Danielle Bowes (SIS ’08), an experienced fundraiser with a dozen years of experience at mission-driven nonprofits and political organizations, became SOE's Chief Development Officer in September. Formerly the Director of Development for the Fairness Project overseeing fundraising for the organization running ballot measure campaigns, she also served as Associate Director of Development at the Brookings Institution managing major individual and corporate unrestricted giving. Much of her career involved building sustainable funding infrastructures from the ground-up and helping organizations professionalize their development programs to produce long-term growth.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of taking what I learned in politics and non-profits and applying it to the higher ed environment,” said Bowes. “I’m an AU graduate myself, so I’m very excited to be using my professional skillset to help give back to my alma mater. It’ll be rewarding to build meaningful long-term relationships with donors, many of whom will be fellow AU alum, and forge a stronger connection with this incredible community.”

“Danielle’s success with development at Brookings and the Fairness Project give her an excellent background to help elevate the School of Education and secure funding for future students,” said Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy. “We’re so happy to have her as a member of the team and AU family!”

Bowes hopes to be an ambassador for the innovative work being done at SOE, and her mission “will be to cultivate the support needed to help solidify SOE’s reputation as a leader in education policy and practice especially as it relates to antiracist education, diversity and inclusion, and transformational partnerships.”

Originally hailing from New Jersey, she graduated from AU’s School of International Studies in 2008. An avid traveler having lived in nine cities in three countries, she has called DC home since 2017. She did her first triathlon in 2021, sparking her interest in endurance sports she is often training for. Bowes welcomes any recommendations for her next big trip, “I’m looking forward to a seven-day white water rafting excursion in the Grand Canyon next year.”