A Life of Service, Leadership, and Global Compassion
“When people see you are building something grounded in values, it opens the door for collaboration. We are not just supporting organizations; we are building a community.”
That sentence captures Paul Craig’s vision, and it’s exactly what the U4U Foundation is bringing to life.
Paul Craig has built a career on uniting complex systems and transforming them into engines for compassion. He began his path as a registered nurse working in intensive care and emergency departments, while also earning a law degree which gives him a unique lens on healthcare, operations and ethics. In 2014 he was appointed Chief Administrative Officer at Keck Medicine of USC. He retired from that position in 2022.
Now, as Chairman of the U4U Foundation, Paul brings that experience to the frontline of humanitarian work in Ukraine. U4U describes itself as a “collaborative platform that unites organizations working behind the scenes to support Ukraine” by sharing projects, experiences and resources.
Through partnerships across Europe and North America, U4U continues to expand its reach; focusing on healthcare, education and the power of shared values.
Paul’s introduction to the U4U cause came through a conversation with colleagues deeply involved in international health. “I was immediately drawn to the foundation’s commitment to locally led efforts, cultural sensitivity, and transparency. It’s not just about aid—it’s about trust and unity,” he says. That conversation sparked a deeper involvement that would soon lead to his role as Board Chair. Under his leadership, U4U launched a national membership network for Ukrainian relief organizations, helped deliver millions in aid, and built systems to streamline funding, track impact, and ensure accountability.
To Paul, legacy and leadership are about creating lasting, ripple effects. “When people see that you’re building something grounded in values, it opens the door for collaboration,” he notes. “We’re not just supporting organizations—we’re building a community.” Outside of his work with U4U, Paul enjoys cycling, sailing, and spending time with his wife, Mary Jo—a retired nurse and fellow humanitarian. Together, they share a lifelong dedication to service.
When asked what keeps him inspired, Paul reflects, “The work U4U is doing — connecting people, resources, and stories across borders—reminds me what healthcare is ultimately about: dignity, humanity, and hope.”
When values are front and center, partnerships form organically. In Ukraine’s current climate, war, displacement and trauma; this matters more than ever.
Paul Craig
Chairman, U4U Foundation
What is U4U doing under his guidance?
The collective impact of U4U’s network supports healthcare, refugee relief and education across Ukraine.
Through its “Pack the Plane” partner initiative, U4U supports physician training, advanced medical procedures and device donations, bringing US expertise into Ukrainian hospitals.
By creating structures of collaboration rather than just one-off donations, U4U is making resources multiply: when local teams are trained, when systems are updated, when networks exist, change becomes sustainable.
Creating value before volume. Craig’s emphasis is on how well people can work together. The charity isn’t just about “giving supplies,” it’s about creating sustainable change through collaboration.
With a background in nursing, law and healthcare administration, Craig understands both the gritty realities of patient care and the structural mechanics of organizations. That matters when you’re trying to build a “community of care” across geographies, cultures and systems, Bridge-building across sectors is our focus and purpose.
While many charitable efforts often focus on equipment and relief, U4U under Craig’s chairmanship emphasizes platforms, networks and capacity, making sure local professionals are equipped to lead.
When you donate to U4U, you are not only helping cover immediate needs. You are joining a community founded on shared values, collaboration and hope. Paul Craig believes that when you build something grounded in values, the door opens, to new partners, new ideas and greater impact.
This is not charity as an afterthought. It is charity as strategy, solidarity and long-term transformation. If you want to help build something, not just hand over something, this is your opportunity.