Don Blandin

Don Blandin was appointed president and CEO of the Investor Protection Trust (IPT) in June 2004. The Investor Protection Trust is a nonprofit organization devoted to investor education. Over half of all Americans are now invested in the securities markets, making investor education and protection vitally important. Since 1993 the Investor Protection Trust has worked with the States to provide the independent, objective investor education needed by all Americans to make informed investment decisions.
As an association executive with over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of non-profit and government sectors, Blandin brings significant involvement and knowledge in critical national and international issues including investor education and financial literacy.
From 1996 to 2004 Don was president of the American Savings Education Council (ASEC). Established in July 1995, ASEC is a coalition of private- and public-sector institutions that undertakes initiatives to raise public awareness about what is needed to ensure long-term personal financial independence. From 1981 to 1994, Don was at the Business-Higher Education Forum, including eight years as director from 1986 to 1994. The Forum, a group of corporate CEOs and university presidents, identified and acted on issues of mutual concern to the business and academic communities. Issues addressed during Don’s tenure included international competitiveness, technological innovation, education and training, the environment, and the economy.

Don has also served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, from 1977 to 1981; Executive Director of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, from 1972 to1977; Executive Staff Assistant in the Office of the Governor, California Council on Intergovernmental Relations, from 1970 to1971; and just prior to joining ASEC, Don served nine months as Executive Vice President of the Council for Excellence in Government.
Don has served on several boards including the Certified Financial PLannerTM Board of Standards as a member of the CFP® Board of Governors and chairman of its national Consumer Advisory Council. Don currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.
Don was an appointed delegate to both the 1998 and 2002 White House/Congressional National Summits on Retirement Savings, hosted by the President and Congressional leaders. Don is a founding member and the first national director of Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honorary society for public administration.
As an expert in the areas of financial and investor education and on private- and public-sector coalition building, Don is frequently asked to speak at conferences, seminars, and other events. He has also been featured in numerous radio and television broadcast segments and publications such as NBC’s Today Show, CNN, Bloomberg Radio, National Public Radio, ABC News, FOX News, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, Reader’s Digest, New York Times, Money, Time, Business Week, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Fortune, Black Enterprise, The Washington Post, Parenting, Associated Press, and CBS MarketWatch. In addition, Don has testified before Congress for both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives on issues related to financial literacy and education.
Don holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from California State University, East Bay, and a Master of Public Administration degree from The American University in Washington, DC.
Don and his wife, Nanette, reside in Washington, DC. They have a son, Devon and daughter,
Sara.