Holt Hired as New VP of Development

National Jewish Health has appointed Susan Holt as Vice President of Development, effective August 4, 2008. Holt brings 27 years of fundraising experience, most of it at academic medical centers, to her new position. National Jewish Health raises substantial funds annually from private philanthropy.

“Susan brings tremendous leadership, energy and experience to our development efforts,” said Michael Salem, MD, CEO and President of National Jewish Health.  “We look forward to Susan playing a pivotal role in the growth of National Jewish.”

Holt spent 16 years at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she created a major gifts program for the basic sciences, helped secure the more than $100 million needed for a new NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, and staffed the Medical Center’s $615 million capital campaign. She also held senior leadership positions at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Weill Cornell Medical College, where she managed a $1.3 billion campaign that raised more than $700 million in nine months. Holt is well known in the field for her successes in managing mega-gifts, and is a frequent speaker on healthcare philanthropy. Most recently she was Senior Vice President of Philanthropy Services at Kent Creative, Inc., in New York City.

“I am thrilled to join National Jewish with its enduring reputation and history of compassionate care, education and pioneering research,” said Holt. “This is an especially exciting time as National Jewish, with its many philanthropic partners, implements a bold new strategic vision for preventive and personalized medicine.”

Holt follows Carol Gibson, who has given 24 years of invaluable service to National Jewish. In addition to raising millions each year to support operating expenses, Ms. Gibson led several successful capital campaigns, including the $52-million Centennial Campaign and a $31 million campaign for the Michael and Iris Smith Laboratories and Clinics.