New Vice President for Advancement
July 14, 2025
Dear Trinity College Community,
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Anderson as Trinity College’s next vice president for advancement. With more than 25 years of experience, Ben quickly emerged as the top candidate in a highly competitive national search.
Ben brings a wealth of experience and demonstrated talent in connecting alumni communities to the mission and transformative impact of higher education. He comes to us from Boston College, where he has worked in advancement 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 ambitious initiative with goals of raising $3 billion and 60 percent alumni participation. Under his 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, Ben 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. A graduate of Bates College, Ben majored in economics with a concentration in Spanish and served as captain of the men’s lacrosse team.
“A liberal arts education provides a foundation for so many opportunities and directions, something I have been grateful for in my own life,” Ben shared. “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.”
The Trinity alumni network is one of our greatest assets, enriching the student experience from day one and opening doors long after graduation. 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.
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.”
I wish to extend my appreciation to the search committee: Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sonia Cardenas (chair), 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. I am grateful for the feedback we heard from faculty, staff, and alumni. Thank you to the recruitment team at Isaacson, Miller for facilitating the process and for building a strong pool of candidates.
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.
Ben will begin his time at Trinity on September 2. Please join me in welcoming him to the community!
Sincerely,
Dan Lugo
President of Trinity College
