Trinity College has appointed Ben Anderson as the next vice president for advancement. He will join the Trinity community on September 2, 2025.
Trinity President Dan Lugo said, “Ben brings more than 25 years of experience and demonstrated talent in connecting alumni communities to the mission and transformative impact of higher education.”
Anderson has worked in advancement at Boston College for 13 years. Since 2022, he has served as associate vice president (AVP) for principal giving and campaign director of “Soaring Higher: The Campaign for Boston College,” an initiative with goals of raising $3 billion and 60 percent alumni participation. Under Anderson’s direction, the campaign has reached $1.8 billion so far thanks to the participation of more than 82,000 alumni. In the decade prior to his current position, he was promoted to several roles at BC including AVP for major gifts and director of parent development.
Before his time at BC, Anderson was a leadership giving officer at Habitat for Humanity International from 2010 to 2012. Stewarding more than 120 donors, he enjoyed bringing philanthropy to bear on the growth and impact of the organization. From 2006 to 2010, he worked at Skidmore College, serving as a gift officer and coordinator of the Friends of Skidmore Athletics.
“In addition to his impressive professional background, Ben’s strategic, personable, and compelling approach to institutional leadership and his love for liberal arts education were equally noteworthy to the search committee,” Lugo said.
A graduate of Bates College, Anderson majored in economics with a concentration in Spanish and served as captain of the men’s lacrosse team.
Anderson said, “A liberal arts education provides a foundation for so many opportunities and directions, something I have been grateful for in my own life. Ensuring access to education for students and securing support for transformational growth of organizations has been a driving motivation throughout my career. I look forward to meeting with Trinity alumni and parents and getting to know this exceptional community of supporters. Our work together to preserve the kind of holistic educational experience that colleges like Trinity offer is needed now more than ever.”
Henry Mallari-D’Auria ’83, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Institutional Advancement Committee and a search committee member, noted, “I am excited that Ben is joining our community. He brings great positive energy and skills in strategy development, creative problem-solving, and alumni and parent engagement. Ben clearly knows how to connect people with the ‘why’ of our educational mission.”
Lugo said that the Trinity alumni network is one of the College’s greatest assets, enriching the student experience and opening doors long after graduation. He said, “Ben will be an exceptional collaborator with all of us as we continue to tap into the energy, generosity, and deep devotion of our extended Trinity family.”
Lugo added, “Trinity is positioned as a premier national liberal arts college. Our future and strategic direction are fueled by the support and engagement of our students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni alike. Now at the conclusion of the All In campaign, we look toward Trinity’s next chapter and how best to elevate our strengths.”
The search committee was chaired by Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sonia Cardenas and also included Interim Vice President for Advancement Carrie Pelzel ’74, Trustee Walt Harrison ’68, H’18, Trustee Josh Newsome ’95, P’22, and Trustee Henry Mallari-D’Auria ’83, with additional feedback from faculty, staff, and alumni. The recruitment team at Isaacson, Miller facilitated the highly competitive national search.
