Larry Olmstead is a leadership consultant and retired president and CEO of United Way of Northern California, where he led the organization through dramatic growth and humanitarian impact during wildfires, the pandemic, and regional crises. A former journalist and media executive, he helped lead the Miami Herald to two Pulitzer Prizes, was a Pulitzer finalist for his Africa reporting with the Detroit Free Press and shared in the New York Times’ Pulitzer-winning coverage of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Larry has an extensive background in human resources and organizational development and has taught in executive development programs at Harvard and Northwestern. Outside of work, his major pastime is tennis; an avid player, Larry has served in volunteer leadership roles with the United States Tennis Association and holds several instructor certifications from the Professional Tennis Registry.
Larry studied journalism and political science at George Washington University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Simpson University. Larry is active in community affairs and has served on numerous civic, industry, and non-profit boards. He lives in Redding, California, with his wife, Michele Chandler. For more on Larry and his work, visit www.leadwithlarry.com.
