senior director of development, carson college of business, … · senior director of development,...

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY PROSPECTUS | 1

Senior Director of Development,

Carson College of Business,

Washington State University Pullman, WA

https://wsu.edu

Send Nominations or Cover Letter and Resume to: Terri Rutter Senior Consultant [email protected]

617-262-1102 or Jill Lasman Executive Vice President [email protected]

Introduction

Washington State University (WSU), a distinguished and comprehensive public land-grant research

university system with six campuses, seeks to hire a creative, innovative and experienced leader to

serve as Senior Director of Development for the Carson College of Business. This position is an

opportunity for a dynamic and engaging unit-based constituent development professional within a

complex university system to lead the College through a bold campaign and beyond.

The Opportunity

Washington State University and the Washington State University Foundation stand on the cusp of an era of

unprecedented success. Now in the third year under the visionary leadership of WSU’s 11th President, Kirk

H. Schulz, the University is expanding its footprint both geographically across the state and

programmatically through bold initiatives like the creation of a new medical school. In the environment of an

economically booming, tech savvy state with an enviable corporate presence — think Boeing, Amazon,

Microsoft and Costco, among others — and a compelling land-grant mission focused on the STEM

https://wsu.edu/

https://wsu.edu/

mailto:[email protected]







disciplines, WSU is well poised for a robustly successful future.

The Carson College of Business equips

undergraduate and graduate students to

lead enterprises successfully. Experience

lies at the core of the Carson College

curriculum. In classrooms that simulate

enterprise environments, in the

organizations of corporate partners, and

in locations around the world, Carson

students learn by doing. The curriculum

bridges disciplines and cultures. Successful

business leaders travel to campus to share

their expertise. As undergraduates, students gain first-hand career experience and emerge as capable

decision-makers, ready to take the reins of leadership.

Position Overview – Senior Director of Development, Carson

College of Business

The Senior Director of Development (Sr. DOD) will serve as the chief development officer for the Carson

College of Business and lead the College’s development program and support alumni relations with

responsibility for securing private philanthropic support. The Sr. DOD will report to the Dean of the Carson

College of Business, Chip Hunter, and have a dotted-line report to the senior advancement leadership team

at the WSU Foundation to set fundraising goals based on approved priorities and interdisciplinary initiatives,

as well as to develop and implement an overall strategic plan for development programming that maximizes

support for the Carson College.

Other responsibilities for the Sr. DOD include the managing, mentoring and training of a team of College-

based Development staff. The Sr. DOD will serve as a major gift officer for 50 potential donors with the

capacity to give $250,000 or higher. The Sr. DOD will also work in collaboration with the Dean to support the

College’s Advisory Board as related to fundraising activity.

The Sr. DOD must develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of University priorities and inspire the respect

and confidence of the executive, academic and volunteer leadership of the Carson College and of

Washington State University.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning (15%)

In collaboration with the Dean of the Carson College of Business, establish fundraising priorities and set

campaign goals for the College.

http://business.wsu.edu/undergraduate/international-requirement/study-abroad/programs/


In collaboration with the Dean of the Carson College of Business and senior advancement leadership with

the WSU Foundation, establish annual and campaign goals.

In collaboration with the WSU Foundation senior advancement leadership team, develop and implement

best practices and metrics and ensure activities supporting overarching campaign goals and priorities.

Fundraising (50%)

• Ensure major donor goals are met through collaboration with key partners, the Dean and volunteers.

• Carry a portfolio of at least 50 potential donors with the capacity to give $250,000 or higher.

• Ensure proper stewardship of all Carson College donors.

• Coordinate initiatives related to strategic corporate alliances and foundation support.

Management (20%)

With the support and collaboration of senior advancement leadership, hire, train, mentor, supervise and

evaluate staff. Provide guidance and direction regarding priorities and provide senior level advice and

guidance to staff on complex issues. Provide ongoing coaching and feedback and professional development

opportunities to staff. Ensure adherence to University, College and division policies and best practices.

Develop and maintain a collaborative work team.

Develop and oversee annual budget and work collaboratively to ensure effective use of financial and staff

resources.

Provide support for the Dean:

• Manage the Dean's involvement with prospects and donors to maximize support and impact.

• Meet regularly with the Dean to brief on relevant issues.

• Act as “point person” in prioritizing and coordinating the Dean's travel for development-related

initiatives.

• Establish and coordinate the Dean's role at events and in prospect meetings, etc.

• Ensure appropriate staff provides written briefings and other support materials, if necessary, and

create proposals and correspondence.

• Ensure strategic partnerships across WSU Advancement.

Collaboration (10%)

Acting as "team leader" for Carson College Development staff, the Sr. DOD will advocate for the needs of

the College and ensure that the team is focused on meeting goals and priorities. The Sr. DOD will also

coordinate prospect initiatives with the WSU Foundation and individual giving officers and other partners, as

well as collaborate with development colleagues throughout the University on high-level cross-disciplinary

gifts as necessary.

Understand the educational and research activities of the Carson College to promote to internal and

external constituencies and to effectively pair interests with potential sources of external support.

Accomplish this by establishing solid working relationships with department chairs, directors and


administrative units and provide support to them when they assist with donor visits and events.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Upon direction of the Dean, assume responsibility for other duties that may arise related to fundraising

activity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible fundraising and

leadership experience, including individual fundraising or the equivalent is required.

• Must have at least three years of supervisory experience and must be able to establish performance

and standards and manage staff performance.

• Must have strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written). This

position requires significant travel (including international).

• Must be able to think creatively and solve problems.

• Must have computer skills, which should include desktop software, databases and networked

information systems.

• Must be able to establish and maintain effective relationships on behalf of the University.

• Must be able to work in a team-based environment with a mixture of staff, faculty, administration,

alumni and volunteers.

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, creative and demanding environment while using sound

judgment in decision making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.

• Seasoned fundraising professional with experience working in higher education.

• Experience working in a large, complex university or system.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), databases

(FileMaker and Access) and Networked Information Systems (PeopleSoft).

Carson College of Business

The Carson College of Business (CCB) offers transformative learning experiences that matter in its

undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate and executive education. CCB faculty researchers develop critical

thinking in their students and meaningful insights through their discoveries. The College is building

partnerships across and beyond WSU, engaging colleagues in other schools and colleges, as well as the

broader business community.

CCB’s nationally ranked programs help students develop marketable skills based on deep understanding of

and involvement in the world around them. Entrepreneurial opportunities abound within its programs, and

https://business.wsu.edu/about-carson/rankings-facts/


students bring distinction to the University and region with their successful business ventures and

performance in business plan competitions.

The Carson College of Business also is nationally recognized for its undergraduate international business

programs, which lead WSU in providing global learning experiences for its students. Through the College’s

many study abroad options and its partnerships with institutions in China, Switzerland and Tanzania, the

College offers interested students a transformational international experience. These experiences are

particularly important in helping students establish the global business mindset that is critical for entering the

workforce, especially in Washington state, where the economy is integrally linked to the wider world. Unique

programs help Carson College students establish themselves as global business professionals even before

they graduate.

Regionally, the College has made recent investments in its urban campuses in Everett, Tri-Cities and

Vancouver, expanding degree programs and opening new avenues to accommodate the needs of today’s

business students. Trailblazing ventures into online education have produced award-winning programs that

are flexible, relevant and convenient for working people, without diminishing the value of the on-campus

experience.

Research conducted by Carson College faculty sets the stage for positive change in industries worldwide.

The college’s research strengths include: consumer behavior, business ethics, hospitality/tourism,

International operations management, supply chain management, inventory theory, alternative risk

financing, taxation, behavioral accounting and design in marketing.

The Carson College of Business stands among the less than 2% of business schools worldwide that have

achieved full accreditation in both business and accounting from the Association to Advance Collegiate

Schools of Business (AACSB) — the longest-standing and most respected international business program

accrediting entity.

The success of CCB students owes much to dedicated faculty, staff, alumni and members of its boards of

advisors, all of whom devote themselves toward developing WSU students into the global business leaders

who will make a positive difference in the world.

Carson College of Business Leadership

Larry W. Hunter, Ph.D.

Dean

Larry W. (Chip) Hunter was appointed Dean of Washington State University’s

Carson College of Business in 2015. He leads the college in its mission to

create insight and opportunity through the study of business and the power of

our community, for Washington state and the world. Hunter is committed to

building and extending the educational opportunities that make the American

Dream real. His passion for discovery and innovation arises from his conviction

https://business.wsu.edu/undergraduate/study-abroad/programs/

http://business.wsu.edu/research-faculty/research/

http://www.aacsb.edu/

http://www.aacsb.edu/


that the best in higher education builds from a foundation of faculty determined to advance knowledge and

that such premier education ought to be available to all students who are willing and able to do the work

expected. Under Hunter’s leadership, the Carson College is aiming to be “the model school of business for

tomorrow’s land grant university.”

An award-winning scholar specializing in human resources and industrial relations, Hunter currently serves

as the president of the Industry Studies Association (ISA) in addition to his role as Dean. The ISA is an

international organization of scholars across academic fields. Like other ISA members, Hunter’s own

research seeks to develop knowledge through direct fieldwork and a deep understanding of the dynamics of

specific industries. Hunter’s work spans industrial settings, from nursing homes to the auto industry, retail

banking and call centers, with a focus on how workplaces and human resources can be managed to

promote both organizational goals and positive outcomes for workers.

Prior to his WSU appointment, Hunter was the Senior Associate Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business

at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served on the Wisconsin faculty for 13 years, where he taught

courses in human resource management and in negotiation, winning multiple teaching awards and being

named to the Pyle-Bascom Professorship in Leadership. Preceding his appointment as Senior Associate

Dean, he had directed the school’s human resource management program and subsequently led its

nationally ranked MBA program. Before joining the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002, he spent eight

years on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also won several teaching awards.

Hunter earned his Bachelor’s degree at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he

was named a Harry S. Truman Scholar. At Penn he was awarded a Thouron Scholarship to study in the

United Kingdom, and he holds a Master’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford

University. Hunter earned his doctoral degree in industrial relations and human resource management from

the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Hunter was raised in the Palouse, graduating from high school in nearby Moscow, ID, where he was a U.S.

Presidential Scholar.

Washington State University – An Overview

Premier Educational Experience

Founded in 1890 in Pullman, Washington State

University is Washington’s land-grant university,

and one of two public research universities in

the state. Its mission is to improve the quality of

life for all citizens — locally, nationally and

globally. WSU is committed to innovation and

excellence in research and scholarship.


WSU offers 96 academic majors for undergraduates, 80 Master’s degree programs and 64 doctoral degree

programs, as well as professional degree programs in medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine and

pharmacy. Twelve undergraduate degree programs and nine graduate degree programs are also available

online through WSU’s Global Campus.

Washington State University is committed to ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable for

Washington’s citizens, with more than 82% of WSU’s undergraduates are from the state of Washington.

More than 33.8% of WSU’s total statewide enrollment is made up of first-generation students, and

enrollment among ethnically diverse students exceeds 30%. WSU awarded more than $380 million in

financial aid and scholarships for undergraduate students in 2017.

Research that Matters

WSU research expenditures totaled a record

$352.9 million in fiscal year 2017, placing

WSU among the top public universities

nationally for research funding. Capitalizing

on WSU’s fundamental and applied research

strengths, the University’s research agenda is

sharply focused on addressing Grand

Challenges in health, sustainability, smart

systems, national security and opportunity

and equity.

WSU researchers team with scholars around the world — as well as federal and state agencies, national

laboratories, business and civic leaders and philanthropists — to target critical national and global

problems. This commitment to public service grows from WSU’s land-grant mission, which makes service

to society a top University priority. In turn, WSU’s research strengthens communities across Washington

and around the world and enables students to see firsthand how to advance knowledge — and enjoy the

adventure of discovery.

Statewide Reach: Serving Washington and Beyond

Washington State University fulfills its mission as Washington’s land-

grant research university by reaching out. The University’s statewide

educational enterprise has expanded in recent years to better meet

the needs of Washington’s changing economy and population,

delivering knowledge and the benefits of research activities to people

throughout the state.

A record enrollment of nearly 31,500 undergraduate, graduate and

professional students and approximately 6,500 faculty and staff are


located on WSU’s five campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver and Everett), online through its

Global Campus, in Extension offices in each of the state’s 39 counties and regionally based Research and

Extension Centers in the state’s key agricultural areas.

The Pullman campus is located on 620 acres nestled amidst the beautiful rolling hills of southeastern

Washington and offers one of the premier residential college experiences in the nation. It is home to world-

class teaching, research and outreach — ranging from the applied sciences, humanities and veterinary

medicine, to agriculture, business and communication — that advances society, communities and

economies throughout the state and around the globe. The Pullman campus is also home to the beautiful

new Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and Pac-12 athletics.

Three additional campuses, created in 1989, are located in Spokane, the Tri-Cities and Vancouver. WSU

Everett, established in 2014, is WSU’s newest campus. Created in 2012, WSU’s Global Campus offers

degrees worldwide in an online environment. In addition, WSU serves citizens statewide through a network

of extension offices (one in each county), research and extension

centers and small business development centers.

WSU EVERETT:

The WSU Everett campus is student- and community-centered,

bringing industry-aligned undergraduate programs with an

interdisciplinary focus to the North Puget Sound region to prepare

students to compete globally in the local economy. WSU currently

offers seven high-demand Bachelor’s degrees in Everett, and

students often partner directly with nearby businesses like Boeing for

hands-on learning and research opportunities. The state-of-the-art

95,000 square-foot WSU Everett Building was completed in 2017 and

houses engineering laboratories, general and active-learning

classrooms, computer laboratories, a tiered lecture hall, a math and

writing center, faculty and administrative offices and a variety of study spaces for students.

WSU SPOKANE:

Located in the state’s second-largest city just

75 miles north of Pullman, WSU Spokane is

the University’s health sciences education and

research campus and the home of three WSU

Colleges — Nursing, Pharmacy and the Elson

S. Floyd College of Medicine. The collection of

so many different health sciences programs on

a campus with over 1,600 students, in a city

with the highest concentration of advanced

healthcare providers between Seattle and

Minneapolis, provides unique opportunities for cross-disciplinary studies, activities and professional

collaborations.


WSU TRI-CITIES:

Located in south central Washington,

Kennewick, Pasco and Richland — aka the Tri-

Cities — is home to WSU’s Tri-Cities campus.

Set on the banks of the mighty Columbia River

in Richland, WA, WSU Tri-Cities’ tight-knit

campus community blends hands-on learning

with opportunities for research, access to a

multitude of internships, personalized

instruction and an active student life. The

campus is located just minutes from the

Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest

National Laboratories. WSU and PNNL have a long history of research and teaching collaborations. WSU

Tri-Cities’ acclaimed Viticulture and Enology program is transforming the region’s premium wine industry at

one of the most technologically advanced wine research and education facilities of its kind in the world.

WSU VANCOUVER:

Washington State University Vancouver offers

big-school resources in a small-school

environment just minutes from one of the

nation’s most eclectic cities, Portland, OR.

WSU Vancouver was founded on 351 acres of

farmland just north of the City of Vancouver in

1989. Today, WSU Vancouver has a total

enrollment of nearly 3,600 students, 200

doctoral faculty and eight WSU colleges. The

campus boasts majestic views of nearby Mt.

Hood and Mt. St. Helens and more than six

miles of walking trails.

WSU Includes 11 Colleges and the Graduate School

• Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource

Sciences

• Arts and Sciences

• Carson College of Business

• The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication

• Education

• Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

• Honors

• Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine


• Nursing

• Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Veterinary Medicine

Recent Accomplishments: Poised for Unprecedented Opportunities

WSU is steadily progressing toward its vision to become one of the nation’s leading land-grant institutions.

There have been a number of milestone achievements that should be noted, including:

• Accredited in fall 2016, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of 60

medical students in August 2017 — changing the face of healthcare in Washington. The

community-based medical school is co-located statewide at WSU campuses in Spokane, the

Tri-Cities, Vancouver and Everett.

• The world’s first commercial flight using a new sustainable alternative jet fuel made from forest

residuals from the Pacific Northwest — the limbs, stumps and branches that are left over after a

timber harvest or forest thinning of managed forests on private land — took to the air in

November 2017. The biofuel that powered the flight was developed by a consortium led by WSU

and included partners Alaska Airlines, the USDA and Weyerhaeuser, among others.

• A WSU rabies team helped vaccinate more than 100,000 dogs during 2016 in a vaccination zone

in and around Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania. Scientists from WSU’s Paul G. Allen

School for Global Animal Health are playing a vital role in the World Health Organization’s effort to

eradicate human rabies from the planet by 2030.

• Cosmic Crisp, the new apple variety bred by WSU tree fruit breeders, is on track to become

the largest launch of any apple variety in the world, with fruit becoming available to consumers

in 2019.

An Economic Engine

Since its founding, Washington State University has evolved alongside

the changing needs of the citizens, communities and industries it

serves, but the purposeful work of WSU’s faculty, staff and students has

always been — and will always be — to advance what matters most for

Washingtonians. And in our interconnected world, what matters for

Washingtonians also matters for our nation and around the globe.

For the second straight year, the state of Washington experienced the

fastest-growing economy in the nation. WSU’s robust teaching,

research and outreach are major drivers for Washington’s booming

economy. WSU graduates skilled problem-solvers who are prepared for

success in the workforce, and WSU partners with many of the state’s

leading industries — including agribusiness, aerospace, healthcare,

software and construction — conduct innovative research that leads to


technological advances that benefit us all. The University’s presence is felt in every community in

Washington, and its reach and impact extend

around the world.

A few examples include:

• Washington’s more than $6 billion tree

fruit industry leads the nation in

production of apples, pears and sweet

cherries, thanks in part to WSU research

and outreach.

• About 15% of the $850 million annual

North American market for wood-plastic

composite decking products derives from

research conducted at the WSU

Composite Materials & Engineering Center.

• WSU’s partnership with grape growers and winemakers helped make Washington’s $8.6 billion a

year premium wine industry the second largest in the nation.

Nearly two-thirds of WSU’s more than 215,000 living alumni live and work in Washington, contributing on

an ongoing basis to the health of the state’s economy. The University is also directly responsible for

nearly 20,600 jobs statewide and generates an overall economic impact of more than $3.4 billion

annually, delivering $18.87 in economic impact for every state dollar invested in the institution.

A Recognized Leader

U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 “America’s Best Colleges” rankings place WSU in the top 75 public

national universities; WSU was one of only three Northwest universities to be placed in the top two

tiers, along with the University of Washington and the University of Oregon.

WSU is one of just 115 public and private universities in the United States — out of more than 4,600 —

named among doctoral universities with the “highest research activity” in the Carnegie Classification

(2016). The Carnegie Foundation also recognized WSU for its engagement activities with its Community

Engagement Classifications.

Dynamic Communities

WSU’s campuses are home to a wide array of organizations and activities, including arts, music and

theater; student-run media; fraternities and sororities; recreational sports; and others. A high percentage of

the University’s students also participate in more than 600 study abroad programs in 48 countries around

the world.

Intercollegiate athletics play an important role at WSU, and “Cougar Pride” is evident throughout the state

of Washington. More than 500 student athletes compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the


Pac-12 Conference, the “Conference of Champions.” The Cougars compete in six men’s and nine women’s

sports. The vast majority of home contests are played on the Pullman campus.

Diverse Opportunities

The University deeply values diversity among its students, faculty and staff, and the makeup of the

student body for the fall 2018 semester reflected that commitment.

• First-generation students represent nearly 40% of the 2018–2019 freshman class.

• About 32% of WSU students statewide identify as multicultural.

• International students represented approximately 7% of the student body.

• Out-of-state students represent 15% of the total enrollment.

WSU annually awards about $380 million in scholarships and financial aid to approximately 22,000

undergraduate students.

Accomplished Faculty

WSU has successfully recruited an increasingly diverse and accomplished faculty in recent years. Eight

professors are members of National Academies and several are Fulbright Fellows. Many others have

received national and international honors in their fields or been listed among the most cited researchers

in the world. The University prides itself on faculty who are highly accessible to students — evidenced by

a student-to-faculty ratio of about 15 to 1.

Drive to Twenty-Five Drive to Twenty Five, a WSU-wide initiative to achieve recognition as one of the nation’s top 25 public

research universities, was launched in fall 2016. Over the years, the University has experienced

remarkable success preparing the workforce, solving societal challenges and delivering wide-ranging

innovations and discoveries. Recognizing that WSU must grow its reputation in step with its

accomplishments if it is to continue to attract the best students, garner external research funding and

establish new partnerships, University President Kirk initiated the Drive to Twenty Five to guide the

institution’s planning and decision-making.

Through the Drive to Twenty-Five, Washington State University will be recognized as one of the nation’s Top

25 public research universities, preeminent in research and discovery, teaching and engagement by 2030.

The Drive to Twenty Five builds on the cornerstones of WSU’s institutional Strategic Plan and its two

pivotal goals:

• WSU will offer a transformative educational experience to undergraduate and graduate students.

• WSU will accelerate the development of a preeminent research portfolio.


Learn more about the Drive to Twenty-Five.

WSU President Kirk Schulz

President Kirk Schulz is guiding the University’s

transformation into one of the nation’s top

public research universities.

To achieve that goal, WSU launched the Drive

to Twenty-Five in the fall of 2016, an

institutional commitment to achieving

recognized status as one of the nation’s top 25

public research universities by 2030. In addition, a comprehensive university-wide strategic planning

process is underway in collaboration and coordination with campaign planning.

A successful launch of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine has also been high on the list of the

president’s priorities. Approved by the legislature in 2015, the college received national accreditation in

October 2016. It welcomed its inaugural class of 60 medical students in August 2017.

NATIONAL LEADER

A nationally respected leader in higher education, President Schulz became the 11th president of WSU

and a tenured professor in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and

Bioengineering on June 13, 2016. He previously served seven years as president of Kansas State

University, where he guided KSU to significant achievements in research, enrollment and fundraising.

President Schulz chaired the NCAA board of governors, the NCAA’s highest-ranking committee, from

2014 to 2016. The board ensures that each division of the NCAA operates consistently within the basic

purposes, fundamental policies and general principles of the association.

Prior to his appointment at KSU, President Schulz served in a variety of administrative roles during nine

years at Mississippi State University. As vice president for research and economic development from

2007 to 2009, he guided MSU to significant advances in landing research grants and contracts. He was

dean of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering from 2005 to 2007 and director of the Dave C.

Swalm School of Chemical Engineering from 2001 to 2004. He has also served on the faculty at

Michigan Technological University and the University of North Dakota.

ACTIVE COMMUNICATOR

During his tenure at WSU, President Schulz has emphasized listening to the Cougar Nation. He meets

regularly with faculty, staff, students, alumni and other members of the Cougar family — across the state

and beyond — as he partners with others to build upon the University’s recent successes.

The president is one of the most active college presidents nationally to communicate via Twitter, using

https://wsu.edu/drive-to-25/




the social media tool to connect with the WSU family and share his pride in the university. He invites

others to follow him: @WSU_Cougar_Pres.

About the WSU Foundation

The mission of the WSU Foundation is to promote, accept and maximize private support for programs,

initiatives and properties of the University and its campuses. The WSU Foundation also prudently

manages, invests and stewards the assets entrusted to it by the University and its alumni, friends and

donors.

Established in 1979, the WSU Foundation was created not as an object of philanthropy itself but, rather, as

the preferred mechanism through which private support is raised and managed for the sole benefit of the

University. Since its inception, the WSU Foundation has raised more than $2.2 billion in private

commitments in support of WSU programs and initiatives.

Advancement and WSU Foundation Leadership

Lisa D. Calvert

Vice President for Advancement and CEO of the WSU Foundation

Lisa Calvert, Vice President for Advancement and CEO of the WSU Foundation, is a development and

fundraising expert with more than 30 years of experience. She has served in a variety of executive

development and fundraising positions during a career in higher education and the nonprofit sector.

Calvert serves as WSU’s chief fundraising officer, leading efforts to build a comprehensive, integrated

development and external engagement strategy that will maximize private support and investment. She

oversees the WSU Foundation and all advancement statewide, as well as the WSU Alumni Association.

Calvert was the vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief operating officer of the foundation

board for the Texas Tech University System. Her duties included leading the university’s institutional

advancement efforts to create a comprehensive, innovative and best-practice program, including

sustainable philanthropy and engagement.

From 2010 to 2013 Calvert led the strategic planning of a $2 billion

comprehensive campaign effort as vice president for development at Purdue

University. While at Purdue, she guided the university’s second- and fourth-

highest fundraising years in its history. Prior to Purdue, she served as vice

president for university relations at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, for

seven years and has served in a number of other development leadership

roles, primarily in higher education.

Calvert earned a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics at Oklahoma


State University. She also completed Harvard University’s Programs on Leadership for Senior Executives

and the Executive Education for Strategic Business Leadership at the University of Chicago Booth School

of Business.

Widely regarded to be a leader in the field of higher education development, Calvert helped to establish

many of the industry’s fundraising standards now considered best practice nationally. In 2011 Calvert was

selected as one of 10 advancement officers featured in the first higher education national study for the

book, Making the Case for Leadership: Profiles of Chief Advancement Officers in Higher Education.

Fundraising

The WSU Foundation total fundraising activity during Fiscal Year 2018 was $145.1 million — the third-

highest fundraising total, and the highest total raised outside a campaign. During this period, the all-

alumni gift participation rate was 11.3%.

Campaign for WSU; Past Success and Future Planning

In 2015, the University celebrated the successful conclusion to its second and most ambitious fundraising

effort to date — the $1 billion Campaign for Washington State University: Because the World Needs Big

Ideas — with nearly $1.1 billion in private support commitments from more than 206,000 generous

donors.

The five largest commitments in WSU history were made during the campaign, including gifts of $26

million and $25 million from Paul G. Allen and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, respectively, to

support international research, teaching and outreach and to fund construction of WSU’s Center for Global

Animal Health. Washington’s tree fruit industry made commitments totaling more than $32 million to

endow several new faculty positions and create endowments to accelerate tree fruit research activities

and industry outreach at WSU.

Support for students and access to higher education was a top campaign priority, with more than $154

million raised for endowed and current-use scholarships and graduate fellowships. Nearly $171 million

was designated to create 645 new endowments, including 444 new endowed scholarships and graduate

fellowships.

Endowment Performance

The WSU Foundation consolidates all funds available for long-term investment in its Endowment Fund,

with the exception of funds restricted by law or by special donor limitations. This fund is the investment

pool for more than 2,314 privately endowed funds supporting a wide variety of education, research and

service programs at the University. The investment objectives of the WSU Foundation’s Endowment Fund

reflect its long-term nature. It is recognized that the desire to grow endowment gifts and to produce a large,

stable and predictable payout stream involves tradeoffs that must be balanced in establishing the

investment and spending policies.


Considerations that shape the Endowment’s objectives include:

• Producing a relatively predictable and stable payout stream to WSU’s programs that are supported

by endowment funds;

• Increasing the inflation-adjusted value of the endowment in the long term, while assuming only

moderate risk; and

• Balancing the support of present and future generations of students and faculty.

WSU seeks to achieve these investment objectives by diversifying across major asset classes (e.g.,

marketable equities, non-marketable investments, absolute return, fixed income), as well as within each

asset class (e.g., investment style, capitalization, industry).

As of Fiscal Year 2018 (ended June 30, 2018), the WSU Foundation Endowment’s total asset value was

$502,262,759. Total return-to-date during Fiscal Year 2018 was 8%; three-year was 6.3%; and five-year

return was 7.3%.

Development Staffing and Operations

WSU’s development operation is structured based on a centralized-decentralized fundraising model

with approximately 145 total staff located in Pullman, Seattle, Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver

campuses statewide. Most of WSU’s approximately 75 front-line fundraisers are housed in the

colleges, campuses and unit areas in which they serve. About 60 development staff are responsible for

central fundraising and administrative support functions housed within the WSU Foundation, generally

either in its downtown Pullman offices or its offices in downtown Seattle. Central functions include gift

accounting, finance, IT, prospect research, gift planning, annual giving, regional development,

corporate relations, foundation relations, donor relations and stewardship, marketing and

communication and HR/legal.

For more information about how WSU’s development staff are distributed, please reference the

organizational chart in the addendum of this document.

Volunteer Leadership

The volunteer membership consists of approximately 135 Trustees who serve a critical fundraising role in

support of the WSU Foundation and the University. In addition to their generous financial support,

Trustees volunteer their time to serve on Foundation committees and to build relationships with

prospective WSU supporters.

Up to 25 Trustees serve on the Board of Directors, the governing board for the WSU Foundation. The

Board of Directors has fiduciary responsibility for the general business and affairs of the WSU

Foundation, including oversight of its property, assets and policies.


Funding Development

WSU development operations have a robust budget of $20 million funded through a combination of

revenue sources, including endowment management fees, planned giving assessments and direct

support from the University and its campuses, colleges and unit areas. This helps to ensure a diversified

source of funding and leverages the momentum of current donors to attract and retain new donors to

benefit even more WSU students, faculty, research and service. Information about the Foundation’s fee

structure can be found at https://foundation.wsu.edu/fees/.

Location

About Our Communities

The position will be located in Pullman, yet time will be spent in Seattle and the Puget Sound region,

Vancouver, Spokane and Tri-Cities, providing ample opportunities to explore one of the most dynamic,

geographically diverse and beautiful regions in the nation.

PULLMAN

Pullman is one of the quintessential college

towns in the United States. With a population of

about 33,000 residents, Pullman and the

surrounding area boasts exceptional schools

and services, access to culture and the arts, and

sporting events and year-round outdoor

recreational activities, all with a small-town

friendliness that endears it to visitors and

residents alike. Another land-grant university —

the University of Idaho — is located just seven

miles east of Pullman in Moscow, ID. Together,

these towns are located in the picturesque hills of a geographical area known as the Palouse. The unique

landscape and exceptional quality of life in the Palouse has inspired the region to be called the “Tuscany

of America” by the Wall Street Journal, and a “Paradise Called the Palouse” by National Geographic.

Pullman and Moscow, and nearby Lewiston, ID, and Clarkston, WA, make up a quad-city region that is

home to more than 100,000 residents.

SPOKANE

The WSU Health Sciences Spokane campus is bordered on one

side by the Spokane River and Centennial Trail, offering direct

access from campus to the city’s many shopping, entertainment

and dining attractions. An array of enjoyable outdoor activities can

be found nearby, including ski resorts, white-water rafting,

camping areas, hiking trails and lakes. With more than 500,000

https://foundation.wsu.edu/fees/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-getaway-to-the-tuscany-of-america-1532716438

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-getaway-to-the-tuscany-of-america-1532716438


residents in the Spokane area, the city also hosts many great community events, festivals and gatherings,

and is home to the Lilac Bloomsday Run, the largest timed road race in the nation, and the largest three-

on-three basketball tournament, Hoopfest.

TRI-CITIES

Boasting more than 300 days of sunshine each year, the Tri-Cities in south central Washington are great

for recreation and sports enthusiasts who enjoy bicycling, bowling, hunting and soccer, as well as fishing,

water-skiing and paddling on the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers. At the heart of Washington’s wine

country, more than 200 wineries are within a 50-mile radius of the cities, producing some of the finest

wines in the world.

VANCOUVER

Washington’s fourth-largest city, Vancouver is situated just across the Columbia River from Portland, OR.

The revitalized city, with its eclectic blend of new construction and historic architecture, offers all the

amenities of a large metropolitan city but with

the charm and hospitality of a small urban town.

The downtown area is bustling with lively

restaurants, vibrant art galleries and a wide

variety of retail shopping from charming

boutiques to antiques. With Mount St. Helens to

the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the

Cascade Mountains to the east, the area also

offers an abundance of natural beauty and

recreational opportunities. Explorers-at-heart

will want to trace Lewis and Clark's footsteps

through this area, which Captain Meriwether

Lewis himself thought was “the most desirable

location for a settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.”

EVERETT The City of Everett, population 108,000, is located about 25 miles north of Seattle. Situated on Port

Gardner Bay, Everett was once a mill town built on wood-based industries. Today’s labor force of more

than 80,000 is predominately employed in technology, aerospace and service-based industries. Summer

and winter sports opportunities abound at nearby lakes, rivers and campgrounds, the Cascade and

Olympic Mountains and Whidbey and San Juan Islands. Everett is home to the AquaSox baseball team, a

Class A minor league team associated with the Seattle Mariners.

SEATTLE

WSU’s Seattle Offices provide a base for Seattle-based advancement, government relations and external

affairs staff to work in the Puget Sound region. With a population of 3.87 million, the Seattle metropolitan

area is among the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The cosmopolitan city is surrounded by picturesque

mountains and water, creating a spectacular urban setting with access to unmatched natural beauty in all

directions. The Seattle area is home to Starbucks, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Costco and REI, to name a


few, and it is among the most tech-savvy regions in the nation. It is also home to world-class attractions,

museums, music, arts and culture, professional

sports, dining and outdoor recreation.

Standard of Living

Pullman offers an unparalleled standard of living. The

town and its neighboring communities offer a

moderate cost of living, low crime rates and access to

outstanding parks and recreation facilities. Pullman

also boasts one of the highest percentages of

graduate degrees among U.S. micropolitan areas. The city is a great place to raise children, as the public

schools are regularly recognized among the best in the state and enjoy a high level of community

support. Due to all of these factors, Bloomberg

Businessweek selected Pullman as the “Best

Place to Raise Kids” in Washington in 2011.

Neighboring Moscow, ID was ranked #1 in the

“Best Places to Raise a Family” listing,

according to livability.com.

Recreation

Pullman and the surrounding area provide a

haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Among the

opportunities: hiking, fishing, bike riding, camping, skiing, swimming, boating, field sports and

photography. Residents enjoy 17 distinct parks and natural areas encompassing more than 145 acres as

well as more than 15 miles of pathways to walk, run or bike — truly a community of parks and paths. The

Palouse Ridge golf course on the WSU

campus, which debuted in 2008, was rated the

second-best college golf course by Links

magazine. Palouse Falls and Boyer Park on the

Snake River are just two of the popular

recreational areas located a short drive from the

city.

Business Environment

Life on the Palouse is changing. The once

largely agricultural center has given birth to a

new wave of technology giants like Schweitzer

Engineering Laboratories and other smaller technology companies like Decagon Devices and Amplicon

Express. Those businesses bring jobs and an influx of people and supporting businesses.


Shopping and dining options in Pullman are bountiful. From world-famous Ferdinand’s Cougar Gold Cheese

to small boutique shops, the city offers a variety of dining, lodging and shopping options. The historic

downtown area is home to locally owned businesses, arts and cultural events and a wide range of

community activities.

Climate

Pullman offers four spectacular seasons and

shifting rhythms of warmth, light and color. The

warmest month is August, with an average daily

high of 82 degrees, while January is the coldest

month with an average daily high of 35 degrees.

Pullman averages 21 inches of precipitation

annually. Snowfall amounts vary greatly from

year-to-year, but snow typically occurs between

December and February.

Background Checks

Prior to submitting your resume for this position, please read it over for accuracy. LLLS does verify

academic credentials for its candidates, and our clients frequently conduct background checks prior to

finalizing an offer.

WSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer. Members of ethnic minorities,

women, protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.


To learn more, contact Terri Rutter, Senior Consultant

[email protected] or

Jill Lasman, Executive Vice President [email protected]

617-262-1102

All inquiries will be held in confidence.

Setting the Standard in Advancement Search

LOIS L. LINDAUER SEARCHES, LLC

420 Boylston Street, Suite 604, Boston, MA 02116

617.262.1102

www.LLLSearches.com







http://www.lllsearches.com/


Organization Chart

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