Imperial College London has announced the appointment of Kristin Blanchfield as its new Vice-President (Advancement). 

I am honoured to be joining Imperial at such a critical and exciting moment Kristin Blanchfield

A highly experienced fundraising professional in higher education, Kristin will join Imperial in January 2025, reporting directly to President Hugh Brady. She will lead the Advancement Division, focusing on driving fundraising and alumni engagement in support of Imperial’s ambitious institutional strategy, Science for Humanity.  

Kristin joins Imperial after more than a decade at Johns Hopkins University, where she currently serves as Senior Associate Vice President for Philanthropic Partnerships. Her experience includes building high performing teams and working with institutional leadership, boards, academic staff, volunteer leaders, alumni and donors to advance strategic priorities. She has also held positions at Yale and Cornell universities.  

Professor Hugh Brady, Imperial’s President, said: “As we forge ahead with our new institutional strategy, Science for Humanity, Kristin will bring her wealth of leadership experience in alumni engagement and philanthropy to harness the full power of the global Imperial community so that we have the resources to maximise our incredible potential as a force for good in the world.” 

Professor Peter Haynes, Interim Vice-President (Advancement) and part of the search committee, said: “The interview panel was unanimous in its enthusiastic recommendation of Kristin’s appointment. In addition to her decades of experience, it became very clear that Kristin is an outstanding fit for Imperial, demonstrating a remarkable resonance with Imperial’s mission together with the personal qualities expected in a senior leadership role. I am excited to work with her to make our vision a reality.”   

Kristin Blanchfield said: “I am honoured to be joining Imperial at such a critical and exciting moment under the leadership of President Brady. The new institutional strategy is a compelling framework for philanthropic support and engagement. I look forward to leading the Advancement Division in this important work in support of our faculty, staff and students, and the entire Imperial community.”