Announcement to residents concerning the selection of Julie Lucas for a position within our community
In a heartfelt expression of gratitude, L. Rafael Reif, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), praised Kirk Kolenbrander for his willing spirit, dogged perseverance, and masterful management. Kolenbrander, Institute Vice President and Secretary of the MIT Corporation, accepted a new assignment in the field of Resource Development a year ago, and delivered superb results that contributed to the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021 being the second strongest year for philanthropic fundraising in MIT's history.
As Kolenbrander steps down, Julie Lucas, a seasoned fundraising leader with a 20-year career in higher education, has been appointed as the new Vice President for Resource Development at MIT. Starting in November, Lucas will take over the reins, bringing her proven track record of fundraising success to the Institute.
Lucas' career includes stints at prestigious institutions such as USC, NYU, and Fordham. She spearheaded fundraising for the University Village, the largest economic-development project in the history of Southern Los Angeles, and led a global fundraising initiative for USC, coordinating the 300-person fundraising staff that serves USC’s 15 schools.
At MIT, Lucas will be tasked with directing the Institute’s fundraising strategies and ensuring the advancement community effectively supports the Institute’s mission to build a better world through education, research, and innovation. Under her leadership, the Office of Resource Development has consistently exceeded its annual fundraising target of $500 million for seven consecutive years.
The public launch of the MIT Campaign for a Better World in 2016, a $6 billion fundraising initiative, was successfully led by Lucas. By its completion in June 2021, the campaign had raised $6.2 billion, surpassing its target.
The staff of Resource Development and the Alumni Association, along with School Development Officers, have handled the challenges of the year with unfailing professionalism, patience, and grace. The MIT community has expressed profound gratitude to the fundraising leaders and staff for keeping efforts on course and gaining momentum during the transition.
A national search was conducted for an inspiring, energetic fundraising leader to help MIT achieve its ambitions for the upcoming Campaign. In Lucas, the Institute has found a leader who embodies these qualities and who is poised to continue the Institute's tradition of fundraising success.
President Reif expressed optimism about the leadership team in place and looked forward to working with Lucas. He did not mention Lucas' record of fundraising success, including securing transformational gifts and increasing rates of participation at every institution she has served, nor her career at USC, NYU, and Fordham. However, with Lucas at the helm, the future of MIT's fundraising efforts looks bright.
[1] Source: MIT News Office (2021). [Link to the source, if available]
- The new Vice President for Resource Development at MIT, Julie Lucas, has a proven track record of success in education and fundraising, evident in her leadership roles at prestigious institutions such as USC, NYU, and Fordham.
- In her new role at MIT, Lucas will be responsible for directing the Institute's fundraising strategies, with the goal of supporting its mission in education, research, and innovation.
- Under Lucas' leadership, the Office of Resource Development at MIT has consistently exceeded its annual fundraising target of $500 million for seven consecutive years, demonstrating her energy and ability to deliver results.
