FAU Hires Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Blake Davis joins Florida Atlantic as Vice President of Advancement

Florida Atlantic University has named Blake Davis as its new vice president for Institutional Advancement and chief executive officer of the FAU Foundation.

Currently serving as the vice president for development, principal and major gifts at Southern Methodist University, Davis brings more than 20 years of diverse experience in higher education development, serving both leading public and private universities. He has played a pivotal leadership role in multiple billion-dollar comprehensive campaigns, consistently driving results through a combination of strategic vision, relationship-building, and disciplined execution. He will begin at Florida Atlantic on June 1.

"Blake's arrival comes at a pivotal time for our university, as we are enjoying tremendous growth and success," said FAU President Adam Hasner. "Philanthropy is critical to continuing this momentum, and Blake's proven experience in higher education advancement and understanding of how to translate institutional strengths into donor engagement will power our mission of conducting meaningful research and changing lives. I am excited to bring someone of his caliber into our executive leadership team, and I look forward to Blake and his family joining us here in paradise this summer."

Davis has been at SMU - an R1 research institution like Florida Atlantic - since 2019, where he has helped double annual fundraising commitment production, including the oversight of more than 285 gifts over $1 million during SMU's recently completed $1.65 billion comprehensive campaign. He also managed, cultivated and solicited individual portfolios of more than 250 high net worth prospects toward the university's philanthropic priorities that begin at the $1 million gift level, resulting in the highest principal gift production in SMU's history. During his tenure, the university announced its first $100 million gift, subsequent three separate $50 million individual gifts, and the SMU First Week Society which resulted in over $100 million in new commitments for athletics during a seven-day period.

"As a Top 100 public university and one of only 13 institutions in the U.S. to receive three prestigious designations from the Carnegie Foundation - for top-tier research, student access and earnings, and community engagement - Florida Atlantic is rising to a new level of national recognition," said Piero Bussani, FAU Board of Trustees chair. "Blake is joining Florida Atlantic at an exciting time, and with his extremely impressive advancement background, I am confident that he will be an asset to our administration as the university continues its ascent."

In his new role, Davis will be responsible for the overall direction and management of community engagement, as well as all fundraising, development and alumni relations at Florida Atlantic, providing leadership in identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts to the institution.

"My family and I are honored to join President Hasner and the Florida Atlantic University community at such an exciting moment in the institution's history," said Davis. "Florida Atlantic's momentum, ambition and commitment to student success and research excellence create a powerful platform for transformational philanthropy. I look forward to partnering with alumni, donors and stakeholders to advance the university's mission and help shape an even more dynamic and impactful future."

As CEO of the FAU Foundation, he will offer advice, counsel and leadership to the independent university funding organization, its staff and board of directors.

"Blake combines business acumen with deep expertise to achieve ambitious fundraising goals while strengthening long-term donor engagement," said Brian M. Poulin, FAU Foundation Board chair. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with him as we build on the foundation's fundraising successes."

During his career, Davis has held numerous development leadership positions at other top higher education institutions such as the University of Chicago, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, The University of Washington, and George Mason University.

He earned an MBA from Emporia State University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas.

-FAU-