My dad used to say that education is the greatest gift—one which can never be taken away from you, but which you can share freely with others. In that spirit, I am thrilled to return to higher education and institutional advancement as the Director of Development, Gift Planning here at Drexel. Gift planning provides the opportunity to work with and learn from a diverse group of individuals, all united by one common goal: to change lives for the better, forever.
Here’s a little about me. I was raised in Massachusetts, educated here in Philadelphia, and live at the Jersey Shore—and all with no discernable accent! I have one son, one dog, and a partner who always makes me laugh. I like to have sand in my shoes and I spend a fair amount of time enjoying the beaches and ocean at the Shore. Gardening, reading, writing and travel are all important to me.
Although I began my career in arts and culture, my experience has been focused on youth development, higher education, and human services. I was fortunate to receive a graduate assistantship at Drexel, which underwrote my master’s degree. My experience in higher education includes time in marketing at Stockton University and as a faculty member at Rutgers. As a certified fundraising executive (CFRE), I have served federated nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, Covenant House, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and as a Chief Development Officer, I have conducted capital campaigns, rebuilt development offices, and worked closely with donors on gifts of appreciated stock, bequests, DAF directions, beneficiary designations, and tax advantaged giving.
Now, I’m proud to be back at Drexel helping give students the gift of a world-class education. As the Director of Development, Gift Planning I have already begun connecting with Drexel’s passionate community of alumni and supporters.
So far, I’ve talked with an engineering alumnus, also a graduate of Carnegie Mellon and MIT, who wants to support Drexel in his legacy planning; I met with a gentleman who is poised to execute his 163rd charitable gift annuity, and who uses his payments to fund his varied philanthropic interests; and recently, I connected with a group of alumni whose Drexel co-ops allowed them to pay their tuition—and who want to pay that forward by creating a named, endowed scholarship with a planned gift of $100,000 or more.
I look forward to continuing these inspiring conversations and working with colleagues and donors to identify the smartest, most tax efficient avenues for supporting continued innovation at Drexel. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at jak452@drexel.edu. I look forward to many fruitful conversations to come.