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On the heels of leading one of the country’s most successful fundraising programs, James Asp joined Brigham and Women’s Hospital last week as vice president and chief development officer.
Asp previously was associate vice chancellor of University Development and Alumni Relations and chief development officer at the University of California, San Francisco, where he led an effort that raised more than $366 million last year. He also was vice president of the UCSF Foundation, which secures and manages philanthropic funds for the university.
“We welcome Jim to the BWH community and look forward to his leadership of a dedicated and caring Development team that connects our dedicated donors to our world-class care, research and educational programs,” said BWH President Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA. “Looking ahead, we see a multitude of opportunities to enrich our mission as we touch lives with the support we receive through our philanthropic outreach.”
Asp noticed the enthusiasm of the leadership and Development teams to support that mission during recent trips to BWH, and that’s a big part of the reason he pursued the hospital’s top development job.
“When I first visited the Brigham, I immediately sensed how committed everyone is to its mission,” said Asp. “The Development team has been very successful in the last few years, with a record fundraising year last year. We will continue that momentum as we build on an already strong foundation.”
While the economic climate is challenging, Asp believes that the BWH mission will continue to touch donors in a special way. “During times like this, people don’t stop giving; they support the causes that matter most to them,” he said. “The sense I’ve gotten from our donors already is that the Brigham really matters to them.”
Asp is looking forward to exploring new opportunities for giving. “We want to make sure we build a program that is strong across the board in individual gifts, planned giving and corporate and foundation relations,” he said. “We have tremendous opportunities to engage people.”
Asp brings more than 25 years of professional development experience to his new role. Prior to the University of California, Asp served as director of principal and leadership gifts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, vice president for college resources at Sarah Lawrence College, associate vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of California, Irvine, and director of university development at The George Washington University.
Originally from Minnesota, Asp earned his bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Minnesota, and his master’s degree in higher education administration from The George Washington University.
“I’m excited to be back on the East Coast,” said Asp, who lived in New York City working in development for Marymount Manhattan College after earning his master’s.
He is passionate about the arts and looks forward to exploring Boston’s museums in his spare time.