Wesley comes to Carlow with a wealth of expertise in development strategy and execution.
Derek M. Wesley, EdD, who has worked in fundraising leadership positions for nearly 15 years, has been named Vice President for Advancement at Carlow University effective May 4, 2015. He has been serving as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Alfred State College in Alfred, New York, since 2011.
“The position of Vice President for Advancement is critical to helping Carlow transform and reach a new and aspiring level of philanthropic giving, one that will put us on a sustainable path for success in the coming years,” said Carlow University President Suzanne Mellon, PhD. “Dr. Wesley is an accomplished advancement professional with comprehensive higher education and campaign experience. His successful career of alumni engagement, maximizing fundraising and outreach efforts and developing a culture of giving will advance Carlow’s vision and priorities.”
Wesley comes to Carlow with a wealth of expertise in development strategy and execution. At Alfred State College, he was responsible for all major fundraising activities including major gifts, annual fund, alumni relations and corporate relations. Additionally, he served as Executive Director for the College’s Foundation to advance and promote the interests of the institution. During his tenure, he helped realize a 61 percent increase in annual voluntary support and worked with the Foundation Board to increase the endowment by over 23 percent.
From 2007-2011, he held the position of Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota, where he oversaw an 84 percent increase in annual giving over a four-year period and increased President’s Society giving by $930,000 during the same timeframe. He also provided leadership for a comprehensive campaign effort for the institution and helped secure $1.8 million in support for the renovation of the College’s Science Center.
Earlier in his career Wesley served as Assistant Director, Operations and Research, in the Alumni/Development Office at Providence College in Rhode Island, and as Assistant Director, Special Gifts and Catholic Education for the Diocese of Providence, providing him with a keen understanding of Carlow’s unique role in the Catholic and higher education communities.Wesley received an EdD in Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University, a Masters in Educational Administration as well as History from Providence College, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.