Paul Mattessich is the Executive Director of Wilder Research, a nonprofit research organization which is part of the Wilder Foundation and which conducts program evaluation and other research related to human service programs, policies, and trends.  It has a staff of more than 70 people who work on more than 150 projects, studies, and community initiatives every year.

Dr. Mattessich began doing applied social research in 1973.  He consults with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and government throughout North America and in Europe.  He has authored or co-authored more than two hundred publications and reports.  His book, Collaboration:  What Makes It Work, is widely recognized and used by leaders and practitioners in health promotion, community development, and other fields.  His book, The Manager’s Guide to Program Evaluation, is described as “An outstanding guidebook for managers and decision makers in the hands-on design and management of an evaluation process.”