Imperial College London has today announced Sarah Porter Waterbury as its first Vice President (Advancement).

Mrs Waterbury will take responsibility for a new Advancement function at the College, encompassing all aspects of alumni relations, events and development. She will take up the role in April 2015. 

Imperial is one of the first UK universities to appoint an Advancement leader at this level – a practice common among North American universities. The move marks a step-change in Imperial’s approach to development and the College’s work to support and grow philanthropic and other investments. 

Mrs Waterbury is currently Vice President of Development and Campaigns at New York University. Before joining NYU in 2009, she held development appointments at Harvard Business School, Tufts University, the American University of Beirut, and the Children’s Hospital Boston.

Experience, talent and vision

Professor Alice P. Gast, President of Imperial College London, said:

“It is a privilege to introduce Sarah Porter Waterbury to the Imperial community. We are very fortunate to have found someone with Sarah’s experience, talent and vision. She is one of the outstanding advancement professionals in the world. 

Professor Alice Gast

“She will lead the development of Imperial’s advancement function and its alignment with our academic mission. Sarah will serve as an advisor to our community and as somebody who can grow and build our culture of philanthropy. She will build relationships herself and support all those who do so on behalf of Imperial. 

“The College already has some of the world’s most exciting academic, corporate and philanthropic partnerships, joining us with people who are as passionate as we are about the impact science, engineering, medicine and business has on the world. We have the ambition to discover, lead and innovate on a grander scale. Sarah will play an integral role in this growth.”

Mrs Waterbury has broad international experience from her development work in Asia and the Middle East and her positions in Beirut. She grew up in Latin America and the Caribbean and, after graduating from Princeton University with a BA in History, she began her career working in private banking for Central and South American clients.

Sarah Porter Waterbury, designate Vice President (Advancement) at Imperial College London, said: 

“It is an honour to join Imperial College London, one of the world’s great universities. Above all, Imperial stands for academic excellence that has an impact on society – these two factors serve as a beacon for its supporters, and for me. 

“I look forward to joining Imperial’s phenomenal community of staff, students and alumni as we work to excite and inspire supporters and would-be supporters of Imperial’s impactful research and education activities.”