Carey Anne Zucca, the current vice president for advancement at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, will join the Ģ����ý on September 1 to lead the University’s principal gift fundraising and presidential advancement programs. Zucca comes to Rochester at a crucial time, as the University prepares to launch For Ever Better, a $1.75 billion fundraising and engagement campaign for the future of the University.

Jack Kreckel, who has served the University in various advancement roles for more than four decades, will continue in the role of strategic philanthropic advisor, working closely with the University’s most dedicated volunteer leaders, alumni, and friends.

“I am delighted we have been able to recruit Carey Anne Zucca to Rochester,” says Thomas Farrell ’88, ’90W, senior vice president for University Advancement. “We have a long and tremendous history of philanthropy at the University, and President Mangelsdorf continues to prioritize building on our recent successes in this critically important area. Carey Anne brings a fresh perspective, terrific experience, and the kind of professionalism that will make our program even stronger.”

As the Collyer Vice President for Advancement at Skidmore College, Zucca serves as a member of the president’s cabinet and actively manages a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects while leading a team of 50 fundraising, alumni engagement, and advancement operations professionals. She led the successful completion of fundraising for the Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences and secured vital support for the recently opened McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center. Additionally, she championed fundraising efforts for experiential learning, career-building initiatives, and entrepreneurial education, securing millions of dollars in support for opportunities that directly benefit students. Under her leadership, the team at Skidmore increased total new gifts and pledges by 20 percent year-over-year.

Prior to her leadership role at Skidmore, Zucca worked at the University of Pittsburgh in various roles in alumni relations and marketing communications before leading the advancement program at the Swanson School of Engineering. While there, she contributed to the success of Pitt’s recent $2 billion campaign, collaborating across schools and central advancement to close multiple transformational gifts.

Before joining the School of Engineering, Zucca worked at the Cancer Institute at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she led programs in grateful patient giving and oversaw key fundraising events. She is recognized for her ability to drive ambitious fundraising goals through relationship building and execution-focused management.

“Fundraising is my passion. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to come to Rochester and contribute to the success of the For Ever Better campaign,” Zucca says. “Achieving the campaign’s ambitious goals will require strategic and thoughtful cultivation of the institution’s most generous and loyal constituents. I look forward to working with President Mangelsdorf, Tom Farrell, and other University leaders to secure the kind of philanthropic support that will propel Rochester forward.”

In her new role, Chance Mercurius will provide strategic leadership and management of the University’s integrated alumni and constituent relations program, an area that has experienced significant progress in recent years. Some of the improvements include the establishment of a national Alumni Board, the development of several regional alumni networks, a reimagined Meliora Weekend experience, an innovative volunteer and class agent structure, and new career, diversity, and affinity initiatives for more than 110,000 alumni worldwide. Senior Vice President for University Advancement Tom Farrell ’88, ’90W (MS) notes that Chance Mercurius’s expertise in planning and executing alumni engagement programs for Harvard Law School and the University of Pennsylvania stood out among the candidates and identified her as the ideal person to continue the momentum at Rochester.

“Karen is a dynamic and dedicated leader whose extensive experience in alumni and constituent engagement will be of great value to the University,” Farrell says. “At Rochester, we are committed to building a mission and values-based culture of ownership throughout the University community. We are also interested in the balance between engagement and philanthropy. Karen is a leader who has improved programs in the context of two historic campaigns. She understands how to get things done and can inspire people to get involved in the important work of the University. We could not be more pleased to have her at Rochester.”

Chance Mercurius joined Harvard Law School (HLS) as director of alumni relations in 2012 where she strategically deepened relationships with 40,000 HLS alumni globally through intellectually engaging programming and events, active clubs, and shared interest groups. During her six-year tenure, she transformed the alumni relations program through staff recruitment, training and coaching, and created pioneering traditions and intellectual programs to engage alumni through geographic regions and personal interests. She also managed the successful leadership transition of the Harvard Law School Association Executive Board through three presidents and helped to increase the number of diverse alumni board members. Chance Mercurius and her team were awarded a Gold Award in Best Practices in Alumni Relations from Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District I for the highly successful affinity-based reunion, Celebration of Black Alumni, held in September 2016.

Chance Mercurius began her advancement career in alumni relations at the University of Pennsylvania where she worked for more than a decade. As senior associate director of alumni relations for their New York Regional Office, she managed domestic and international alumni relations programs representing more than 40,000 Penn alumni worldwide.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Ģ����ý where the mission, vision, and shared values of Meliora align so nicely with my personal passion and commitment to building robust, inclusive, and diverse alumni communities,” Chance Mercurius says. “I am honored to have been chosen for this leadership role and look forward to working with the talented Advancement team and the entire Ģ����ý community to advance and fulfill the mission of the institution.”

Chance Mercurius received both a bachelor of arts in international relations and Africana studies and a master of science in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned two degrees from Fielding Graduate University: a master of arts in human development and a doctoral degree in organizational development and change.

A dedicated alumna volunteer, Chance Mercurius has served for almost 20 years as the cochair at The Penn Fund for her class reunion, leading successful volunteer reunion fundraising efforts. She is also a member of The Trustees Council for Penn Women, the James Brister Society at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a member of the CASE Minority Advancement Institute.

A highly successful advancement professional with more than 25 years of experience in higher education and medical center fundraising, Anderson was selected following a competitive national search led by Senior Vice President for University Advancement Tom Farrell ’88, ’90W (MS) and Medical Center CEO and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry Mark Taubman.

“Kellie is exactly the kind of enterprising advancement professional we need to help us build on the tremendous momentum created during The Meliora Challenge Campaign,” says Farrell. “Her background, drive and commitment to both the values that underpin philanthropy and great academic health care programs make Kellie the perfect fit for this important position.”

“Kellie Anderson impressed us with her experience and demonstrated leadership. At Pittsburgh, she led all aspects of fundraising for the academic medical enterprise including the University of Pittsburgh’s six health science schools, its Cancer Institute and Cancer Center, and flagship hospitals,” says Taubman. “Throughout her career, she has secured a number of high-profile grants from national foundations in support of health science programs and biomedical research and has successfully managed patient and family giving programs. Most recently, she was responsible for securing a minimum of $100 million in philanthropic support annually from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations. That’s quite an achievement.”

Anderson first joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1999 as an associate director of development, where she was primarily responsible for establishing the corporate and foundation giving program for the Cancer Institute. Later, she expanded her portfolio to oversee all corporate and foundation relations for the University’s health science and clinical programs. In 2008, Anderson was named the executive director of central development for the University’s health sciences and clinical fundraising programs, overseeing five critical departments: annual fund, planned giving, communications, donor relations and stewardship, and corporate and foundation relations. In addition to managing and leading a diverse team of professionals, she maintained her own fundraising portfolio, focusing on major gifts from foundations and the development of compelling proposals for new prospects and donors.

In June 2015, Anderson was tapped for her current role as interim vice chancellor and chief development officer for the University’s Medical and Health Sciences Foundation, where she has worked to build a best-in-class program grounded in metrics, and created a positive working environment for a staff of 90 advancement professionals.

Anderson, who originally hails from Western New York, is eager to return home to her roots after almost 30 years in Pittsburgh.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to be joining the Ģ����ý’s talented advancement team. Tom’s visionary leadership has created a culture of excellence that is grounded in strategic engagement and a commitment to supporting the mission of the University,” Anderson says. “There is a shared sense of purpose at Rochester that is very inspiring and motivating.”

“I look forward to partnering with Dr. Taubman and the many outstanding faculty and health care leaders at URMC,” Anderson adds. “Together, we will work to increase philanthropic support to improve patient care, to attract the best and brightest students, and to fuel research discoveries that benefit people in Rochester and the world.”

“This is a historic moment for everyone who cares so deeply about this University and our future,” said President and CEO Joel Seligman, the G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor. “The Meliora Challenge supports our vital mission to society by providing the resources needed to support our students, our faculty, groundbreaking research, teaching, innovative health care, and public service.”

“The Meliora Challenge exceeded our expectations and galvanized the Ģ����ý family like never before,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Danny Wegman. “Together, we are transforming lives in Rochester and throughout the world.”

The Meliora Challenge was the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the University’s history. Launched publicly in 2011, the Campaign exceeded the $1 billion mark in November 2013 and surpassed its initial goal of $1.2 billion in March 2015. Nearly every goal established for the Campaign has been achieved—a testament to the commitment, loyalty, and generosity of more than 200,000 alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents, and students around the world who donated to the Ģ����ý during the time of the Campaign.

University Trustee and Advancement Committee Chairman Larry Bloch praised the efforts of the Campaign’s many donors and contributors as well as the faculty and administrative leaders who worked together to reach this historic milestone. “Our success is emblematic of a large and dedicated community of leaders and volunteers. Their passion and enthusiasm for the Ģ����ý is without bounds.”

“Throughout history, universities like ours have been key to societal progress and improving the human condition,” said Senior Vice President for Advancement Thomas J. Farrell. “This moment marks the start of a new phase in the Ģ����ý’s evolution, one that will be driven by the remarkable philanthropy and ongoing engagement, advocacy, and giving that has become an integral part of the culture of this institution. I am especially grateful for the outstanding leadership provided by our Campaign co-chairs Cathy Minehan and Rich Handler, as well as the generosity of our other trustees, volunteers, and University leaders whose efforts inspired and engaged so many others.”

Financial highlights from The Meliora Challenge include:

• More than $225 million in student support including the establishment of 393 new scholarships and fellowships, including the Hajim Scholars and the Alan and Jane Handler Scholars, which have helped to increase access to a URochester education
• More than $423 million in faculty support, including the creation of 103 new endowed professorships to enable the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty
• More than $426 million for program support including new initiatives in data science, the humanities, and the performing arts
• More than $129 million for new and improved facilities and infrastructure including Golisano Children’s Hospital, a first-rate pediatric facility for the region’s children, and the largest project in University history; Raymond F. LeChase Hall, a new home for the Warner School of Education; Ronald Rettner Hall for Media Arts and Innovation, to advance practical skills and theoretical understanding of digital technology; the Saunders Research Building, a hub for clinical and translational research; the William and Mildred Levine Autism Clinic, to address the growing need for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder; the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex, providing renovated and expanded outdoor athletic facilities; and Wegmans Hall, which will house the University’s new Goergen Institute for Data Science in January 2017
• Nearly $150 million in unrestricted donations to the University’s Annual Fund to support new opportunities and school and unit financial needs

The Ģ����ý Medical Center, a community anchor and a major component of the Campaign, raised nearly $690 million for medical education, research, and patient care facilities.

Memorial Art Gallery raised more than $35 million during the campaign to fund community-enriching projects like the Centennial Sculpture Park, new art installations, collection curation, and educational programs.

Seligman characterized The Meliora Challenge as a platform for the University to achieve future goals. “These accomplishments will help us ascend to The Next Level as one of the nation’s top research universities. We look forward to strengthening our national leadership in data science, neuromedicine, and clinical and translational research and continue to achieve excellence across the University—in undergraduate education, professional training, our health system, and the creative arts.”

The University will celebrate the success of The Meliora Challenge during this year’s Meliora Weekend, October 6–9. Along with reunions, homecoming, and family activities, several events are planned to thank the University community and commemorate Campaign achievements.