University appoints vice president for institutional advancement

Wed, July 21, 2010 |

Lisa Hollander, an experienced higher education fundraising and development strategist, has been appointed to join Valparaiso University's senior leadership team as vice president for institutional advancement in September.

Hollander will lead the University's institutional advancement efforts, working closely with President Mark A. Heckler and the leadership team to provide the vision, strategy and operational direction to enhance long-term advancement planning and fundraising. Those efforts will be aligned with Valpo's vision to be renowned worldwide for preparing women and men who are highly sought for their knowledge, character, integrity and wisdom.

Hollander comes to Valpo after serving as a key development professional at DePauw University for 16 years, most recently as vice president for resource planning and senior philanthropic advisor. She previously served as vice president for development and alumni relations, with responsibility for major donors to the university and engagement strategies for the institution's alumni. Under her leadership, DePauw's development program received the 2007 CASE-WealthEngine Award for Educational Fundraising for top overall fundraising performance among the nation's liberal arts institutions.

Heckler said Hollander's proven record of success in higher education advancement - including being a member of the team that planned and executed DePauw's $378 million comprehensive campaign that concluded in 2000 as the largest ever conducted by a liberal arts college at that time - make her an ideal person to lead Valpo's advancement efforts.

"Hollander has demonstrated great success in planning substantial fundraising campaigns, increasing alumni affinity and cultivating major donors," Heckler said. "Her experience will allow Valpo to build upon the success of our most recent comprehensive campaign in support of our strategic priorities."

"I am excited to join Valpo and have this opportunity to support its compelling vision and support the goals of its strategic plan," Hollander said. "The faculty, staff and students of Valpo are energized by the institution's direction, and I look forward to working with its excellent advancement professionals."

Frederick G. Kraegel, chair of Valpo's Board of Directors, said he looks forward to working with Hollander.

"She has demonstrated the leadership skills which are critical to Valpo's advancement efforts. The entire Board of Directors looks forward to those efforts being raised to an ever greater level of excellence," Kraegel said.

Hollander earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and has been a participant in the Women's Leadership Forum at Harvard Business School. Her civic activities include an appointment by the mayor of Greencastle, Ind., to serve as a member of the Citizens Advisory Commission for Industrial Development.