Sommers-Sayre promoted to assistant vice president in development

Alison Sommers-Sayre

Alison Sommers-Sayre

Photo by Kevin Birch

Alison Sommers-Sayre, an 11-year member of the Princeton University Office of Development staff, has been promoted to assistant vice president for information strategy and operations. Her appointment was effective July 1.

She is responsible for managing administrative services, alumni and donor records, analytics and data management, development technology services, and prospect development and research. She also is charged with identifying and implementing industry best practices and innovative methods, as well as enhancing the overall effectiveness and productivity of the office.

"I couldn't be happier with this appointment, and I greatly value Alison's considerable talents and expertise in leading these critically important aspects of the development office," said Kevin Heaney, deputy vice president for development, to whom she reports.

Sommers-Sayre joined the office in 2004 as director of development research, a position in which she helped prepare the office for the $1.88 billion Aspire campaign completed in 2012 and built the analytics function. Since 2009, she has been the executive director of development information strategy. Prior to Princeton, she worked in business intelligence, information management and data-driven strategic planning in corporate environments and consulting firms.

"I am proud to work with such talented and committed colleagues," said Sommers-Sayre. "I look forward to Development's continued success and organizational growth, and am honored to serve the University in this new role."

Sommers-Sayre has been on the board of APRA, the international association representing prospect development professionals, since 2011, and currently serves as the organization's president. She has been a conference speaker for APRA, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is an honors graduate of the University of Chicago, where she has been an active alumni volunteer.