Pitt, in Partnership With UPMC, Hires Kristin Davitt to Lead Development in Key Role

The University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) have hired Kristin Davitt to serve as their inaugural vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and president of the Medical and Health Sciences Foundation.

This role — which is new to both institutions — will see Davitt directing institutional advancement for the University as well as leading the Medical and Health Sciences Foundation, which raises funds for all six of Pitt’s Schools of the Health Sciences and UPMC.

Davitt, who brings nearly 25 years of fundraising experience to the position, will report directly to Patrick Gallagher, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, and Jeffrey A. Romoff, president and CEO of UPMC.

“Kris is a fundraising veteran and visionary who will play a critical role in advancing Pitt’s mission,” says Gallagher. “An inspiring leader, proven collaborator and innovator in development and alumni affairs, Kris has all the ingredients to take the combined fundraising efforts at Pitt and UPMC to an entirely new level. I am thrilled to welcome her to Pittsburgh.”

“I join Chancellor Gallagher in welcoming Kristin Davitt to bolster support for our outstanding academic and clinical research teams as they work to transform the region into a wellspring of innovation and cutting-edge technology,” says Romoff. “Funding secured by the foundation is vital to infuse resources that are put to work to advance new discoveries and remake health care for the future.”

Davitt’s path to Pitt follows stops at Brown University — her alma mater — and, more recently, the University of Pennsylvania. At both institutions, she held leadership roles in multibillion dollar fundraising campaigns. At Penn, Davitt provided leadership and strategic direction to secure and strengthen philanthropic support from undergraduate alumni and parents of undergraduate students. During this time, she oversaw record-setting fundraising and donor participation achievement from undergraduate alumni as well as significant increases in parent engagement and annual giving. She led the effort to secure gifts of more than $250 million for undergraduate financial aid, including the creation of a key alumni leadership council. She was also a top fundraiser for principal and major gift donors.

“I am honored to serve two exceptional institutions headed by two outstanding leaders,” says Davitt of her new role. “This opportunity — which will involve broadly engaging the Pitt and UPMC communities to advance our shared interest in innovation and learning — is both important and exciting. I cannot wait to get started.”