2022 40 Under 40 Winners

Will is refocusing the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) advancement team around key priorities in preparation for the re-launch of a capital campaign. In his role, he oversees a large team of philanthropy professionals including Principal and Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Grateful Patient Fundraising, Discovery Engagement, Corporate and Foundation Relations and Prospect Research and Management.

Prior to joining UAMS, Will led a team that raised more than $50 million annually for the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas – Austin. Under Will’s leadership, gifts of $1 million or more doubled year-over-year.

Will has been a regular presenter at both CASE and AAMC conferences.

He earned a master’s degree in interpersonal, organizational and crisis communication from the University of Arkansas System.

The mission of healthcare philanthropy ultimately pulled me into this field.  I have always believed there is a unique and special relationship between health systems and the communities they serve.  In addition to the care our health systems provide for the public, they are a catalyst for local economies. 

The future of healthcare is important now more than ever.  It is an honor to work with and gain the trust of our benefactors as they help shape the future of the industry through their philanthropy.

The easy thing to do would be to point to several multimillion dollar gifts that I have closed in my career and the impact of those gifts.  But as I think about it, those gifts really weren’t the most pivotal points in my career.  Rather, I would point to building two successful programs at previous institutions.  At Tennessee, I established a top producing regional development program that supplemented our unit-based fundraising teams and allowed us to significantly increase production across the board.  At Texas, I was lucky enough to help build what I would argue is the most successful principal gifts program in the country.  Year over year, we doubled the number of million-dollar plus gifts we closed.  In both cases, my former supervisors – who are mentors and friends – took a chance on me to build new programs that did not exist.  They trusted me, resourced me and allowed me to be creative.  I am thankful to have worked with some of the best in the business, and that is something that I will never take for granted.  

I get the greatest satisfaction from helping others, and I am grateful that our business affords us that opportunity every day.  As I mentioned previously, it is an honor to be trusted by donors to help advise them on philanthropic decisions that create a brighter future for all.  I am just as passionate about training the future leaders of our industry.  I love to help junior fundraisers become better Discovery gift officers through a series of trainings that I have developed.

Always be humble and kind, and never make a gift or this job about yourself.