Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Appoints Veteran Development Executive as New Vice President for Institute Advancement

Currently Serving as CEO of Washington State University Foundation, Brenda Wilson-Hale Will Join Rensselaer on July 1

Brenda Wilson-Hale, currently chief executive officer of the Washington State University Foundation and vice president for university development, will join Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as vice president for institute advancement on July 1, Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson announced today.

In her new role, Wilson-Hale will direct all of the Institute’s fundraising and alumni relations activities.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Ms. Wilson-Hale’s background, experience, and successful track record join our leadership team,” said President Jackson. “For more than two decades, she has demonstrated strong leadership, creativity, and tremendous business acumen in helping to raise funds and direct campaigns at a broad spectrum of organizations. “Her expertise in higher education fundraising and alumni relations is impressive. We look forward to her leadership in advancement as we pursue the resources to continue the transformation of Rensselaer as a world-leading technological research university.”

“I am privileged to join Rensselaer in this pivotal role leading private fundraising in concert with President Jackson,” Wilson-Hale said. “The potential for tremendous success in team building and fundraising is particularly exciting in supporting the critical work of The Rensselaer Plan.”

In her role at Washington State University, Wilson-Hale oversaw a strategic reorganization of the development function and directed efforts to raise some $250 million during the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years – the two most successful fundraising years ever there. Prior to joining Washington State University in March 2007, Wilson-Hale served as senior director of development at the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University. While there, she helped the university complete the remaining $125 million goal of an overall $1.2 billion campaign.

Wilson-Hale has also served in senior development positions at DePaul University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, the National Black Arts Festival, the Museum of African-American History in Detroit, and the University Cultural Center Association in Detroit. Earlier in her career, she served in positions at AAA Michigan, Grace Hospital in Detroit, and Michigan Bell Telephone/AT&T.

Wilson-Hale earned her bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Wayne State University in 1973. She went on to earn her juris doctor degree from Wayne State in 1992.

Among her professional affiliations, Wilson-Hale is a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Published April 27, 2010. Contact: Mark Marchand Phone: (518) 276-6098 E-mail: marchm3@rpi.edu