Robert Brent Stanley (August 18, 1958–August 1, 2026)
ASPET mourns the loss of Robert Brent Stanley, who served as its chief financial officer. Brent joined ASPET in May 2022, bringing with him decades of nonprofit financial leadership. He oversaw finance, information technology, human resources and office services. He also served as the staff liaison to the ASPET Council and the Finance and Investment committees.
He was instrumental in launching the ASPET Value Proposition Working Group and believed strongly in ASPET’s mission and potential for growth, encouraging continued investment in fundraising and giving. Brent’s mantra that strong organizations planned carefully for the future, while continuing to invest in the people and work that mattered, is the reason ASPET has capitalized on opportunities to expand our ambitious work into the future.
That attention to the future could also be seen in very practical ways. Brent led the planning for the renovation of ASPET’s headquarters, with careful attention to everything from the durability and comfort of finishes to the artwork that would be displayed on the walls. He wanted the space to reflect the organization occupying it, including ASPET’s history, its leaders and the work of its members, all of which he felt deserved to be visible.
For those who worked with him, however, his contributions to ASPET cannot be captured by a list of responsibilities. Brent’s door was always open, and colleagues knew they could go to him with a problem and find him willing to listen. Sometimes the issue was professional; sometimes personal. He supported his colleagues through difficult situations, life changes and personal crises, and he did so with discretion and genuine concern. He understood that creating a healthy workplace required that people be respected, supported and appreciated.
In the summer, he brought us ice cream bars; in the winter, Mardi Gras beads and King cake. He treated us to chocolate-covered almonds and the occasional conversation about the restorative properties of having a drink with a good meal. He had a dry sense of humor and an ability to make people laugh without losing sight of whatever serious matter was at hand. Conversations could begin with budgets, investments, or an organizational problem…and end somewhere entirely different. His warmth was evident in the way he made room for human connection.
We will remember the financial leader who encouraged us to plan boldly for the organization’s future. We will remember the colleague who cared about creating a workplace where people could do good work and enjoy being together. We will remember the open office door, the humor, the conversations and the many acts of consideration that never appeared in his job description.
Most of all, we will remember Brent for the lasting contribution he made to ASPET and for the care he showed the people he worked with.
ASPET extends its sincere condolences to his spouse, Sam Burroughs, his family and friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.