improve organizations and communities. Taking a look at how things work and what can make things better - whether routine or challenging - it's always fun to help program developers, policymakers, educators, and community leaders.


Whether you need a short consultation or a long-term strategy, I am happy to speak with you about how I can help to increase your work's impact.



Relevant Reading

Planning for Retirement

Planning for you retirement isn't as complicated as it might seem. [...]

Planning for College

Financial futures for parents often includes some type of college fund.[...]

Protecting Your Assets

Find out these 3 simple steps to help protect all of your assets. [...]

About - A Brief Bio Statement

Executive director, emeritus, wilder research

work with paul