Costello Named Vice President for Development

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Kathryn R. Costello has been appointed vice president for development at the University at Buffalo. Her appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Costello has more than 30 years of experience in development, strategic planning and management as a university senior executive and international consultant to higher education, foundations, boards of directors and trustees, and other nonprofit organizations. Since 2002, she has served as partner of Alexander Haas Martin & Partners in Atlanta, where she provides clients a wide range of services, including strategic planning, board and leadership development and philanthropy.

Costello has held senior leadership positions at the University of Georgia, Rice University, University of Maryland, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southern Methodist University and Vanderbilt University. Her professional accomplishments have included planning and implementing capital campaigns totaling more than $1 billion.

"UB is fortunate, indeed, to have identified a candidate of Kathryn Costello's stature and experience to fill the critical role of vice president for development," said UB President John B. Simpson. "Her extensive background in the higher education arena, as well as in strategic planning and institutional development, are tremendously valuable assets to UB. I look forward to the expertise, knowledge and vision she will undoubtedly bring to us."

As UB's lead officer for development, Costello is charged with fostering a climate of philanthropy among UB's senior administrators, faculty, alumni and friends. She will lead the university in three key areas: building a substantial major gifts program; exploring fundraising as a key responsibility of the UB Foundation; and creating the framework for the university's next capital campaign.

UB's strategic planning process, UB 2020, provides the university with an extraordinary basis for successful fund development, said Marsha Henderson, UB vice president for external affairs.

"UB is committed to implementing a long-term, comprehensive advancement strategy in order to support and help fund UB's ambitious goals," Henderson added. "UB requires an overarching plan for philanthropy to provide vision, the strengthening and growth of its programs and focus for coordination and collaboration among the UB's various schools and units."

As UB raises its profile among AAU institutions, addresses its academic priorities and achieves its resource and growth objectives, the vice president for development will articulate these goals in fundraising strategies, working with Simpson, deans and other senior administrators throughout UB, Henderson noted.

A native Georgian, Costello received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of Kentucky. She serves as a trustee of the International Board of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and has served as a board member on nonprofit organizations in several cities.