Executive Brief

Associate Vice President of Collegiate Development
Kansas State University Foundation

Kansas State University Foundation

The Kansas State University Foundation is Kansas State University’s strategic partner for philanthropy and the official entity through which private support is raised and managed on behalf of the institution. The Foundation works to connect donor interests with university priorities, helping to advance K-State’s mission through investment in students, faculty, academic excellence, research, programs, and capital initiatives. In addition to fundraising and donor engagement, the Foundation provides stewardship and prudent management of philanthropic assets, ensuring long-term support for the university’s continued growth and impact.

Who We Are: The KSU Foundation is K-State’s strategic partner for philanthropy

Promise: The KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State

Vision: The Kansas State University Foundation is helping to build the world’s finest land-grant university

Mission: Secure and prudently manage private gifts in support of Kansas State University and foster a culture that unites philanthropic desires with university priorities

Values:
We build TRUST through our interactions, decisions and work
We cultivate a PURPOSE driven culture inspired by the power of philanthropy
Through big thinking and pioneering spirit, we pursue EXCELLENCE
We celebrate K-State FAMILY with genuine warmth and care

  • Our legal structure shall allow us to be more effective for the University, rather than separate us from the University
     
  • We will promote and demonstrate the value of philanthropy to K-State
     
  • We will engage and partner with the University, Alumni Association and K-State Athletics in fulfilling our mission
     
  • We will be guided by best practices in donor-centered fundraising
     
  • We will dedicate ourselves to providing extraordinary service and represent the Foundation in a professional manner
     
  • We will engage volunteers in fulfilling our mission
     
  • We will value the role of each employee and help them achieve their full potential
     
  • We will work as a team, promoting & valuing interactive work between departments
     
  • We will be guided by accurate information and data that is focused on donor needs
     
  • We will operate and manage contributions in a fiscally responsible manner
     
  • We will work with our university partners to ensure adherence to donor designations

KSU's Culture Statement

We cultivate a culture of excellence that celebrates and rewards initiative, resilience, courage and results.

We work alongside passionate, caring, talented people who trust and challenge us in our intentional pursuit to be the best.

We offer resources for professional growth so that team members can find their purpose, a path to grow, ways to add value and thrive.

We find solutions as a family while aiming for individual excellence, collective success and meaningful outcomes.

a) Fiscal Year 2026 Goals
b) FY25 Annual Report
c) Long Term Objectives

Kansas State University Foundation – Leadership Spotlights

Greg Willems
President/Chief Executive Officer

Greg Willems is president & CEO of the Kansas State University (KSU) Foundation, beginning his service in February 2015. The KSU Foundation has $1.7B in total assets, employs 152 staff, raises an average of $225M a year, manages investments for a $1B+ endowment, operates a real estate development and asset enterprise of $235M, and recently completed a record setting $1.6B campaign.

The KSU Foundation is a recognized national leader in enterprise culture, board governance excellence, progressive advancement techniques, data science & technology use, and higher impact practice for donor engagement and experience.

Willems serves as Chair of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) National Committee on College & University Foundations, The Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Council of Foundation Leaders and AGB’s Trusteeship Magazine Editorial Advisory Board as a consulting editor. He is a frequent speaker and contributor on topic sessions at CASE and AGB annual meetings, panels and thought leadership engagements.

Prior to his service at the KSU Foundation, Willems served as the vice president for development at the University of Hawaii Foundation; executive director of development at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada; and senior director of development for the Texas A&M Foundation.

Eric Holderness
Vice President of Development

Eric Holderness is the Vice President of Development at the Kansas State University Foundation. With over 15 years of extensive experience in fundraising and relationship management, Eric has a proven track record of achieving significant fundraising milestones. He has served in various roles throughout the $1.6 billion Innovation & Inspiration Campaign.

Eric holds a master’s degree in college student counseling and personnel services and a bachelor's degree in advertising from Kansas State University. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2016.

In 2019, Eric was recognized in EverTrue’s 40 Under 40. Recently, he accepted an invitation to serve on the CASE Commission on Philanthropy. Additionally, Eric was selected as a 2024 Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce 20 under 40 winner.

Sheila Walker
Senior Associate Vice President of Development

Sheila Walker serves as Senior Associate Vice President at the KSU Foundation. She has been with the Foundation since 2004, bringing more than two decades of experience in fundraising, team leadership, and institutional advancement.

Sheila began her career at the Foundation as a Development Officer and later led the Arts & Sciences Development team. Since 2018, she has served as Associate Vice President of Collegiate Development. In her new role, Sheila is overseeing three core areas: Collegiate Development, Gift Planning, and University-wide Lead Generation.

Sheila has helped raise $100 million in philanthropic support for K-State. She is recognized for her commitment to talent development and has played a significant role in mentoring and advancing the careers of numerous colleagues within the Foundation.

Sheila holds a degree in journalism and mass communications from KSU.

Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a leading public research and land-grant institution with a longstanding commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service. Founded in 1863 as the nation’s first operational land-grant university, K-State serves students across multiple campuses and online programs while advancing innovation, discovery, and community impact in Kansas and beyond. The university is widely recognized for its collaborative culture, student-centered environment, and mission-driven approach to preparing graduates to lead and make meaningful contributions in their fields and communities.

Kansas State University – Leadership Spotlight

Dr. Richard H. Linton
President of Kansas State University

Dr. Richard H. Linton is the 15th president of Kansas State University, serving in the role since February 2022. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology (1988), master’s degree in food science (1991) and Ph.D. in food science (1994), all from Virginia Tech University. Linton participated in the Food Systems Leadership Institute from 2009 to 2011 and completed the Harvard Graduate School’s Institutional Educational Management Program in 2018.

At Kansas State University, Linton has led the creation and implementation of Next-Gen K-State, a strategic plan that will guide the university through 2030 and beyond. This initiative has resulted in significant advancements in student recruitment and success, a remarkable increase in research funding, enhanced statewide engagement and economic development, improvements in research and teaching facilities, record-breaking fundraising and competitive achievements in athletics. This new university strategy has increased undergraduate and graduate student numbers to over 20,000, enhanced competitive research by more than 20%, brought in nearly $700 million through philanthropy, and led to over $150 million in state and federal support. Key universitywide initiatives created by the plan include a statewide economic growth plan called K-State 105, and interdisciplinary efforts, including in biomanufacturing and biosciences, digital agriculture and advanced analytics, and water.

Before joining Kansas State University, Linton served as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University (2012-2022), department chair of food science and technology at The Ohio State University (2011-2012) and a faculty member in the Department of Food Science at Purdue University (1994-2011). At Purdue, Linton was the founding director of the Center for Food Safety Engineering and the associate director of agricultural research programs.

As dean at NC State, Linton led a college of over 300 faculty, 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students. Under his direction, the college developed a strategic plan focused on enhancing people, programs and partnerships. Collaboration with industry and government were critical to the mission of the college, and Linton’s dedication was demonstrated through the NC Plant Sciences Initiative and the NC Food Processing and Manufacturing Initiative, both aimed at job creation and addressing global agricultural challenges. Under his leadership, competitive research for the college reached $100 million annually, and the college raised $482 million during the NC State Capital Campaign.

Linton has held several key leadership roles, including membership on the Food and Drug Administration’s Science Advisory Board and serving as chair for the Binational (Israel/U.S.) Agricultural Research and Development Fund, a position he was appointed to by the U.S. secretary of agriculture in 2018. He also previously chaired the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities Healthy Food Systems, Healthy People Steering Committee and the NC Governor's Task Force on Food Manufacturing.

President Linton and his wife, Sally, an ADHD/executive function life coach, have two children: a daughter, Lily, and a son, Chris.

The Opportunity: Associate Vice President of Collegiate Development

KSU Foundation – AVP of Collegiate Development – Job Description (PDF Download)

Position Summary

The Associate Vice President of Collegiate Development (AVP) leads the vision, strategy, and leadership for the collegiate fundraising units. This position creates and implements an integrated and collaborative fundraising methodology at all levels of giving. The AVP builds a strategy to maximize the lifetime value of donors to include the donor experience. This position builds and leads results-oriented teams and fosters a leadership style that builds confidence and accountability. They cultivate strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and empower their direct reports to do the same. This position collaborates with stakeholders to establish clear production and stretch goals to meet the evolving fundraising needs of the University.

Responsibilities, Requirements, and Expectations

  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight to collegiate fundraising units. Partner with leadership to set vision, align cross-functional strategies, and drive philanthropic goals.
     
  • Assess the effectiveness of the collegiate fundraising practices and recommend enhancements; lead change management efforts, monitor adoption, and address stakeholder questions and concerns.
     
  • Implement and promote the organization’s fundraising methodology, ensuring consistent adoption, effective use, and ongoing evolution.
     
  • Work closely with University administration and volunteer leadership to maximize and optimize fundraising opportunities.
     
  • Build, support, and maintain a high functioning team in line with the organization’s budget and growth plans.
     
  • Manage a portfolio of primarily principal gift level donors.
     
  • Serve as a member of the principal gift work group to develop the strategy of stewardship, cultivation, and advancement of philanthropic relationships.
     
  • Travel with team members to support, coach, observe and educate others to enhance professional development, collaboration and refinement of skills.
     
  • Lead quarterly meetings with college Deans, including an annual retrospective partnership report.
     
  • Support and train new Deans, serve on Dean search committees as requested, and attend collegiate donor and Board of Trustees events.
     
  • May manage staff, including recruitment, retention, performance management, coaching, and development. Utilize KSUF resources to facilitate professional development for the team and grow the talent pipeline.
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, or related degree field
     
  • 10+ years of metrics-driven fundraising experience requiring measurable output, with an emphasis on managing a portfolio of donors and closing gifts
     
  • 7+ years of leadership experience overseeing individual contributors with a proven ability to inspire teams and effectively give and receive constructive feedback
     
  • Proven track record as a successful major gift and/or principal gift fundraiser, with experience cultivating and deepening donor relationships over time
     
  • Demonstrated commitment to accountability including achieving goals, upholding data and process integrity, and modeling professional responsibility
     
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
     
  • Demonstrated ability to build, motivate, and unify a team of diverse personalities and experience levels
     
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively across university administration and leadership, donors, and corporate partners
     
  • Ability to work independently with minimal oversight while collaborating effectively across varying levels of the organization
     
  • A valid motor vehicle operator's license and acceptable driving record
  • Leadership experience overseeing other leaders of people with a proven ability to inspire teams and effectively give and receive constructive feedback
     
  • Proven success in administering a diverse major gift fundraising program serving multiple constituencies
     
  • Experience creating and executing fundraising strategies part of a leadership team

The Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for all employees to succeed by creating an environment that is engaging and draws upon the strengths and personal experiences of each individual.

Managers cultivate a supportive, welcoming, and equitable work environment by modeling inclusive behaviors, setting expectations of direct reports, and responding to discriminatory behavior. In our pursuit to build and maintain a high-performing team, managers are responsible for fostering an environment where all employees feel a sense of belonging.

  • Travel required
  • Work is primarily sedentary. Must be able to sit for long periods of time. May require occasional physical exertion such as long periods of sitting or standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.

Compensation and Benefits

$180,000 - $200,000

KSUF - Benefits Summary 2026

Notice

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Regular attendance is required in this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The Kansas State University Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications & Nominations

Kansas State University Foundation has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Wendy Wilsker
Managing Partner, Boston
wwilsker@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.

Lindsey Gale
Senior Associate, Boston
lgale@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Lindsey Gale has extensive experience in social impact with nearly 25 years of success in executive search, fundraising and consulting. She is an accomplished relationship builder, strategist, communicator and community influencer, and applies these skills to help individuals and a variety of non-profit organizations achieve their goals.

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.

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