Brooke Weisenbeck Named Vice President for Presidential Development Initiatives

Critical role manages and supports development activities for president’s office efforts at University of Illinois Foundation and UI System

The University of Illinois Foundation (UIF) announced Brooke Weisenbeck has been named the new vice president for presidential development initiatives effective October 12, 2022. In this role Brooke will be responsible for managing and supporting the development activities of the University of Illinois System President and the President/CEO of the University of Illinois Foundation, including major and principal gifts, and event and volunteer management and support. 

Brooke joins the Foundation after most recently serving as the assistant dean of advancement for the College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst, responsible for raising $50 million for the college and leading a team of twelve advancement staff. Prior to her time at UMass, Brooke served in international advancement roles at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she concentrated on leadership, major, and annual gift fundraising in top international regions. Brooke’s international advancement work also was helpful to the Foundation as it established the University of Illinois Foundation UK Limited in London in 2018. Prior to her time at the University of Illinois, Brooke served in advancement roles at organizations including the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University, the Steppenwolf Theater Company, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

“Brooke not only brings 10+ years of advancement experience to this role, she also brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm for the mission we serve and the value of higher education,” said University of Illinois Foundation President/CEO Jim Moore. “We are very excited to have Brooke join our leadership team and are looking forward to her future contributions to our University of Illinois development program success.”

Brooke holds both a bachelor’s degree and a MPA from DePaul University and earned her CMI in business from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.