Bryan Winters has been selected as the new lead senior director of advancement at the School of Medicine Columbia, interim dean Gerald Harmon, MD, announced this week. Winters comes to the Midlands from the University of Rochester Medical Center, where he is the director of advancement and alumni relations for the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, a top 10 nationally-ranked academic and research institution for oral health care.
“We are quite excited for Bryan to join us at the School of Medicine Columbia,” interim Dean Harmon commented. “Bryan’s background and experience leading the advancement arm at the Eastman Institute, and his previous role at the Rochester School of Medicine, make him the ideal candidate to lead our outstanding team.”
Prior to his appointment at the Eastman Institute, Winters was the associate director of advancement for the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and before his career in advancement, he enjoyed a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. In all, he has amassed nearly 25 years of experience in the health care field.
“Professional fundraising found me, and I’ve never looked back,” Winters says. “Witnessing the results of our important work is genuinely inspiring, whether supporting patients, students and faculty, researchers, the overarching institution, or the community at large. Reflecting on extraordinary philanthropic ventures, and seeing the joy brought to donors by the impact of those projects, fuels my excitement for future, mission-driven endeavors at the School of Medicine Columbia.”
As a program director, Winters has focused on major gift fundraising and alumni engagement through the implementation of a metrics-driven model. He also brings extensive experience with complex and hybrid gifts, corporate giving and more. Winters has also worked with senior leadership, alumni relations, and other internal development colleagues in his previous positions.
Winters is a native of Rochester, N.Y., and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He and his wife, Kate, have three children, and look forward to joining the university, the School of Medicine and the Columbia community.
Winters takes over the role previously held by Kim Riggi, who has joined the main campus team as assistant vice president of development for the health sciences.