Ursuline Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Jill Stephenson as Chief Development Officer, effective January 24. With an extensive career in educational development, she brings an outstanding track record and skill set in fundraising to support continued success of the Academy’s comprehensive campaign, The Campaign for Ursuline: Act, Move, Believe.

“We are delighted to welcome Jill Stephenson to Ursuline and excited for the experience and expertise she brings to our development programs,” said Gretchen Kane, President. “She is a personable and enthusiastic leader, collaborative, and results-oriented with a proven ability to achieve ambitious goals.”

Stephenson will be responsible for all Academy fundraising strategies consistent with the Ursuline mission and core values. She will supervise all Advancement Office programs including Annual Giving, Planned and Major Gifts, Endowments, Alumnae Office, and Special Donor Events. Reporting to the President, she will be a member of the Campus Administrative team and serve as Academy liaison to The Ursuline Academy of Dallas Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees.

Jill Stephenson’s commitment to education runs deep. She most recently served as Senior Philanthropic Advisor for Texas A&M University – Commerce where she worked with university leadership to foster engagement among Dallas area supporters, extend the campus community through strategic partnerships and serve as a key architect for the division’s five-year strategic plan.

For a number of years, she has worked in a consulting capacity to re-launch or re-energize giving programs; guide both strategic and tactical planning processes; and provide individual mentoring and coaching.

Other professional roles include serving as Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations and Director of Annual Giving at Southern Methodist University during the comprehensive Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead. She also served as Senior Vice President for Major and Planned Giving with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas where she led a cross-functional team to launch the Foundation’s endowment growth campaign.

“It is important to support institutions that strive for excellence, nurturing the important qualities of leadership and service,” Stephenson said. “Ursuline creates a unique camaraderie among its students, balancing its distinguished history and traditions with innovative education programs to ensure that graduates are ready to succeed in their chosen path, and become changemakers.”

A Dallas native, Stephenson graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BA in Political Science.