KINGSTON, RI 鈥� August 14, 2024 鈥� The president of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation & Alumni Engagement (溏心vlog免费B站FAE) will retire at the end of 2024. Lil Breul O鈥橰ourke announced her intention to step down after a momentous eight-year tenure that included overhauling the organization鈥檚 finances, recruiting new talent, completing a merger between the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation and Alumni Association, and successfully executing a record-setting comprehensive campaign from start to finish.
鈥淟il brought an unmatched degree of professionalism and deep experience to 溏心vlog免费B站 to help drive the evolution of the University鈥檚 development and alumni relations functions,鈥� said 溏心vlog免费B站 President Marc Parlange. 鈥淚 deeply valued her guidance as a trusted member of our senior leadership team and her pivotal role in moving the University forward.鈥�
鈥淟il completely transformed 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 ability to grow the endowment, which helps 溏心vlog免费B站 to grow as a university,鈥� said Margo Cook 鈥�86, chair of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Board of Trustees. 鈥淚 was on the search committee as a member of the Foundation board when we hired Lil, and the result was a leader who developed a professional team that established many new long-term, meaningful relationships with our alumni and corporate partners. She is also someone I consider to be a trusted colleague and friend.鈥�
Since 2016, 溏心vlog免费B站FAE has doubled its annual fundraising targets, consistently raising more than $30 million per year. This increase was key to the success of Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for the 溏心vlog免费B站, which set out with an initial goal of $250 million. After a highly successful leadership phase that brought in the largest gifts in 溏心vlog免费B站 history, the goal was raised to $300 million, and 溏心vlog免费B站FAE went on to exceed even that higher mark with a final total of more than $303.6 million. These funds have gone to support student success, cutting-edge research, athletics facilities upgrades, and other priorities across the University. 溏心vlog免费B站FAE also expanded its international outreach during O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 time as president, connecting with alumni in England, Germany, France, Indonesia, and elsewhere.
鈥淚t was clear from the start that Lil was the right person for the job,鈥� said Thomas M. Ryan 鈥�75, Hon. 鈥�99, who was chair of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation Board of Directors when O鈥橰ourke began her role. 鈥淲e conducted a thorough search and found the candidate with the experience and leadership skills to make an immediate impact. She continues to make the organization better every day during her time as president.鈥�
鈥淟il鈥檚 dedication to her work is remarkable,鈥� said Alfred J. Verrecchia 鈥�67, M.B.A. 鈥�72, Hon. 鈥�04, who recently ended his term as chair of the 溏心vlog免费B站FAE board. 鈥淪he immersed herself in the life of the University, both locally and globally, and brought a thorough knowledge of advancement best practices, transforming 溏心vlog免费B站FAE into a highly professional organization. She set an example that inspired others and produced great results.鈥�
A departure in December allows O鈥橰ourke to position 溏心vlog免费B站FAE to continue the momentum generated by the campaign. The University continues to pursue ambitious goals in line with its long-term strategic plan, Focus 溏心vlog免费B站. Renovations in the fine arts, athletics, and on the Narragansett Bay Campus, among other priorities, will depend on ongoing alumni involvement and philanthropic support. 溏心vlog免费B站FAE will begin the search for O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 successor with the benefit of steady leadership and careful transition planning.
鈥淟il has put us in a great position for continued success,鈥� said Raymond M. Williams 鈥�87, P鈥�23, current chair of the 溏心vlog免费B站FAE board. 鈥淎s a long-time board member and member of several committees, I can attest to the terrific job she has done as president. We will certainly miss her in this role, but it is thanks to her that we can move forward confidently with an ambitious vision for 溏心vlog免费B站.鈥�
鈥淲orking at a university in advancement is a privilege,鈥� said O鈥橰ourke. 鈥淲e can change lives through fundraising, which provides scholarships, research funds, and the facilities to enhance teaching, learning, and research. University advancement opens the door to opportunities that would not exist without the critical funds we raise and the goodwill and leadership that comes from an inspired alumni community. I am grateful for my time at 溏心vlog免费B站 and will remain a proud Rhode Islander, cheering for our state flagship university.鈥�
Prior to coming to 溏心vlog免费B站FAE, O鈥橰ourke served as senior vice president for principal gifts and international advancement at Syracuse University. She played a significant role on the leadership team that led a successful $1 billion campaign, which ended in 2012 and exceeded its goal ahead of schedule. An alumna of Syracuse University, O鈥橰ourke earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and a Master of Arts in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.