John T. Osterlund
General Manager, The Rotary Foundation

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, John Osterlund grew up in Sebring, Florida.  After graduating from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Political Science, John became interested in the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship program.  John was awarded a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship for the academic year 1987-88.  With his Scandinavian heritage it was to John's advantage that he was placed at the University of Stockholm.

John received his M.S. degree in History Education from Florida State University.  After graduate school, John moved to Fort Lauderdale to become the Legislative Aide to State Senator Tom McPherson and to be an adjunct history instructor at Broward Community College.  Working in state politics, John gained extensive experience in media relations and fund raising.  John went on to work as the Administrative Assistant to the Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives, Rep. Anne Mackenzie.

The Rotary Foundation is one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States in terms of fundraising and international grantmaking.  As the General Manager of The Rotary Foundation, John oversees the operations of five divisions:  Humanitarian Grant Programs, Educational Programs, PolioPlus, Fund Development, and Planning and Administration.  In 2004-05, The Rotary Foundation was successful in raising $130 million.  John served as the Associate Director of the Foundation’s US$80 million Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign- a campaign conducted in one year which raised US$108 million to further Rotary’s goal of eradicating polio.