With Boyden’s support, Loyola Marymount University built a high-performing advancement team by filling 15 key fundraising roles over five years, strengthening collaboration, continuity, and campaign readiness.
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) has partnered with Boyden to fill 15 advancement positions in the last five years. As we begin 2026, nearly two-thirds of LMU’s major and annual gift fundraisers have been selected through a Boyden-led process, as well as team members in planned giving and corporate and foundation relations. Boyden and LMU have forged a true partnership, with LMU leaders recently reflecting that they don’t feel like a client. Rather, “the Boyden team is an extension of us.”
Over the last five years, LMU has retained Boyden to fill all director- and senior director-level development positions, to rebuild their annual giving team, and to identify staff who would strengthen and advance their planned giving and grant writing functions. An additional, overarching goal was to enhance an intentionally collaborative and positive work culture. During this leadership phase of LMU’s comprehensive campaign, they partnered with Boyden on both newly created roles and those that were recently vacated, to ensure a cohesive unit dedicated to advancing the university’s mission.
With each search, the Boyden team met with key stakeholders, connecting with leaders across campus to understand the needs of each unique role. While honoring the specific background and skill set required for success in each position, Boyden put a priority on identifying candidates who—above all—valued collaboration, curiosity, and a mission-driven approach to their work. With this lens, Boyden worked alongside LMU to drive an intentional enhancement of culture. The hiring team was consistently focused on bringing aboard candidates who would work cohesively as a team, bring a positive energy to their work, and who would be a cultural add to their collaborative environment. They have developed a deep trust in Boyden that the search team understands their needs.
After five years of partnership, 15 hires (including two internal promotions), one joint conference presentation, and a campaign set to launch this year, both teams have learned a great deal from the other. Boyden is honored to represent the leadership, spirit, and dedication of LMU’s advancement unit and LMU knows that a candidate brought in through the Boyden process will possess not only the skill set for the job, but the intangibles that make Loyola Marymount the special place it is.
Additionally, our LMU colleagues have seen a cumulative effect—with each new hire strengthening the team already in place. They are seeing cross-collaboration, shared learning, and joint gift conversations that are furthering strategy—and outcomes.
