New Leader Joins DAR

Jaci A. Thiede headshotJaci A. Thiede started her new position as Grinnell’s vice president for development and alumni relations (DAR) July 31. She takes the helm as the College prepares for the public launch of its first comprehensive fundraising campaign in 20 years. 

Thiede came to Grinnell from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she served as vice president for university advancement. She brings extensive advancement, development, campaign, and alumni relations experience to her new role, with nearly 25 years in higher education advancement and campaign consulting.

Prior to her leadership role at Butler, Thiede was associate dean for alumni relations and development at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, and before that she served as a senior member of the Indiana University Foundation’s development division for 10 years.

While at Butler, Thiede led efforts that resulted in recording the first and third highest fundraising totals in the university’s history. She helped develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that resulted in the largest individual gift in Butler’s history, and increased overall annual giving by 24 percent over two years.

Thiede will play a central role in enhancing the visibility and fundraising capabilities of the College, ensuring Grinnell’s position at the forefront of liberal arts education. 

 

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