Houston,
04
March
2022
|
07:52 AM
America/Chicago

Kelley Ford Joins UST to Oversee Advancement Services

Kelley FordKelley Ford, a fundraising veteran for 34 years in healthcare philanthropy, joins the University of St. Thomas-Houston Advancement team as Senior Director of Advancement Services.

Advancement Services supports the University’s development activities by reporting and managing data, conducting prospect research, facilitating gift processing and fund management.

“These functions are especially critical in managing and analyzing the data needed to support major fundraising operations,” Ford said.

The director also supports the expansion of the donor pipeline to achieve and enhance annual and major philanthropic gift support to UST.

“Advancement Services is the ‘engine’ of University Advancement," Chief Development Officer Dawn Koenning said. "Our strategies to enhance philanthropic support of UST would stall without the incredible support of  Advancement Services and robust data management."

Ford Impressed with UST

“After many years in healthcare,” Ford said, “I was interested in pursuing other fields of philanthropy. UST appeals to me because of the quality education and personal attention to students that the University provides. I was particularly impressed by the generous scholarship programs available to students with limited means, so they can concentrate on their education without having to be concerned with finances.”

Ford's Path to UST

Ford started her philanthropy career right out of college when the Muscular Dystrophy Association hired her. She worked her way up through the organization, beginning as an office manager to operations director for the Western U.S. Division. From there, she spent seven years with Dignity Health, overseeing all philanthropy operations at a large hospital in Los Angeles.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance in 1988 from Northwestern State University.

“I am so excited to lead the Advancement Services team as we continue building a solid foundation to support the important fundraising priorities of UST,” Ford said.

Get to Know Kelley

Ford grew up in Louisiana is happy to move back from California to be closer to her family.  She has been married to her husband, Tony, for 25 years.  The Fords like to travel, boat, hike and garden.

Join University Advancement in welcoming Kelley to UST.