Announcement : Institutional Advancement Leadership

Dear members of the Emerson community:

I am writing to share news about a leadership plan for the division of Institutional Advancement (IA) that will ensure the continuation of our forward momentum as the search for Emerson’s next new president progresses. Beginning October 18, David C. Howse will assume the role of Vice President of Institutional Advancement, leading the advancement, fundraising, and alumni engagement teams. David will also continue to serve as Vice President of the Office of the Arts & Executive Director of ArtsEmerson. 

David will join the current leadership of the Institutional Advancement group, including Amy Tamburino, who has managed department operations over the last several months. Amy has assumed the role of Senior Associate Vice President, Advancement Administration.

Together, and with the IA team, they will work to build upon the foundation laid for fundraising and alumni engagement for the College and seek to advance the division’s short term strategic goals and activities to ensure alignment with the College’s priorities. In particular, David will lean on his experience at ArtsEmerson, where the organization aligns the arts with diverse, inclusive and innovative community engagement, to enhance the development work done on behalf of the College.

David joined Emerson in 2015 as the Associate Vice President for the Office of the Arts and Managing Director for both ArtsEmerson and the Office of the Arts. Prior to that he was the longtime executive director of the Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC), a nationally recognized youth arts organization committed to uniting the city’s diverse communities through the power of their voices. As a faculty member at the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, David teaches a management and leadership seminar to nonprofit managers and executives. David also serves on the Boards of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Philanthropy Massachusetts. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for Eastern Bank, Landmarks Orchestra and as co-Chair of the Advisory Council of the New England Foundation for the Arts.

David has received numerous awards for his innovative leadership and civic contributions including being named in 2018 as one of the GK100: Boston’s Most Influential People of Color and in April 2020, he was named by the Boston Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in Boston. In September 2020 he was named Vice President of the Emerson College Office of the Arts in addition to his role as ArtsEmerson’s Executive Director.

Please join me in extending our gratitude and congratulations to David and Amy for stepping into their new leadership roles to support the continuing success of Institutional Advancement and Emerson College.

Sincerely,
William P. Gilligan
Interim President