Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis announced today that Justin Fincher, PhD, has been appointed vice president for advancement and executive director of the Stony Brook Foundation, effective August 23, 2021.
“In Justin Fincher, we have found someone with incredible experience and who shares our University’s values,” McInnis said. “Not only is he a leader in higher education with a growing national reputation, but both his education and career have been shaped by public universities, which he believes create opportunity and make a meaningful impact like no other educational institutions. I look forward to welcoming Justin to campus, where he will play a key leadership role in the Stony Brook Foundation and help the University, Stony Brook Medicine, and the Long Island State Veterans Home realize all of our ambitious aspirations in research, teaching, and service.”
Reporting directly to President McInnis and serving as a member of her senior management team, Fincher will provide leadership for the University’s development and alumni relations operations and serve as executive director of the Stony Brook Foundation.
“I believe in the power of public research universities to develop engaged citizens who make a meaningful difference within their communities,” said Fincher. “Stony Brook has been on a remarkable journey, and I am thrilled to join President McInnis and a passionate team that is poised for continued growth. My family and I look forward to joining the Stony Brook family and meeting members of the campus community, alumni, and friends.”
Since 2013, while at The Ohio State University (OSU), Fincher has been responsible for strategy, operations, and resources to mobilize multibillion-dollar campaigns effectively and engage hundreds of thousands of alumni and donors in developing philanthropic support for the institution’s mission and goals. In that role, he manages a team of 125 staff and cultivates philanthropic support for academic departments and medicine.
He led the successful conclusion of OSU’s previous $3 billion campaign, one that engaged 750,000 donors, and oversaw the planning and launch of its latest $4.5 billion campaign. He served as chief operating officer of the OSU Alumni Association and worked closely with its board, and is providing interim leadership for the 80-person fundraising team for Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center and Health Science Colleges, which raises $200 million annually. Before his work at OSU, Fincher held leadership roles at Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University.
A higher education leader with a growing national reputation in the advancement profession, Fincher is an active volunteer leader in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He also developed and leads the Advancement Leadership Lab, a joint venture of nine public research universities to accelerate the growth of senior leadership in their advancement organizations.
Congratulations Stony Brook University, you’re getting in absolute gem in Dr. Fincher. I’ve worked with him for many years and his integrity, leadership and kindness are evident in his work. He will be missed at Ohio State.
As a 41-year veteran of the fund raising counsel profession, I welcome you to our community and wish you well in this endeavor. I have always believed, that while Stony Brook does well in its fund raising programs, it is on the cusp of becoming one of the leading state institutions, not only in academics and research, but also in philanthropy. Congratulations and good luck to you young man!
Good Luck and welcome to Stony Brook! Please be kind to student athletes!
Welcome to Stony Brook. You will enjoy it here, I look forward to meeting and working with you one day.