Gerald (Jerry) Michaud is a seasoned communications, marketing, and fundraising executive with extensive experience in strategic communications, public relations, brand advancement, and nonprofit leadership. With a career spanning decades, he has successfully led large-scale marketing campaigns, crisis communications efforts, corporate partnerships, and cause marketing initiatives that have raised millions for mission-driven organizations.
Currently, Jerry serves as Executive Vice President at Arcadian Partners, where he leads strategic fundraising and marketing consulting projects, including the EndHungerUSA2030 campaign and brand redevelopment for major organizations. Previously, as Senior Advisor for Communications at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), he directed messaging and crisis communications for the Under Secretary of Health, overseeing some of the largest communications initiatives in VHA history, including the PACT Act outreach campaign and Electronic Health Record Modernization.
Before that, Jerry was Executive Director of VHA’s Office of Communications, leading a 48-member team responsible for VHA’s media strategy, internal and external messaging, social media, and strategic branding. His tenure also included directing VA’s COVID-19 communications response, shaping public trust in Veterans' healthcare through clear, consistent and confident messaging.
Throughout his career, Gerald has held leadership roles in nonprofit and corporate sectors, including senior positions at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Federation of the Blind, and End Hunger Network, where he helped generate over $145 million in fundraising through high-profile campaigns like the Live Aid global concert and "Prime Time to End Hunger." His expertise spans major donor development, corporate sponsorships, media strategy, and digital marketing.
A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and Project Management Professional (PMP), Gerald has received numerous awards for his innovative work in communications and philanthropy, including the United Nations Peace Medal. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Journalism and an M.A. in Religious Studies and Communications from the University of Detroit.
