2022 40 Under 40 Winners

Since joining the UCI Health Advancement team in February 2020, Tim has personally secured more than $8.4 million in cash and commitments across the UCI Health enterprise.

In partnership with the Executive Director of Development, Tim helped achieve all-time record levels of cash and commitments ($10.2 million), number of gifts (348), and unique donors (290) to the Department of Urology in FY21.

Tim led the FY20 and FY21 UCI Giving Day initiatives for the Department of Urology, resulting in a combined 140 new gifts; the most of any participating unit within UCI Health.

He is a two-time recipient of the UCI STAR (Staff Appreciation and Recognition) Award, which recognizes employees for exceptional performance, creativity, organizational abilities, work success, teamwork, and/or significant contributions toward achieving organizational goals.

I began my philanthropy career working in annual giving and operations in collegiate athletics at my institution in 2014. That role was transformational in my skillset and career progression. I learned to become multifaceted in a fast-paced environment while learning to roll with the punches. I also met so many great people along the way who helped me into the field that I'm in today. As soon as I entered the healthcare space, I immediately fell in love with it. The best part is that the healthcare field is always getting pushed to new limits, and everyday there is something new or different happening.

I didn't choose healthcare philanthropy as my career, it chose me. I have some fantastic mentors in my life who've helped guide me in my career, and I wouldn't be here in the healthcare philanthropy field today without them. That said, I always wanted to make a meaningful impact on people's lives, and I can't think of a more rewarding career choice. I've quickly learned that healthcare philanthropy is a key to unlocking potential...new discoveries, new cures, and new ways of improving and saving lives.

I made the pivot to healthcare philanthropy at my institution in February 2020, and haven't looked back since. My background was in collegiate athletics and academic fundraising. When I considered a transition at the time, I knew I wanted to become more well-rounded in the field of fundraising. Moving to the healthcare philanthropy space was the best decision I made in my career journey thus far.

I really enjoy challenging myself and learning new things. It's a big reason why I enjoy working in fundraising; I've learned great communication skills, listening skills, and problem-solving skills that help me in my day-to-day work but also in my personal life in terms of confidence and communication. I also love learning from others whether that is reading an article or a book, attending a webinar/conference, or grabbing coffee with a colleague. 

I can't stress the importance of having a mentor(s) in the field. If you're on the hunt to find someone to serve as a mentor to you, be sure to map out your goals prior, and set clear expectations on how they can help you. Receiving guidance and advice from someone you trust and who cares about your professional development can allow your confidence to soar, and find clarity in your goals. The benefits are truly endless.