BOLD Blueprint for Women in Advancement:
Building Opportunities for
Leadership Development
This first-of-its-kind study reveals the unique opportunities and challenges women advancement executives face and actionable next steps institutions can take to support their success.
Through research conducted by Hocking Leadership and Shanna A. Hocking, a nationally-recognized leader on higher education fundraising and nonprofit leadership, this report offers evidence-based recommendations for advancement leaders, university presidents, and trustees committed to building the conditions for women to thrive in advancement executive roles, strengthen teams, and achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
35%
Women hold fewer than 35% of the most senior advancement executive roles at the top 100 U.S. universities.
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
70%
Over 70% of women reported receiving no formal onboarding support during their transition into a new role.
The Stakes are High
Universities are facing intense pressures—and chief advancement executives are expected to lead their teams through it while achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
When universities invest in the success of their women chief advancement executives, the leaders and their organizations thrive.
This report offers an actionable roadmap to help your university retain exceptional leaders, build stronger teams, and grow fundraising outcomes.
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
The report is based on insights from women chief advancement executives in higher education and academic medicine, representing public, private, and Ivy League universities, small liberal arts colleges, and academic health systems. 90% of respondents have 20+ years of fundraising experience and nearly 70% have been 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 leader on higher education fundraising and nonprofit leadership, keynote speaker, and author of One Bold Move a Day: Meaningful Actions to Help Women Fulfill Their Leadership and Career Potential (McGraw Hill, 2022). As founder and CEO of Hocking Leadership, Shanna helps universities raise more money by strengthening leaders, teams, and workplace culture through executive advisory, coaching, and retreats. Her current clients include New York University, Boston University, Lehigh University, and University of Maryland Medicine.
Previously, she spent 20+ years raising six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-figure gifts and leading high-performing teams of nearly 50 professionals at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Alabama, and Duke University.
Shanna’s expertise has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Fast Company, Bloomberg Businessweek, and she has appeared on ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliate stations across North America.
THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY
Your Next Bold Move Starts Here
After reading the report, let’s connect about how Hocking Leadership can partner with you to strengthen your advancement leaders and teams.