Executive Brief

International and Major Gifts Officer
Dana Hall School

Dana Hall School

Dana Hall is an independent boarding and day school for girls in grades 5-12. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Dana Hall offers a dynamic and challenging academic program in an environment with a deep commitment to social and emotional learning. It’s a place where students discover and celebrate exactly who they are, and use that understanding to forge meaningful, successful lives. Dana Hall is a top all-girls school in Massachusetts where students learn how to lead the discussions and immerse themselves in the quest to question and grow—in the library, lab, and classroom, and on the stage and playing field.

As the metropolitan area’s sole girls’ boarding school, Dana Hall’s 55-acre campus is nestled among residential neighborhoods, just a five-minute walk from the center of town and a 30-minute train ride to Boston. Dana Hall is also distinguished as the region’s only school with a comprehensive equestrian program, offering students access to exceptional riding facilities and competitive opportunities.

At a Glance:

Audacious since 1881, Dana Hall School has always been dedicated to providing the vigorous education that every girl deserves—one that’s academically ambitious, rich with opportunity, and fiercely empowering.

Click here to view Dana Hall's data for the 2025-26 school year.

The Campus:

Dana Hall's Advancement Department

Dana Hall School’s Advancement Department, led by Chief Advancement Officer, Christie Baskett, alongside a dedicated team of development and alumnae relations professionals, is spearheading Fearless Futures: The Campaign for Dana Hall School—a historic, multi-year, $75 million comprehensive campaign. With $73.6 million already raised toward the goal, the campaign supports five key priorities: growing the endowment to $100 million to fund financial aid and programming; strengthening the annual Dana Fund for current-year needs; renovating the Upper School classroom building to enhance project-based learning; fostering community impact and experiential opportunities; and completing Sisters Field with a state‑of‑the‑art turf athletic facility. Using a full spectrum of giving options—from one-time, multi-year, planned, and legacy gifts to naming opportunities—the Advancement team has successfully engaged alumnae, parents, and friends to support Dana Hall’s vision for an enduring, transformative educational future.

Leadership Spotlight

Betsy Rigby – Director of Development

Betsy Rigby
Director of Development

Betsy Rigby has worked in the field of fundraising in the Boston area for over 30 years for both small nonprofits and for the largest healthcare system in the state, both as a staff member and as a consultant, and in both frontline and managerial roles. For the Partners HealthCare system, she created the first talent management program in healthcare in the area. As a consultant, she worked with clients as diverse as St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, California State University Long Beach, and the Salvation Army. At Dana Hall, she is working with parent and alumnae donors to complete the school's largest campaign and teaches a class on philanthropy to seniors. She has been active in professional organizations her whole career, having served on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Women in Development of Greater Boston and as the Development Chair for the Group for Institutional Advancement of the AAMC. She currently serves on the distribution committees of three grant-making organizations. She holds a Bachelor's from Tufts University and a Master's from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The Opportunity: International and Major Gifts Officer

Dana Hall – International and Major Gifts Officer – Job Description (PDF Download)

Position Summary

Dana Hall School seeks an accomplished, relationship-driven International & Major Gifts Officer to advance the School’s philanthropic priorities through strategic donor engagement and frontline fundraising. This role is responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of approximately 150 qualified international and major gift prospects, including current parents, past parents, and alumnae, with a focus on securing gifts of $25,000 and above for the annual fund and other institutional priorities.

The International & Major Gifts Officer will cultivate meaningful relationships across a global community, re-engage alumnae in advance of the School’s 150th anniversary, and develop thoughtful, audience-specific strategies that align donor interests with Dana Hall’s mission and vision. The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record of major gift success, cultural fluency, excellent collaboration skills, and a deep commitment to building community and fostering inclusive practices.

Reports to: Director of Development

Responsibilities, Qualifications, and Expectations

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and execute ambitious fundraising strategies for a portfolio of approximately 150 international and major gift prospects and donors.
Manage prospects through the full gift cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Secure gifts of $25,000 and above in support of the annual fund and other School priorities, with the capacity to pursue major and principal gifts.
Build on an existing portfolio while cultivating new relationships with current and prospective donor families each year.
Re-engage alumnae around the world, particularly in advance of Dana Hall School’s upcoming 150th anniversary.
Build strong, trust-based relationships with donors and prospects through tailored outreach, in-person meetings, events, and international travel.
Lead and support engagement efforts for the International Parent Group, including meetings and relationship management.
Design and implement customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align donor philanthropic interests with institutional priorities.
Adapt and refine Dana Hall messaging for international and major gift audiences, using the most effective communication channels for diverse constituencies.
Partner closely with Advancement colleagues, senior leadership, faculty, and the Admissions Office to ensure coordinated and effective fundraising efforts.
Maintain accurate records of donor activity, strategy, and pipeline movement using Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
Participate actively in School events, receptions, and community activities, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, including personally soliciting and closing gifts in the $25,000+ range.
Experience working with international donors or global constituencies preferred.
Demonstrated cultural competency and the ability to work effectively across diverse international audiences and communication styles.
Strong relationship-building, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality work.
High level of discretion and judgement in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Experience with CRM systems required; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge/NXT strongly preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Apps.
Second language proficiency preferred.
Commitment to Dana Hall School’s mission and values.

Personal Attributes:

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

A collaborative, team-oriented approach
Strong initiative and sound judgement
Exceptional attention to detail
Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic school environment
A commitment to community building, belonging, equity, and inclusive practice
The ability to develop collaborative solutions to complex challenges

Compensation:

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $84,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience.

Applications & Nominations

Dana Hall School has partnered with Boyden. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner, Boston
lvuona@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.

Sara Swisher-Anderson
Principal
sanderson@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Sara Swisher-Anderson is an accomplished executive search professional and human capital expert with more than 15 years’ experience and a strong track record of successful searches. Specializing in the non-profit and higher education sectors, she partners with leadership teams to develop strategies and recruit transformative leaders capable of driving organizational growth and resilience.

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.