Rick Kennerknecht is not your typical entrepreneur. He carved his name into two very different worlds—first as an outdoorsman and hunting enthusiast, then as a consultant in the philanthropic space. The transition wasn’t just about business. It was personal, purposeful, and entirely self-driven.
The Early Days: Grit and Groundwork
Rick Kennerknecht began in the rugged territory of outdoor sporting and adventure travel. It wasn’t glamorous—at least not in the beginning. He worked through the logistical chaos of coordinating big game hunts, international travel, and high-expectation clients. What he gained wasn’t just experience in the field. It was a crash course in client trust, event coordination, and high-stakes risk management.
These skills would later become the foundation for something entirely different.
Reinventing Purpose: A Shift Toward Philanthropy
At a point when most entrepreneurs might settle into comfort, Rick pivoted. He launched a new initiative focused on helping charities—particularly through benefit auctions, donor engagement, and fundraising strategy. This wasn’t a half-measure. He went all in, designing systems that made charitable events more profitable and sustainable.
What sets Rick apart is his ability to blend high-adrenaline precision with structured fundraising. It’s not common for someone with a background in hunting expeditions to become a trusted name in nonprofit consulting, but that’s exactly what he did.
The Consultant’s Edge
Kennerknecht’s approach is hands-on. He doesn’t just offer advice—he gets involved. From coaching auction teams to developing donation strategies, he brings the kind of logistical sharpness most consultants don’t have. His events are known to run like clockwork, and his involvement typically boosts results without adding chaos.
He’s not flashy. He doesn’t make it about him. The spotlight stays on the cause and the client.
Balancing Reputation and Reality
As with any figure who’s taken risks and reinvented themselves, public opinion on Rick Kennerknecht is mixed. Some admire his drive and transformation. Others remain skeptical, questioning whether his shift from outdoor sports to charity was strategic or sincere.
But Rick seems unbothered by the noise. He continues to operate under the radar—delivering real results for nonprofits that need funding, not fanfare.
Final Word
Rick Kennerknecht isn’t chasing headlines. He’s building something that lasts—quietly, effectively, and with the kind of hard-won insight that only comes from being out in the wild, both literally and professionally. Whether you see him as a reinvented entrepreneur or a mission-focused consultant, one thing is clear: he’s writing his own story, on his own terms.