Meredith N. Brunen, Ed.D. Email & Phone Number

United States

United States

Conway, Arkansas, United States

Metro Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Lead the University Advancement division, providing strategic leadership, counsel and assistance in the areas of development, alumni relations, advancement services, donor relations and stewardship, and special events; Serve as chief executive officer of the University’s institutionally-affiliated nonprofit corporations.

Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Led University Advancement division, providing strategic leadership, counsel and partnership in the areas of alumni relations, advancement services, development, marketing and communications, and special events. Served as chief executive officer of the University’s institutionally-affiliated non-profit corporations: USC Upstate Foundation and Capital Development Foundation; manage $13 million endowment. Served on the Chancellor’s Executive Team, working closely with the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Advancement team, and institutionally-related volunteer boards to grow enrollment, enhance visibility and increase private resources. Worked extensively to successfully enhance fundraising outcomes for the university, elevate the profile of USC Upstate, and engage community partners through a shared strategic vision. Hired top talent, established new standards of professionalism around communication and fundraising initiatives, and cultivated relationships and pride among graduates, donors, and community stakeholders. Secured philanthropic support by engaging alumni and friends throughout the Upstate region and beyond by building and strengthening relationships between the University and the community. Provided strategic leadership to academic, athletic, and administrative units with regard to all fundraising, alumni, communication, and special event activities. Built awareness and increase visibility through integrated marketing and communications.

Spartanburg, Sc

Appointed to lead the university during critical leadership transition within the UofSC system.

Pensacola, Florida Area

Led, planned and implemented all fundraising programs, including 50th Anniversary campaign; solicited and stewarded major gifts from University's key alumni and friends to meet annual fundraising goals; provided leadership for the University's marketing and creative services/public relations efforts, and personally advocate University's mission both internally and externally; served as key liaison to and engage members of UWF's Foundation Board of Directors, National Alumni Association Board of Directors, UWF Historic Trust Board of Directors and, as appropriate, Board of Trustees; served as the University's senior administrative liaison to UWF Foundation, Inc. and its Board of Directors on fiduciary and advancement matters; provided administrative management and oversight of the division's strategic planning and goal-setting process, budgets, policies and procedures; build positive relationships on-campus and off-campus with key alumni, donors, business and community leaders, and others that result in understanding of and support for the University's mission; recruit, retain and motivate highly competent and dedicated staff; oversee community engagement.

Pensacola, Florida Area

Serve as principal advisor to the Vice President for University Advancement on all division matters, as well as provide leadership, strategic planning, counsel and assistance to unit directors within the Division of Advancement on matters related to fundraising, accountability, and staffing. Additionally, lead and manage campus-wide development activities in consultation with deans and directors of individual colleges, schools, direct support organizations and athletics.

Bentonville, Ar

Responsible for daily operations of the College's 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation and all facets of philanthropic giving, including annual, major and planned giving, in addition to alumni relations, capital projects, programmatic priorities, annual and endowed scholarships and special events; acted as primary liaison to 30-member regional board of directors; provided broad-based visioning and planning as part of President's Cabinet to ensure alignment of Foundation's fundraising priorities with College's strategic direction and goals for diversifying the resource base.

Bentonville, Ar

Responsible for cultivating unrestricted funds through direct mail and annual employee campaign; crafted media releases covering recent gift announcements and upcoming events, prepared targeted content for The President's Circle newsletter; established relationships to garner annual and endowed scholarship support; engaged Foundation Board of Directors in fundraising priorities; oversaw alumni association program development; coordinated annual scholarship gala, scholarship luncheon, and other special events; provided key strategic support in long-range planning and evaluation.

Bentonville, Ar

Crafted and implemented fundraising efforts in the areas of scholarships, annual giving, and alumni relations; built meaningful long-lasting relationships with donors, prospects and community leaders; developed solicitation materials, gift proposals, presentations and reports; coordinated all special events, including annual gala, scholarship luncheon, and employee campaign; assisted with campaign strategies for comprehensive capital campaign.

Little Rock, Arkansas Area

Facilitated and strengthened strategic partnerships; developed mutually beneficial relationships to advance philanthropic goals; led corporate membership program, ensuring proper stewardship of existing members and cultivation of new members; initiated new annual giving program, The Museum Circle, including development of benefits and marketing materials; researched and wrote grants; and prepared impact reports for regional and national foundations.

Bentonville, Ar

Spearheaded inaugural employee campaign reaching over 80% participation; responsible for scholarship program including stewardship of donors and accounts; planed, organized, and solicited sponsorships for special event fundraisers; managed the development and implementation of an alumni association; assisted with development and coordination of communication materials including newsletters, brochures, webpage content and social media posts; served as liaison to campus and the community.

Fayetteville, Ar

Performed administrative duties in addition to planning and scheduling trips and meetings, coordinating guest lists and arrangements for events, managing client relations, completing trade reconciliation confirmations, and participating in research activities.

Doctor Of Education (Ed.D.), Higher Education/Higher Education Administration, 4.0

Activities and Societies: Bentonville/Bella Vista American Association of University Women Scholarship (2009-2011), Virginia Cole.

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Higher Education/Higher Education Administration, 4.0

Activities and Societies: Chancellor's List; International Student Organization Volunteer and Member; Who's Who Among American Colleges &.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Middle East Studies/International Relations W/ French Minor, 3.8

Activities and Societies: Published Honors Thesis entitled "A Comparative Study of the Role of Women in Public Life in Three Muslim.