Paul Mattessich

Paul Mattessich

Paul Mattessich has worked in the fields of human services, social policy, and social research since 1973. In 1982, he became executive director of Wilder Research and has served as a member of the Wilder Foundation's senior leadership team since then. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 publications. He has also served on a variety of government and nonprofit boards of directors and special task forces.Paul lectures frequently throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, especially on topics of organizational effectiveness, collaboration/partnerships, and major social trends that will affect our future. He worked for a year in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with organizations that promote the development of democratic skills to bring communities together and to resolve conflict through nonviolent means. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota.

Homelessness: Can we “cure” it? Should we care?

By Paul Mattessich (Wilder Moments) | June 3, 2010

In Minnesota, a state blessed with resources, should we have 13,000 or more people who are homeless, nearly half of whom are under age 21? What if we could solve the problem for a thousand homeless people, at a cost of $1.75 per year, per state resident? I know that we want “no new taxes,” but might such an investment have some value?
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Respecting different perspectives and demanding hard evidence

By Paul Mattessich (Wilder Moments) | May 10, 2010

“We need an educated citizenry that values hard evidence.”

“The practice of listening to opposing views is essential to democracy.”

Barak Obama’s opponents, supporters, and those in-between should find inspiration in his speech to the graduates of the University of Michigan this past weekend.

Obama encouraged members of our nation to “learn what it’s like to walk in some Continue Reading

A lifelong “fight for justice”

By Paul Mattessich (Wilder Moments) | April 26, 2010

“She waged a fight for justice” — stated the headline in the Pioneer Press for its story about Katie McWatt, a longtime Saint Paul community leader. I first met Katie in about 1978, when I became involved in some initiatives in the Summit-University area. Continue Reading

Progress for ALL — making it together

By Paul Mattessich (Wilder Moments) | April 19, 2010

Do Minnesotans systematically look at the needs of our communities, collaborate to address them, and make progress in moving our quality of life in a positive direction? If forced to respond yes or no, I would have to say “no.” Continue Reading

Wilder Moments

By Paul Mattessich | April 19, 2010

Paul Mattessich became executive director of Wilder Research in 1982 and has served as a member of the Wilder Foundation’s senior leadership team since then. Continue Reading

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