Kim Verstandig Named Interim Vice President for Development and College Relations
Kimberly Verstandig, a higher education fundraising leader with decades of experience, has been named Lafayette’s Interim Vice President for Development and College Relations, effective September 18.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kim as our interim leader of the College’s Development and College Relations Division,” said President Nicole Farmer Hurd. “Kim is a proven executive in every aspect of the college philanthropic landscape, from fundraising to strategy to alumni engagement. I am excited to introduce her to our community in the weeks ahead and look forward to her leadership as we work together to strengthen the College’s partnership with our incredible community of alumni, parents, friends, and supporters.”
A results-oriented strategist and team builder, Verstandig has more than 30 years of increasing leadership responsibility in the higher education and nonprofit sectors, most recently leading the largest and most successful campaign in the history of Connecticut College. As Conn’s vice president for advancement, Kim conceived and directed the Defy Boundaries campaign, which surpassed its $300 million goal and finished a year ahead of schedule. She also led the way in securing five record-breaking fundraising years and helped secure six of the largest individual gifts the institution had ever received, ranging from $10 million to $30 million.
“I am excited to join President Hurd and the College in this interim role,” said Verstandig. “I look forward to working with senior leadership, faculty, trustees, key stakeholders, and the College’s dedicated development and college relations team to further Lafayette’s relationships with alumni, donors, and friends.”
Verstandig assumes the role of interim vice president following the departure of Kim Spang, who became vice president for institutional advancement at Haverford College earlier this month. President Hurd will be considering the best time to launch a search for a permanent vice president in the coming academic year.
Prior to her six years of service at Conn, Verstandig served as interim vice president for advancement and associate vice president for advancement and campaign director at Skidmore College and held key leadership fundraising positions at The Albany Academies, Albany Medical Center, and Bucknell University. Verstandig currently serves as vice president for fundraising and senior strategist at Mackey Strategies, a communications and marketing firm founded by Pete Mackey, Lafayette’s interim vice president for communications and marketing. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration and education from Bucknell University.