By SHANNON WELLS
At the Feb. 26 Senate Council meeting, Chancellor Joan Gabel said preparations are underway to launch Pitt’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign in more than 13 years — part of the strategic plan — and part of that preparation includes some organizational changes in the University’s division of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement (PAE).
Doug McCullough has been named acting chief advancement officer, she said, and will lead all philanthropic endeavors for PAE as Pitt heads into the comprehensive campaign later this year. The new title for the leader of PAE aligns with best practices at other schools, according to the University.
McCullough came to Pitt in 2018 and became vice chancellor for individual giving, schools and centers in PAE. He will report to Kevin Washo, senior vice chancellor for external relations. “Together they will lead the philanthropic arm and endeavors for PAE,” Gabel said.
Kris Davitt, who led the fundraising office from 2017 to ’25, had the title of senior vice chancellor, but was not an officer of the University, and she reported directly to the chancellor. When Davitt left last year for a similar job at Columbia University, Gabel decided to move PAE under the umbrella of Washo, as part of the new Office of External Relations.
Danni Piccolo also was promoted into McCullough’s former position, and Jodi Weisfield was promoted to vice chancellor on the Health Sciences and clinical programs fundraising side.
“Lots of good growth within the organization, reflecting a very strong bench of talent and commitment within PAE,” Gabel said.
She also thanked Tom Crawford, PAE’s interim leader since last April. “He’s done a great job in partnership with (Washo) in getting PAE organized for, just success in general, and for the campaign specifically.”
Crawford stepped in when Davitt left, and will now transition fully into his role as senior advisor — a move that was underway before he was tapped to lead the division.
“Tom stepped up to lead the division during a critical time and has kept our momentum strong,” Washo told Pittwire. “His steady hand through this period has been invaluable, and we’re fortunate to have him continuing to contribute his expertise and strategic insight as senior advisor.”
Gabel noted that being in a comprehensive campaign “is a whole other level of structure and commitment and storytelling, and there’s a lot of back room that goes into getting ready for a campaign and sustaining at that level,” she added. “We’re really set up well to make this transition as a result of (Crawford’s and Washo’s) partnership. Many thanks to them.”
McCullough has been part of many major gift discussions during his tenure at Pitt and played a key role in the 2022 gift to name the David C. Frederick Honors College.
“Throughout his time here and in his previous roles at Penn, Ohio University and DePaul University, Doug has consistently created environments where people feel valued, supported and positioned to do their best work,” Washo said. “I am confident that he is the right person to lead this powerhouse of a team, and I’m grateful to Chancellor Gabel for her support and leadership as we build a structure that will advance our fundraising efforts.”
Piccolo joined Pitt in 2017 and has advanced through a series of leadership roles, the most recent being associate vice chancellor for individual giving, schools and centers. She brings with her extensive development experience from her time at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Chatham University.
Weisfield most recently served as Pitt’s senior executive director of development for individual giving, schools and centers, where she managed the fundraising and alumni relations teams for Pitt’s School of Business and School of Computing and Information. She will now oversee the fundraising supporting Pitt’s six schools of the Health Sciences, clinical departments and affiliated hospital foundations.
Piccolo and Weisfield will both report to McCullough as part of the PAE leadership team.
Reflecting on the appointments, Washo expressed optimism for the future of the division’s work.
“It is important to me to recognize the talent we have within our own ranks,” Washo said. “Promoting these leaders from within is a testament to the strength and success of our philanthropic endeavors.”
Shannon O. Wells is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at shannonw@pitt.edu.
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