Brian Utley
Brian Utley brings over thirty years of hands-on fundraising and executive search expertise across higher education, arts and culture, and civic philanthropy. Having served on the frontline of university advancement at University of Minnesota, DePaul University, Northwestern University, and University of Chicago, Brian understands the realities of advancement from the inside out.
Zero-Obligation Federal Placement: 100% Finalist Selection
“While working for the University of Chicago, I was tasked with managing the search for a 'PMF' (Presidential Management Fellow). The prestigious position has very high visibility along with extremely high standards. The White House was under no obligation to accept candidates. Following a rigorous screening and evaluation of applicants, I recommended four finalists. The PMF Director chose to accept all four of the candidates recommended. All went on to distinguished careers.”
The 3 Root Causes of Rapid Fundraiser Turnover
In Brian’s experience, rapid turnover among fundraisers is rarely about donor rejection. It stems from three predictable institutional fault lines:
- Incompatible Skill Match: Candidate’s skill strengths misaligned with the evolving operational realities of the position and institution.
- Ill-Defined Goals & Expectations: Unrealistic or ambiguous metrics set by the hiring authority and board without milestone benchmarks.
- Mission & Prospect Misalignment: A fundamental disconnect between the organization’s strategic vision and the genuine philanthropic interests of its existing donor base.
“I'm fortunate to have worked with Brian Utley at DePaul University in Chicago. Brian is an engaged development executive, manager and fundraiser with a gift for building strong and strategic relationships internally and externally. Most of all, he is effective in aligning stakeholders and ideas in a way that drives engagement and giving.”
“Brian was an active and engaged board member at the Evanston History Center when I was the Executive Director. Ours was a small working board, and Brian assumed large roles, including Vice President of Advancement and Vice President for Personnel. During his tenure Brian participated actively in annual reviews of the Executive Director and led the effort to provide health care benefits to the staff. He was a valuable member of the board who shared his professional experience generously.”