Lois Colaprete joins the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) as Vice President for Advancement, effective July 1. She brings 26 years of fund-raising experience in the non-profit development field with a specialization in board development, fundraising infrastructure, and systems and planning strategies.
“Lois values the crucial scientific and educational work being done by UMCES and will be a passionate advocate for our mission on local, state, and national levels,” said UMCES President Peter Goodwin. “The combination of her communication skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and a successful track record as a fundraiser will aid UMCES in developing new major gift prospects and partners, as well as enhancing our reputation to a broad constituency.”
The Vice President for Advancement is a member of the UMCES executive leadership team and is responsible for leading development activities across the institution. Colaprete will play a pivotal role in identifying partner and funding opportunities to support priority areas and to pursue diverse funding sources to sustain these major initiatives.
"Transformative environmental science is happening at UMCES," said Lois Colaprete. “I look forward to creating a fundraising effort that strengthens the institution and gives committed individuals, foundations and corporations the opportunity to join us in support of this important work."
Colaprete has served as executive director of The Salisbury School Educational Foundation and director of advancement for The Salisbury School since 2013. Prior to joining the school, she worked as a consultant and educator in the areas of nonprofit institutional capacity building, fundraising, board development, and strategic planning. In the Chesapeake region, she has worked as a consultant with ShoreRivers, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and other environmental and community organizations. She began her advancement career with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and served as President of the Illinois Chapter of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Minnesota.
