VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University today announced the appointment of Marti K.S. Heil as vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, effective Sept. 15.

Heil, a nationally recognized leader in higher education fundraising, currently is senior vice president for development at the Indiana University Foundation, where she directs all fund raising activities and capital campaigns.

VCU President Michael Rao said Heil’s appointment follows a competitive, national search for the position that serves as chief advancement officer of VCU and the VCU Medical Center. He noted that Heil is the latest in a series of senior leadership hires from the country’s strongest research universities.

“This is a new era of fundraising at VCU,” Rao said. “As a nationally competitive university, VCU must secure adequate investment in outstanding faculty, student scholarships and programs, and facilities that inspire learning and innovation.”

Heil has the experience, energy and commitment to lead the development efforts necessary to support VCU’s strategic rise as one of the country’s top 50 public research universities, Rao said.

In previous positions, Heil directed several capital campaigns that each exceeded $1 billion goals. Under her leadership, Indiana University in 2010 was named first among public institutions of higher education for overall fundraising results.

“This is a critical time in the life of a vibrant university, and I am most excited about being afforded the opportunity to build upon the successes VCU has experienced and expand its fund raising efforts to achieve new levels of philanthropic accomplishments,” Heil said.

Prior to Indiana University, Heil served a distinguished 29 years at Michigan State University, where she rose through the development ranks to be associate vice president and director of development, the university development’s chief operating officer. She was responsible for 35 separate fund raising programs across the university, directed a 175-member staff and managed a $14 million operating budget. Heil successfully co-directed a $1.2 billion comprehensive capital campaign, more than doubling annual average giving totals. During her tenure, university giving increased by 142 percent.

Heil began her career with the Capital Area United Way in Lansing, Mich. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.