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Associate Dean of Development

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Associate Dean of Development

Columbia University School of the Arts

Onsite New York, New York

Known for its vibrant, diverse community of talented artists and scholars, Columbia University School of the Arts is one of the nation’s leading higher-ed institutions for arts education. As the largest arts school among its peer institutions, it serves as a central hub for artistic creation and teaching across a variety of disciplines, including Film, Theatre, Visual Art, and Writing.

Located in New York City, the School leverages its urban setting and Columbia’s status as a top research university to offer unparalleled opportunities for artistic growth and collaboration. The School’s faculty comprises acclaimed artists and scholars who are actively engaged in their fields, providing students with a rich, immersive learning experience.

Three students discuss art while standing in front of abstract paintings hung on a wall.

The Opportunity

Columbia University School of the Arts is seeking a creative, collaborative, and talented advancement professional to serve as Associate Dean for Development.

Reporting to and working closely with newly appointed Dean Sarah Cole, the Associate Dean will oversee a staff of four and will be instrumental in creating and implementing an ambitious fundraising strategy. This strategy will revolve around the School’s transformational impact on its students, the makers of tomorrow.

The Associate Dean will work closely with School staff, the university’s central development team, faculty, and other stakeholders to build and grow support from alumni, friends, foundations, and supporters of the arts locally, nationally, and globally. The role involves identifying and articulating key philanthropic priorities, ensuring increasing levels of student fellowship support, and engaging faculty in developing funding initiatives. The Associate Dean will also deepen engagement with the School’s Dean’s Council and other advisory groups, and will lead a team of seasoned fundraisers to expand individual and annual giving programs.

This role presents an exceptional opportunity to define and launch a bold and expansive chapter for the School’s development efforts.

The salary range for this position is $200,000 – $230,000.

Columbia University School of the Arts
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    By admin|2026-09-23T21:23:48-04:00June 20, 2024|Comments Off on Associate Dean of Development

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    Megan Abbett brings years of experience in advancement, nonprofit leadership, and executive search across many sectors and multiple professional functions. Respected and trusted across a broad range of regional and national organizations, clients return to and refer her to lead, manage, innovate, and execute searches whether in established, maturing, or emerging contexts.

    Just as Megan was adept at matching donors with causes close to their hearts in her nonprofit work, she excels at finding candidates with deep passion for her clients’ missions. Megan began her advancement career with six years at Simmons University in Boston, MA, then known as Simmons College. Her early years leading annual giving allowed her to gain a thorough grounding in development and in the complexities of an urban university with strong undergraduate and graduate programs. From Simmons she moved to her alma mater, Boston College, and later to another part of the nonprofit sector for Facing History and Ourselves, an organization that helps educators and students use history to take action against racism, prejudice, and hate. Her success there led her back to Simmons, where across a seven-year tenure she moved up through management to serve as a senior advancement leader and lead all Communications and Donor Relations. She made the career transition to executive search at Lindauer in 2011.

    Just some of Megan’s notable clients at Lindauer include The Aspen Institute, Auburn University, Brown University, Bryn Mawr College, Children’s Hospital Foundation, City of Hope, Columbia University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College, Grassroot Soccer, Intelligence Squared, Marietta College, Michigan State University, Pratham USA, Room to Read, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the United States Marshals Museum, University of Illinois, University of Kansas Hospital, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, White Plains Hospital, Whitman College, The United States Marshals Museum, and The University of West Virginia. Megan holds a BA in English from Boston College and a Master of Arts in Public Relations and Business Communication from Emerson College.

    Taking a comprehensive approach tailored to each client’s unique needs, goals, and aspirations, Paula Fazli is nationally recognized for high-touch service that guides organizations through leadership transitions and positions them for sustainable success.

    Paula’s nuanced understanding of organizational dynamics is grounded in her cross-disciplinary search expertise, which includes human resources, finance, academic affairs, student affairs, public safety, enrollment management, research administration, institutional planning, and equity and belonging. Throughout her respected career in executive search, Paula has partnered with public and private research universities, private liberal arts colleges, arts and culture organizations, and nonprofits to navigate periods of change and bring in leaders who shape generations of nonprofit professionals.

    Expertise

    Known for her strategic insight and deep understanding of organizational dynamics, Paula identifies not only the most qualified candidates but also those whose values, aspirations, and leadership styles align with her clients’ visions. Her expertise lies in her ability to see the potential for unexpected alignments between candidates and organizations.

    Curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning have kept Paula at the forefront of industry trends. To serve as a trusted advisor during times of transition, Paula continuously expands her knowledge base and adapts her methodologies to meet evolving client needs.

    In her 30 years in executive search, Paula has worked with a wide range of clients, such as: Harvard University, Columbia University, Stanford University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, UCLA, Florida State University, MIT, Berklee College of Music, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, Beloit College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the New School, Moore College of Art & Design, MassArt, Massachusetts Historical Society, and the POD Network, among many others.

    Experience

    Prior to joining Lindauer, Paula co-founded Sage Search Partners in 1999, where she co-led the firm for over 25 years. Under her guidance, Sage Search conducted searches for leading colleges, education-related nonprofits, and renowned music and art conservatories. Her tenure at Sage Search was marked by her unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and her skill at addressing questions of search strategy, candidate assessment, and inclusive search practices.

    Paula also served as Vice President at Auerbach Associates, where she was responsible for spearheading executive search initiatives within the higher education and nonprofit sectors, and as Assistant to the High School Superintendent and the Founding Director of the National Academy Foundation Programs in the Boston Public Schools.

    Education

    Paula holds a BA from Harvard University and an M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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