UMD Taps Seasoned Fundraiser to Lead University Development Efforts

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Aug 08, 2013, 04:09 ET

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the successful completion of a $1 billion fundraising campaign, the University of Maryland has appointed Mary Burke as the new assistant vice president of university development. In this role, Burke will provide overall leadership and management to the university development program, overseeing fundraising teams in all schools, colleges, intercollegiate athletics, planned giving and annual giving.

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"Mary brings incredible enthusiasm, leadership and strategic know-how to this position, and will be an invaluable asset to the division," says UMD Vice President for University Relations Peter Weiler. "Mary's long list of accomplishments includes cultivating numerous million dollar gifts and repeatedly exceeding campaign and fundraising goals throughout her career."

With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Burke is an accomplished fundraiser and has a successful track-record in campaign planning, major gift fundraising and annual giving for several colleges and institutions. Most recently, as assistant vice president of development, principal gifts for The George Washington University, Burke worked across all schools and divisions to build and advance the principal gift market. Managing a portfolio of more than 60 principal gift prospects, Burke led a nearly 30 percent increase in principal gifts for the university over five years. She also briefly served as lead international fundraiser focusing on The Republic of Korea.

Prior to that, Burke led principle gifts for The Johns Hopkins University, where she directed fundraising efforts for gift prospects of more than $1 million. Burke has also held fundraising positions at The University of Pennsylvania, where she helped successfully close out The Wharton School's $425 million campaign. Earlier in her career she held fundraising positions at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University.

Burke earned a B.A. from Wellesley College and an M.B.A. from Boston University. She will officially assume her duties on Sept. 4, 2013.

SOURCE University of Maryland