Contacts
Elizabeth A. Dale, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Dr. Dale was named Drexel University’s Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement in 2006. Reporting to the president of the University, she provides vision and direction to a full-scale institutional advancement program, including annual, major gift and planned giving; corporate and foundation giving; alumni relations; research, gift processing, acknowledgment, and other fundraising support operations including and donor relations, protocol, and stewardship. She provides staff support for the Institutional Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees. She also has oversight for the Alumni Board of Governors.
Under her leadership, despite of one of the most severe economic crises in the last century, Drexel’s Institutional Advancement has nearly doubled its annual fundraising. Drexel raised an average of $64 million per year for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, along with $40 million in fiscal year 2007. For the previous five years, the average giving was $34 million per year. In fiscal year 2009, Drexel secured a $25 million gift, the largest individual contribution in Drexel’s history.
Peter J. Frisko
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Mr. Frisko joined the Drexel family in 1991 and has been an active member of the Drexel University community ever since. He currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (COO) where he oversees fundraising, friend-raising, and development operations for the University. In addition to oversight of the Institutional Advancement budget, he currently manages the departments of Major Gifts, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Annual Fund, Planned Giving, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Protocol, and Advancement Services. Prior to his appointment as Vice President in 2007, Mr. Frisko functioned as Interim Senior Vice President; and prior to 2006, Mr. Frisko served as Associate Vice President. Over the years, Mr. Frisko has been a valued member of the University’s leadership in significant initiatives, such as the merger and integration of Drexel and MCP Hahnemann Universities and the University’s first capital campaign, raising more than $200 million.
John J. Zabinski
Vice President, Institutional Advancement, College of Medicine
Mr. Zabinski joined Drexel University as Assistant Vice President of Campaign Programs in January 2007. As campaign manager, he was responsible for oversight and management of the campaign planning committee, feasibility study and initial implementation of Drexel’s second comprehensive campaign, Dream it. Do it. Drexel – A Campaign for the Future. In addition, John facilitated the design and re-launch of the University’s magazine in 2008. Additional duties at Drexel included supporting the Earl Mack School of Law. In May 2009, Mr. Zabinski was promoted to Vice President for Institutional Advancement for the College of Medicine. John has over 25 years of fundraising and alumni relations experience.
Susan W. Arnold
Associate Vice President, Annual Fund
Ms. Arnold joined Drexel University as Associate Vice President of the Drexel Annual Fund in June 2011. She is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive, strategic and integrated plan for the Annual Fund. For over 30 years, Susan has worked in fund-raising, marketing and volunteer administration. Her primary responsibilities have included all aspects of fund development and marketing programs and creating building and maintaining relationships with key constitutes both for fundraising and community involvement, as well as creating corporate brand identities.
Patricia Davis Austin
Associate Vice President, Corporate & Foundation Relations
Ms. Austin joined Drexel University as Associate Vice President of Corporate & Foundation Relations in 2008. She is responsible for managing all aspects of corporate and foundation philanthropic support to the university. Prior to joining Drexel, Ms. Austin managed corporate, foundation and government support at institutions of higher education. She has managed grant programs, evaluated implementation of projects and reviewed grant submissions to government agencies and foundations. She has a successful track record working with faculty, deans, university executives, and school districts as well as with corporate, foundation and government program officers.
Kristen R. DeVries
Associate Vice President, Campaign Executive
Ms. DeVries joined Drexel University as Director of Donor Relations in July 2007 and was promoted in May 2010 to Associate Vice President, Campaign Executive. She is responsible for implementing the Board of Trustees’ approved Campaign Plan, providing support for the central Campaign Steering Committee and school/college/unit-based campaign fundraising committees, overseeing the Institutional Advancement Marketing and Communications department, including key publications such as the Philanthropy Journal, annual fund solicitations and case statements, producing executive campaign reports for senior management and volunteer leadership and overseeing the Donor Relations department, including development of donor agreements and recognition, as well as gift acceptance policies.
Cristina A. Geso
Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations
Ms. Geso joined Drexel University as Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations in January 2007. She is responsible for collaborating with the Drexel University Alumni Association Board of Governors to develop and deliver a comprehensive alumni relations program designed to build the alumni-to-alumni, alumni-to-Drexel and alumni-to-student networks, and to engage alumni in the life of the University. With more than 22 years of experience, Cristina has a successful track record of building and growing alumni organizations with a blend of strategic initiatives and sustainable core programs.
Kenneth H. Goldman
Associate Vice President, Chief Philanthropic Officer
Mr. Goldman joined Drexel University in 1996 and currently serves as Associate Vice President & Chief Philanthropic Officer. Mr. Goldman is responsible for supporting the fundraising efforts of the President of the University, managing the Principal Gifts program, and overseeing the Prospect Research team. Mr. Goldman has been a member of the fund raising profession for 28 years. From 1983-1995, he raised money for arts-related organizations, first serving as a development officer for Wisconsin Public Radio in Madison, WI and Playhouse Square Center in Cleveland, OH, then becoming Director of Development for the Memphis, TN Symphony Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in Orange County, CA, and the Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation in Woodland Hills, CA. Mr. Goldman had an additional role at Drexel as an Adjunct Instructor in the Arts Administration Program. From 2000-2007, he taught the course entitled "Writing for the Arts," which primarily focused on grant writing.
Janet E. Guthart
Assistant Vice President, Protocol and Special Events
Ms. Guthart joined Drexel University as the Director of Special Events in 2005 and was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Protocol and Special Events in 2008. She is responsible for planning and implementing more than 100 events yearly for the Office of the President, Office of the Provost and Institutional Advancement. In addition she provides support and oversight for an additional 50 events throughout the University and the Philadelphia Community.
Mona R. Zeehandelaar
Assistant Vice President, Presidential Advisory Councils & Philanthropy
Ms. Zeehandelaar joined Drexel University as Assistant Vice President of Presidential Advisory Councils & Philanthropy in January 2011. She is responsible for managing all aspects of the planning, implementation, and oversight for all of the Presidential Advisory Councils and their meetings. Prior to joining Drexel, Mona was a senior corporate officer for more than 20 years in investor relations and communications roles. She had a successful track record of working with Executive Management and Boards of Directors of pre-IPO, mid and large cap companies, creating and implementing effective strategic global IR programs which significantly expanded the company’s visibility with Wall Street and investors. Her experiences include CIGNA, Safeguard Scientifics, Radian and Towers Perrin.