Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Donna Arbide will step down from her role to prioritize her health, the University announced in a release Monday.
Arbide, who has helmed GW’s fundraising and alumni outreach efforts since March 2018, will remain at the University until officials name a replacement, according to the release. Arbide said in the release that she recently completed a comprehensive cancer treatment at GW, and although she feels “blessed” to be on the road to recovery, the University is at a “pivotal moment” and needs a leader who can devote “110 percent.”
“Having cancer has been scary and challenging but also eye-opening for me,” Arbide said in the release. “You learn how important your community is. I have been incredibly fortunate to be part of the GW family—from my GW doctors to my GW colleagues to all of the alumni, students and friends. I have felt supported every step of the way.”
Officials have not yet posted a job listing for Arbide’s position on GW’s jobs portal.
GW more than doubled its annual contributions to scholarships and financial aid, including the University’s acceptance in 2020 of the largest one-time alumni gift in GW’s history under Arbide’s leadership, per the release. Arbide also oversaw the University’s launch of a fundraising initiative in 2021 that worked to increase the financial aid budget for Pell-eligible students by roughly $2 million each year.
The alumni relations department under Arbide also spearheaded the celebration of GW’s Bicentennial in 2021 and launched the University’s first Giving Day, which has fundraised over $1 million per year for the University in the last three years.
Officials hired Arbide — who previously worked in the alumni relations department at the University of Miami — under former University President Thomas LeBlanc’s leadership, who formerly served as UMiami’s Provost. LeBlanc hired several of his old colleagues from UMiami after multiple administrators left their positions.
Arbide was LeBlanc’s first major hire during his tenure at GW.
University President Ellen Granberg said in the release that Arbide plays a “critically important role” at the University, and officials will have “big shoes to fill” when she leaves. Granberg said GW philanthropy “would not be where it is today” without Arbide’s leadership, per the release.
“We wouldn’t be on the path to achieving our future goals without her many contributions,” Granberg said in the release.