This groundbreaking study reveals the unique challenges women advancement executives face and what institutions can do to support their success.
Research conducted by Shanna A. Hocking, a nationally-recognized thought leader on higher education fundraising and nonprofit leadership. A LinkedIn Top Voice in Leadership Development, Shanna spent 20+ years raising gifts from six to nine figures and is currently the CEO of Hocking Leadership.
BOLD Blueprint for Women in Advancement:
Building Opportunities for
Leadership Development
35%
This is the percentage of senior advancement executive roles held by women at the top 100 U.S. universities.
SO THEN IT’S NO SURPRISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS…
“Oftentimes I am still viewed as ‘administrative support,’ rather than the decision maker and leader of the organization.”
– Study Participant
This report will help you:
+ UNDERSTAND
the organizational challenges most commonly experienced by women advancement executives—and how to address them systemically
+ IDENTIFY
what onboarding gaps may be costing your institution in retention, confidence, and performance
+ APPLY
three proven strategies to recruit, retain, and support women in senior advancement roles
+ STRENGTHEN
your leadership and fundraising outcomes through strategic investment in leadership development
What’s At Stake
At a time when higher education leadership is facing an unprecedented level of pressure, investing in the success of their chief advancement executives is crucial. This is especially critical for women who are the first to hold their role in the organization.
When women advancement executives leave, institutions lose more than talent—they lose relationships, momentum, and millions in potential gifts.
This study shows how to stop that cycle.
WHY THIS STUDY MATTERS NOW
Download the Full Report
Get the complete findings, detailed recommendations, and practical strategies to strengthen women's leadership at your institution.
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About the Study & Participants
This study surveyed 49 women chief advancement executives at universities and colleges across the U.S. and Canada, with 90% having 20+ years of fundraising experience and nearly 70% being in their current role for three years or less.
Data was collected from a confidential online survey, followed by optional one-on-one interviews to explore key themes in greater depth.
Shanna A. Hocking
Shanna A. Hocking is a nationally-recognized thought leader on higher education fundraising and nonprofit leadership and the founder and CEO of Hocking Leadership. A LinkedIn Top Voice, she helps universities and nonprofits raise more money by strengthening leaders, teams, and workplace culture through executive advisory, coaching, and retreats.
She spent 20+ years raising six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-figure gifts and leading teams of nearly 50 professionals at prestigious institutions including the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Alabama, and Duke University. Her current clients include New York University, Boston University, Lehigh University, and University of Maryland Medicine.
Shanna is the author of One Bold Move a Day: Meaningful Actions to Help Women Fulfill Their Leadership and Career Potential (McGraw Hill, 2022) and her expertise has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Fast Company, Bloomberg Businessweek, and other major publications. She has appeared on ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliate stations across North America.
THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY
Ready to Make a Change?
After reading the report, let’s chat about how you can partner with Hocking Leadership to strengthen your advancement leadership and create lasting change for women in your organization.