Delstene Atkinson has been named assistant vice president of development at Olivet College, according to an announcement by BJ Hull, vice president for advancement. She assumed her new role June 29.
As a member of the advancement leadership team, Atkinson is responsible for planning and managing the major, planned, corporate and foundation giving efforts for the college. “We are very fortunate to have Delstene join the Olivet College community,” Hull said. “Her knowledge, expertise and leadership in fundraising and development will be a valuable asset as we work toward our vision of Charting the Course to the Olivet College of 2020 and Beyond.”
With nearly 30 years’ career experience, Atkinson comes to Olivet with senior expertise and leadership in all areas of advancement and development for nonprofit organizations. She previously served as foundation specialist and major gift officer at Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH). She was recruited by the organization’s vice president of development and marketing to advance philanthropy for the Verde Valley Medical Center Foundation, and was directly responsible for the Verde Valley Hospice Home Exceptional Place, Immense Community Resource $5 million special gifts campaign.
Prior to her time at NAH, she served six years in leadership capacities at Arizona Community Foundation, most recently as managing director of affiliates. In this role, she was responsible for managing $70 million and 16 statewide affiliate/community funds in various regions. Atkinson was also responsible for building local philanthropy by designing and executing major gift and planned giving fundraising plans, managing the foundation’s existing asset base and future fund acquisition, engaging in board development and guiding affiliate marketing, among other duties.
Atkinson has held a number of professional positions and affiliations, including serving as executive vice president of fund development at One Hope United of Chicago; interim vice president and development director of the Chicago History Museum; and assistant director and annual fund/development associate of the University of Chicago. A current resident of Olivet, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University and has completed graduate work at the University of Illinois at Chicago.