School of Nursing Announces New Director of Development and External Relations
Zimmerman to spearhead strategic direction for development efforts and relationships with alumni/external constituents.
The University of Michigan School of Nursing's Dean Kathleen Potempa is pleased to announce the appointment of Colleen Zimmerman as Director of Development and External Relations beginning September 19, 2011. Colleen will be responsible for fundraising and campaign strategic planning as well as execution of campaign and major gift strategies to meet objectives. She will also manage the Development office and staff, and work with alumni and supporters as the School moves forward with increasing the focus on fundraising and external relations activities.
Ms. Zimmerman brings a wealth of experience and skill to the School of Nursing. Over the last four years, she has been the Director of Major Gifts in the southern states for U-M’s Office of University Development (OUD). At OUD, Colleen provided leadership in strategic development and implementation of the University’s fundraising objectives for eight southern states including Florida and Texas. She has a history of leading programs and teams that outperform institutional expectations. Prior to her work with OUD, she was Associate Director of the Major Gifts Program at U-M College of Engineering.
Before being recruited to Michigan, Zimmerman was with the Kansas University Endowment Association where she was Development Director for the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas. She successfully directed a capital campaign securing more than $54 million in support for engineering including a $15 million commitment for a new building project. In addition to her experience in higher education fundraising, she has a wealth of corporate and professional experience outside of academia.
"We are thrilled to have Colleen join the staff of the School of Nursing" said Dean Potempa. Potempa added: "As evidenced by Colleen’s experience, she will greatly enhance our endeavors".
