EPISODE · Jun 1, 2023 · 56 MIN
152: B.J. Davisson, West Virginia University Foundation
from RAISE Podcast
Bernard “B.J.” Davisson is executive vice president for development and chief development officer at the West Virginia University Foundation where he oversees all facets of private fundraising. This includes having led the closing years of the Foundation’s historic and successful $1.2 billion “State of Minds” comprehensive campaign.A senior executive with over 30 years of experience in both higher education and healthcare fundraising, including nearly a decade of work at the prestigious John Hopkins University, Davisson began work at WVU in April 2015.Prior to his current position, he was the senior associate vice president for development and alumni relations at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he worked closely with institutional leaders, key volunteers, and a large and diverse development staff in securing significant gifts.A native of Westernport, Md., Davisson earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Frostburg State University and a master’s degree in higher education administration from The Ohio State University.
What this episode covers
The collective tenure of the leadership team at the West Virginia University Foundation is a rare find in the advancement industry. What are the factors that make WVUF leaders and their team members stick with it? On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent chats with B.J. Davisson about the importance of intentionally fostering a positive culture founded on the motto "Clear is Kind." They discuss the decision to be location-agnostic and embrace a hybrid work model at WVU (“Your office is where your laptop is. Work when you can.”) And they talk about how transparency and trust fuel a high-performing, highly positive team. B.J. also digs into the value of uncovering and stewarding planned gifts while the donors are still alive, getting to know a donor’s “decision-making unit,” and the characteristics he looks for when hiring fundraisers on his team. He also shares a number of heartwarming stories about transformative relationships that lead to life-changing generosity: perfect reminders of why advancement work matters.
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152: B.J. Davisson, West Virginia University Foundation
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