Hodan Hassan has been named chief development strategist for the Global Health Institute (GHI) at Stony Brook University’s Centre ValBio (CVB).
Spearheaded by scientists and philanthropists Jim and Robin Herrnstein, GHI joined forces with the CVB — a research, conservation and educational organization established in Madagascar in 2003 — to conduct internationally led health science research for the benefit of the Malagasy people and to establish a sustainable healthcare infrastructure in one of the world’s poorest nations.
At Stony Brook, Hassan is responsible for helping translate this vision into a robust program and lead the institute’s philanthropic activities, including the design and execution of the fundraising strategy, generating revenue, and establishing long-term financial support in the areas of individual philanthropy, corporate sponsorships and foundations, as well as government grants.
“Stony Brook University’s ability to recruit outstanding professionals like Hodan only enhances our abilities for meaningful donor engagement and support to advance the Stony Brook mission,” said Dexter A. Bailey Jr., senior vice president of University Advancement. “Hodan’s leadership has already proven to be an invaluable addition to GHI and the University.”
Hassan joined the University in April 2016 with more than 20 years of experience working in senior-level development positions. Most recently, she served as associate vice president of program funding and prospect development for Save the Children, where she led a large team of professionals to support the organization’s fundraising and programmatic initiatives. Her past positions include managing director of prospect development and strategy at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, senior director of prospect development at the Arizona State University Foundation and associate director of prospect development at the University of Washington. She was also a member of the APRA Board of Directors from 2005–2011.
Given her background, Peter M. Small, MD, founding director of the Global Health Institute, believes Hassan to be uniquely qualified to forward the GHI mission. “Hodan has the rare combination of bold strategic thinking and detailed technical knowledge that will help guide Stony Brook University as we strive to improve human health and the ecosystems upon which we depend,” he said. “She’ll also be a crucial thought partner as she continues to work with faculty and staff in defining and finding opportunities for Stony Brook to make a difference in the lives of the global poor.”
Hassan described Stony Brook as a University that does powerful, life changing work through its contributions to communities in rural Madagascar. “I look forward to supporting this mission and am honored to join the Global Health Institute in its early stages and to be part of the innovative work, discoveries and the advancement of science that can impact the lives of people in our global communities,” she said.
Equally important to her role of raising funds to support GHI and CVB, Hassan aims to educate the broader community on the groundbreaking scientific research conducted at GHI/CVB and is eager to showcase how that work contributes to a larger body of knowledge that interrelates issues of global health, the environment and livelihood. Ultimately, she said she wants to make a difference in people’s lives.
Born in Somalia, Hassan holds undergraduate degrees in mathematics and physics and master’s degrees in applied mathematics and education, all from Long Island University in Brookville, New York.
Just prior to her arrival, Stony Brook launched its Campaign for Stony Brook, the University’s historic $600 million campaign — the largest fundraising effort in SUNY history. To date, more than $473 million has been raised by more than 38,600 donors.
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