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New AVP for University advancement

September 19, 2005

Photo of Donna BlakemoreDonna Blakemore, a seasoned fundraising professional with more than 25 years of nonprofit and higher education experience, is the new head of SFSU's development and alumni relations programs.

Blakemore stepped into her new position, associate vice president for University advancement, on Sept. 12. She has served three University of California campuses in leadership positions in both fundraising and alumni relations. Since relocating to San Francisco, she has worked as vice president of advancement at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and development director at SFJAZZ and San Francisco Ballet.

In her new position, Blakemore is tasked with leading all fundraising efforts for the University, including planned giving, major gifts, annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, and capital campaigns. In addition, she will oversee alumni relations efforts.

Her goals at SFSU include expanding the University's overall fundraising program and increasing annual support. "We need to engage our various constituents in the life of the campus -- to discover what they care about deeply and match their talents and resources with the needs of the University," said Blakemore. "Our alumni population is growing exponentially, and it is essential that we find new ways to engage them in supporting the campus in ways in which they can contribute even more."

At University of California, Santa Cruz, Blakemore served as assistant director for the university's alumni association. She then served as director of alumni and parent relations at University of California, Riverside. She was both executive director of development and executive director of alumni relations at University of California, Davis, where she helped raise $5 million to build a visitor's center, managed the campus' central development office and directed a $17 million campus-wide fundraising campaign for student support.

"I am very pleased to welcome Donna Blakemore to our team," University Advancement Vice President Lee Blitch said. "With her proven track record in both the nonprofit sector and in higher education, she will add another dimension of expertise that can help bring San Francisco State to new levels in fundraising and community support."

A fourth-generation Santa Cruzan, Blakemore earned a bachelor of arts in aesthetic studies from UC Santa Cruz. She went on to write weekly columns for a local newspaper and oversee the marketing/public relations efforts for the Santa Cruz Symphony. She has served on the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VII Board of Directors, and was appointed to an international commission on alumni relations by CASE International.

-- Adrianne Bee
Photo: Rena Buchgraber

         

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Last modified September 19, 2005 by University Communications