Wells to step down as VP of philanthropy and alumni engagement after successful 5-year tenure

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Nancy Wells is stepping down as vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement (PAE), effective July 1, after a successful five-year tenure that has seen numerous accomplishments, including undertaking a thorough assessment of the university’s philanthropic and alumni engagement activities to position the organization for greater productivity, focus and success.

Wells came to UB in 2012 after a successful career in higher education and health care fundraising.

During her time at the university, Wells significantly strengthened UB’s fundraising and alumni outreach efforts. She implemented major organizational changes to the division by building on staff strength and expertise, resulting in a strategic and efficient organization positioned to support UB to achieve even greater levels of excellence.

Wells elevated engagement of UB alumni in order to position alumni as strategic partners of the university, creating numerous and meaningful opportunities for alumni to support and advance the mission of the university.

She launched the annual Volunteer Leadership Summit to honor alumni and other volunteer leaders, while also providing a forum for volunteers to network across UB, learn from each other, and celebrate and inspire a continued spirit of volunteerism for the benefit of UB students.

"During Nancy’s tenure as vice president, she elevated the importance of philanthropy and alumni engagement across our university and engendered the incredible support of our alumni and friends," said President Satish K. Tripathi. "Nancy leaves UB strongly positioned to continue its important work."

Under Wells’ leadership philanthropic gifts and pledges increased 60 percent at UB and alumni engagement levels increased significantly.

In addition to the Volunteer Leadership Summit, Wells successfully launched a number of other programs, including the UB Alumni Association’s “Everyone is a Member Campaign,” the UB Fund and all-alumni “signature” events in key regions of the United States. In addition, the division focused its efforts on creating programming that encouraged the participation of young alumni and advanced alumni career networking opportunities

The university will launch a national search for vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement in the coming months.