Institutionally Related Foundation

Mr. Brian Gagnon has been appointed as the new Executive Director for Board Relations and Volunteer Engagement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation. He will officially begin his new role on September 22, 2025. Mr. Gagnon is a mission-driven advancement professional with over 15 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership. He currently serves as the Director of Board and Leadership Volunteer Relations at the University of Vermont Foundation, where he leads operational support for Foundation board members, leadership, and staff, advancing governance practices, committee effectiveness, and engagement strategies aligned with institutional priorities. His previous roles include Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Plymouth State University and Volunteer and Communications Coordinator for Squam Lakes Association. Mr. Gagnon holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Plymouth State University‘s Center for the Environment and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Plymouth State University.

Mr. Timothy Minor has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor for Advancement and President and CEO at the University System of Maryland Foundation. Mr. Minor will also serve as the Vice President for Advancement of the University System of Maryland. He will begin his duties on September 22nd. A nationally recognized and results-driven higher education leader, Mr. Minor brings over 30 years of strategic experience in advancement, fundraising, and industry and government partnerships. In his most recent position as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Mr. Minor secured transformational private support across higher education, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, leading initiatives generating more than $1 billion annually. Previously, Mr. Minor served as the Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Prior, he was the Vice President for University Advancement for the University of North Carolina System, where he served as the Chief Advancement Officer for the UNC multi-campus university composed of all 16 of North Carolina's public universities, as well as the NC School of Science and Mathematics. Earlier, he served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement for North Carolina A & T State University and held several fundraising roles at UNC Chapel Hill. He started his advancement career at Emory University. Mr. Minor holds a B.A. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Affairs in nonprofit management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Read more.

Dr. Christopher Fiorentino has been appointed as the new Chancellor at Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Dr. Fiorentino is the current interim chancellor at PASSHE and former president of West Chester University. Dr. Fiorentino’s career at PASSHE spans 42 years. He began as an assistant professor of economics at West Chester University in 1983, the year the State System was established. Dr. Fiorentino held many positions at the university, including department chair, dean, vice president and president. He retired from West Chester University in June 2024 and returned to serve as interim chancellor in October 2024. Dr. Fiorentino earned his baccalaureate, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Temple University. He and his wife, Sue, reside in Chester County. Read more.

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) has successfully appointed Dr. Framroze “Fram” M. Virjee as their next President, effective 8/19/2024. Dr. Virjee is president emeritus of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). He has an extensive history in higher education leadership. Prior to becoming president of CSUF, Dr. Virjee served as executive vice chancellor, general counsel, and secretary to the board of trustees at the California State University System. He reported directly to the CSU Board of Trustees and provided legal counsel and advice on critical topics such as open meeting laws, rules and procedures, compliance requirements, collective bargaining, and more. He also oversaw comprehensive Title IX training and orientation for all presidents and championed a comprehensive review and revamping of the Title IX function at CSU. Before his tenure at CSU, Dr. Virjee was a partner at O’Melveny & Myers, one of the largest and oldest law firms in the United States. Dr. Virjee is a first-generation college student. He received his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (since renamed the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco), and a bachelor of arts degree (summa cum laude) in political science and sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has served on multiple boards, including (but not limited to) the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation, National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), and the Big West athletic conference. In addition, Dr. Virjee and his wife, Julie, are co-founders of Yambi Rwanda, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the lives of Rwandans through the sustained provision of basic human needs and equitable access to quality education through the celebration of Rwanda’s culture and arts. Read more.

Ms. Jerchel Anderson has been appointed as the Business Officer in the Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University. She began work at LHSON on March 20, 2023. Ms. Anderson is a financial professional with over 20 years of experience as a financial administrator and accountant. Prior to joining Baylor, Ms. Anderson served as the Financial Business Officer at the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University (TX), as Research Administration Manager for the Center for Vital Longevity at the University of Texas and as Business Officer and Director of Finance & Personnel at the University of California-Los Angeles. Ms. Anderson earned her MBA and BA from California State University. Read more here.

The Clemson University Foundation (CUF) has appointed Ms. Regina Steele as its new Chief Financial Offcer. Ms. Steele will be responsible for the administration of $1 Billion+ endowment and serve as a key thought leader and driver of the CUF business model by developing, implementing, and evaluating short and long term strategic financial objectives, including endowment spending policies. Ms. Steele comes to Clemson after nearly 25 years serving with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia where she served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Controller, leading the fiscal operations for the University System Office. Previously, she served as asset manager for the University System of Georgia Public Private Ventures Portfolio, where she was responsible for projects totaling more than $3 billion in principal outstanding bonds. She holds an MS in Accounting from Kennesaw State University and a BS in Accounting from Hampton University. Read more here.

The University at Buffalo Foundation Board has announced the appointment of Anastacia “Stacy” Knapper as Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Knapper will oversee $1.2 billion in current assets and provide strategic leadership and direction. A senior executive with extensive legal and cross-industry experience, Ms. Knapper currently serves as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Indiana University Foundation. Prior to joining the IU Foundation, Ms. Knapper served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Vera Bradley, Inc. Ms. Knapper received her JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School and her BS in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of Kent, Canterbury England. Read more here.

The Community College of Allegheny County Educational Foundation has named Mr. James McMahon, CFRE as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McMahon brings more than 13 years of advancement experience to CCAC. For the past six years, he has served as Advancement Director and Director of Development for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the Carnegie Museums, he served as Director of Development for the Medical and Health Sciences Foundation of the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC and as a Fundraising Consultant for Ketchum, where he provided strategic counsel to diverse mission-driven clients on capital, endowment, and comprehensive campaigns. Mr. McMahon is an Adjunct Instructor at Carnegie Mellon University in the Master of Arts Management Program. Mr. McMahon is nearing completion of his Ed.D. in Higher Education Management from the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Master in Philosophy in History from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Dartmouth College.

Dr. Karen Schmitt has been appointed as the new Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University of Wisconsin Colleges. Dr. Schmitt is currently the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and vice provost for research and sponsored programs at the University of Alaska Southeast.

AGB Search is pleased to announce that Dr. Shad D. Nelson has been selected as the dean of the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences at Texas A&M University - Kingsville, his appointment is pending approval from the Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Dr. Nelson has served as interim dean of the college since 2016. To learn more click here