Departments and teams
The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution, working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.
DAR senior leadership team
- Jay E. Davenport, CFRE, vice president, Development and Alumni Relations
- Lori Cwalina, senior associate vice president, Development for Colleges, Schools and Units
- Magnus Johnsson, CFRE (M.P.A.’10, Cert.’10), senior associate vice president, Presidential and University Philanthropy
- Samantha Wheeler Marrs, senior associate vice president, campaign administration, Development Operations and Campaign Administration
- Elizabeth Bass (M.S.W.’03), associate vice president, Alumni Relations
- Thomas Maness, associate vice president, Transformational Philanthropy
- Niles Eggleston, senior associate vice president, Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations
- Julia Ayscue, executive director, Talent Management
- Henry Davis, executive director, Finance and Budget
- Margaret Ann Bollmeier, president, MCV Foundation
- Laura Kottkamp, chief executive officer, Monroe Park Campus Foundations
- Julia Miller, associate vice president, Primary Giving
Advancement Solutions
Advancement Solutions provides structured approaches for all VCU staff engaged in fundraising, alumni programs and constituent relations. They align people, data, processes and technology to achieve strategic goals.
Teams: Business Intelligence, Information Systems, Philanthropic Services, Prospect Development
Alumni Relations
Alumni Relations leads the university’s efforts to strengthen and promote an invested alumni community and inspire lifelong loyalty that advances VCU.
Teams: Alumni Career & Personal Development; Volunteer, Alumni & Student Engagement; Academic Engagement; Affinity Engagement & Philanthropy; Signature Events
Colleges, Schools and Units
This department supports VCU’s mission and financial sustainability through effective donor engagement, relationship building, portfolio activation and major gift fundraising by focusing on meaningful personal visits with potential donors and proactive solicitation.
Development Operations and Campaign Administration
Development Operations and Campaign Administration is responsible for campaign strategy and the infrastructure that supports the philanthropic environment.
Finance and Budget
Finance and Budget ensures funding is accessible, expenditures are trackable and the proper funds are being used for appropriate expenditures. This department also ensures compliance with local and federal fiscal policies.
MCV Foundation
This foundation partners with schools, research centers and care units throughout VCU Health to provide collaborative fundraising and stewardship of invested funds that carefully honors the wishes of every donor.
Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations
The MPAR team is made up of five fundraising pods and a strategic engagement team and supports the DAR mission by aligning philanthropic opportunities around clinical care, medical education and research.
Teams: Clinical, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Strategic Engagement
Monroe Park Campus Foundations
MPC Foundations solicit, manage and distribute current and endowment gifts for all schools, departments and programs across the university.
Presidential and University Philanthropy
Presidential and University Philanthropy collaborates with fundraisers and campus partners across the University in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of significant gifts. The office provides strategic leadership for fundraising efforts around institutional initiatives of the highest value and priority to VCU.
Teams: Corporate and Foundations Relations, Planned Giving, Principal Giving Stewardship, Transformational Philanthropy
Primary Giving
Primary Giving supports VCU’s mission and financial sustainability through effective donor engagement, relationship building, portfolio activation and leadership annual giving fundraising.
Teams: Affinity Engagement and Philanthropy, Leadership Annual Giving, Medical Annual Giving, University Annual Giving
Strategic Marketing and Engagement
Strategic Marketing and Engagement ensures coordinated and strategic engagement for all DAR audiences through communications, marketing, donor engagement and signature events.
Teams: DAR Communications, DAR Marketing, DAR Signature Events, Donor Engagement
Talent Management
Talent Management provides a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to recruit, select, develop and retain exceptional advancement and engagement professionals.
