Alex Bornstein
About

Alex Bornstein

Founder of 44 Fractional. Fractional and interim COO, CFO and CEO for non-profits, foundations and digital asset organizations.

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Alex Bornstein has spent 30 years leading non-profits and mission-driven organizations through growth, turnaround and transition, with operating budgets from $3M to $250M. Boards bring him in to stabilize leadership, realign operations and deliver measurable results.

He founded 44 Fractional to give organizations that experience for the hours they actually need, as a fractional or interim COO, CFO, CEO or Executive Director.

Based in Portland, Oregon, he works remotely with organizations across the US and internationally.

Career highlights

  • 2026–2027

    Transition Advisor and Chief of Staff

    US-based open-source technology foundation · through January 2027

    Leading the handover to the Executive Director I recruited: serving as chief of staff while the new leader settles in, transferring board, finance, compliance and partner relationships, and keeping operations steady through the change.

  • 2025–2026

    Interim, then Executive Director

    Same foundation

    Extended runway from ~1 year to ~11 and grew USD reserves 650%. Completed an eight-year flagship software effort. Zero staff attrition through the transition.

  • 2021–2025

    Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff

    Same foundation · $6M budget

    Oversaw $16M in grants and cut grant decision times 50%. Kept 98% of key staff in a competitive market. Full compliance across 14 international regulators.

  • 2023–present

    Fractional CEO

    Cayman-based technology foundation

    Chose the jurisdiction from 14 options and built the foundation from scratch. It now administers more than $130M in grant treasury for five programs.

  • 2016–2021

    Executive Director

    Chill Global · $3M budget · 24 locations

    Grew youth served 96%, programs 200%, fundraising 180% and grant revenue 300%. Led a global strategic plan across ten countries.

  • 2014–2016

    Chief Operating Officer

    Vermont Foodbank · $17M budget

    Increased food distributed 31% and fresh produce 68%, cut waste 82% and cost per pound 16%, and launched a fresh-produce program at 30+ high-need sites.

  • 2003–2014

    Chief Supply Chain Officer and Deputy VP

    International Rescue Committee · $250M budget across 46 countries

    Built a global supply chain department for 40% annual growth. Cut procurement costs 20% and audit findings 98%, in war zones and disaster response.

Certifications and education

  • Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), ACAMS, 2025
  • Certified Cryptoasset Anti-Financial Crime Specialist (CCAS), ACAMS, 2024
  • Interim Executive Director Training, Support Center (NY), 2021
  • Graduate Certificate, Organizational Change and Consulting, University of Missouri
  • B.S., Organizational Leadership, Charter Oak State College

Board service

  • Board advisor to two technology foundations
  • Former board president of a public library
  • Former board and committee member for community non-profits, including a food shelf, a community bike shop, a sailing center and a local sustainability group

How I work

Adviser and operator

I don't just recommend; I do the work, so leaders can put their time into the mission.

Privacy by default

Your systems, your keys and your records stay yours, with access limited to what the work needs.

Built to hand over

Every engagement ends with written policies, a handover plan and people ready to carry the work.

Talk through your situation.

Tell me about your organization and what needs attention.

Email [email protected]