Officials launched a search for a new vice president of University advancement and renamed the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, University President Ellen Granberg announced in an email Wednesday.
The University is renaming the office the Division of University Advancement to highlight the “breadth and importance” of the division and align with officials’ strategic framework, Granberg wrote in the email addressed to “colleagues.” Officials launched the search after Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Donna Arbide, who held the role for seven years, announced in January that she will step down to prioritize her health once officials name a replacement.
“This reflects the broader role the division plays in moving GW forward, especially in terms of securing the critical philanthropic support to achieve the aspirations of the strategic framework,” Granberg said in the email.
The vice president of University advancement will oversee GW’s overall “advancement efforts,” through fundraising and alumni and parent engagement, working with University leadership to foster relationships with donors and the Board of Trustees to identify future board members, per the position’s prospectus.
The prospectus states the “target compensation” for the role includes a base salary of $650,000 plus a “generous incentive plan” that includes medical and retirement options.
Granberg said in the email she hired Managing Director and Founding Partner of Aspen Leadership Group Ron Schiller to run the search and created an advisory committee of nine University leaders to advise her in the University’s search and selection process.
The committee is comprised of Dean of Law Dayna Bowen Matthew, Chief of Staff Scott Mory, Trustee Charles Bendit, Dean of Students Colette Coleman, Alumni Association President Max Gocala-Nguyen, School of Engineering & Applied Science Dean John Lach, Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz, Vice President of Communications and Marketing Ellen Moran and Executive Director of GW’s Alliance for a Sustainable Future Frank Sesno, per the release.
