David Pula Email & Phone Number

Worcester, Massachusetts

Currently, I am a senior front-line fundraiser within the Division of University Advancement (UA) drawing on my deep sales and business development expertise to secure major gifts exceeding $100K each from a strategic donor portfolio of 150+ prospects each year. For highlights of my contributions and achievements, I…◆Design high-value donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, to achieve $2M+ annual fundraising goals.◆Take new members of the Leadership Giving team under wing, training and mentoring each on best development and donor relations practices.◆Employ Salesforce as the enterprise development solutions to effectively manage both donors and gift giving campaigns.◆Work hand-in-hand with key leaders representing Planned Giving, Alumni Relations, Communications & Marketing, and other departments to drive annual giving, as well as support other initiatives.◆Foster a collaborative, service-oriented environment within the University Advancement Division to achieve the annual goals of the Division. Collaborating with department heads and key faculty and staff on major gift initiatives. ◆Travel extensively, completing 140+ visits annually to forge/foster powerful relationships directly with prospects.◆Was a key leader on the WPI Now Committee, which continues to develop new fee-based digital educational programs for students, alumni, and others. The goal is to serve the credentialing needs of 750 enrollees over five-years with high-value professional development programs.◆Collaborate with UA, the Office of Commercialization, and the Corporate Connect Team to secure industry sponsorships for major projects, named spaces, departments, programs, and other areas.◆Negotiated a 10-year commitment from Microsoft to sponsor the WPI Data Science department’s Women in Data Science Annual Conference (WiDs).◆Spearheaded the design of the university’s Parent Fundraising Strategy, to increase parent gift giving.

Winchendon, Ma

I was promoted to my culminating role overseeing the Leadership Giving program and all Planned Giving efforts for the school. As such, I continued to optimize the performance of a talented team executing all operations to secure 75% of total annual giving. Among my key contributions and achievements during this period, I…◆Cultivated/stewarded 75 to 100 Leadership Gift prospects, while developing/managing the annual giving budget and maximizing ROI.◆Designed/refined the Annual Giving program, ensuring appropriate resources were provided to maximize returns.◆Boosted giving by 158% and quadrupled total prospect visits vs. prior year within first year, while staying within budget parameters.◆Presented regular updates to the Headmaster and quarterly updates to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees’ Development Committee.◆Set individual goals for the Gift Officers and continually measured and worked to improve the performance of all team members.◆Crafted a new strategy/framework to improve International Fundraising performance.

Belchertown, Ma

I was onboarded initially to be directly responsible for delivering up to 60% of the annual giving target ($1M-$1.5M), while managing 150-175 high-value alumni, parent, and major gift prospects. In my leadership role, I…◆Devised a multi-channel, integrated strategic plan to reinvigorate giving from current, lapsed, and prospective donors and meet/exceed Annual Fund targets. I succeeded in boosting gifts by 28% and number of donors by 11% in FY 2014 vs. FY 2013, with FY 2015 surpassing FY 2014 numbers by 26% for gifts and 18% for donors.◆Was instrumental in launching the annual Perry Dye Alumni Golf Event & Reception in Denver, CO, as well as planning and hosting a highly successful Reunion Weekend and annual student Phone-a-thon.

Amherst, Ma

I catalyzed strong growth in the number of prospective donors among Isenberg School of Management alums, to create a donor base of between 150 and 175 prospects. In addition, I increased the major gift ($25K+) giving for the school. As key efforts during this role, I…◆Created the 1972 Society Annual Fund in celebration of the Mark H. McCormack Department’s 40th Anniversary. The program developed and increased networking opportunities between current Sports Management students and alumni to continue boosting alumni participation in terms of both engagement and gifts. Internship and employment opportunities for students increased in the Sport's Industry, with alumni participation rising from a stagnant 7.2% to 28.7% over a six-week period alone.◆Engaged with the Director of Development & Principal Gifts to rollout effective programs that significantly strengthened strategic partnerships with alumni and business leaders.◆Built and directed a vibrant volunteer network, as well as several advisory boards within the school.◆Forged a dynamic partnership with the Boston Red Sox to host the annual Isenberg Networking Event and launch the Isenberg Business Leadership Awards Banquet.

Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Area

As a representative for Pfizer, I was a consistent top 10% sales performer, including three years straight over one stretch, within the New England Region, earning multiple accolades/awards, while taking the territory sales rank from #323 to #4 out of 347 territories. For key contributions and achievements, I…◆Utilized a customer-focused sales approach to generate $8.7M in revenue annually for the pharmaceutical giant, while building mutually beneficial relationships with Physicians, Pharmacists, and other stakeholders.◆Carefully analyzed trends and leveraged insights to enhance sales strategies and target high-value accounts.◆Established relationships with decision-makers at various accounts ranging from emerging growth opportunities to well established hospital institutions.◆Developed mutually beneficial partnerships with physicians, pharmacists, hospital staff, peers, and office management to determine needs and goals of the customer. ◆Continually exceeded product sales targets every year to beat regional goals.◆Received the Rookie of the Year; which was awarded to the individual who had the highest revenue increase in their first 12 months working for Pfizer, and was a multiple recipient of the Vice Presidents Club Award; which was awarded to the highest performing individual in their division, resulting in an annual total of 20 winners nationally.◆Created and performed high-performance product presentations delivered to long-term care facilities and hospital departments (Respiratory, Emergency, Pharmacy, etc.).

Enfield, Connecticut, United States

◆Challenged to process disability claims and educate clients on their particular benefits. Serviced about 500 clients processing claims, paying out benefits, applying policy payments, and working hand in hand with the Disability Income Underwriting Staff.◆Handled customer claims by establishing fair compromises for the benefit of the customer and company, always working with the customer's best interest in mind.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States

◆Duties included servicing customers and selling the total solution stocking and rotation of product and to build product displays when new models would arrive. I also served as Department Head for the Home Audio and Asst. Head of the TV Department.

Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

◆Served as a dorm parent and head of the Science Department for the summer semester. Responsible for creating the summer science curriculum and organizing and structuring activities for the dorm.

B.S.B.A., Business Management, History, And Political Science

Activities and Societies: During my years at the University of Hartford I worked full time while attending school and held a variety.

Diploma, High School/College Prep

Activities and Societies: Varsity Hockey, Gold Key Society, Benton Scholar, and Admissions Office Intern•Gold Key Society, VIP Tour Guide.

Diploma, Pre-Prep

Activities and Societies: Student Ambassador, Dorm Proctor, Class Agent/ Class OfficerTeam Sports: Varsity Hockey; JV and Varsity Baseball.