To: Wellesley College Faculty, Staff, and Alumnae
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: New vice president for development
Date: December 16, 2024
I am pleased to announce that the College has selected Marisa Jaffe ’95 as our next vice president for development. During more than a decade at Wellesley, Marisa has held positions of increasing levels of leadership and responsibility. She has been the College’s associate vice president for development since 2023.
Marisa will serve as our lead fundraiser, with responsibility for all development efforts for Wellesley College and the management of our centralized development operation. As a senior officer of the College, Marisa will be a strategic partner and contributor to developing and achieving institutional priorities.
Marisa has nearly two decades of experience in development exclusively in higher education, and she has twice stepped up to serve as interim vice president of development at Wellesley. Her strategic insights, keen fundraising skills, and the strong relationships she has built will position her for success in this critical role. I am especially looking forward to having Marisa join the College’s Senior Leadership team, and I’m confident she will make significant contributions to advancing Wellesley’s mission.
Marisa began her career in development in 2006 at Wellesley, working at the College for four years before joining Harvard Medical School as director of development for principal and major gifts. She returned to Wellesley in 2013 as director of principal gifts and was promoted to assistant vice president for development in 2019.
At Wellesley, Marisa was instrumental in planning and executing the record-breaking Wellesley Effect campaign and in raising the funds for our state-of-the art Science Complex. She also envisioned and directed Wellesley’s first principal gifts effort and created the President’s Advisory Council.
Marisa’s Wellesley degree is in American studies with a concentration in political science. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and worked in litigation for several years before transitioning into fundraising.
“The generosity of our alumnae, parents, and friends, who are dedicated to Wellesley’s enduring mission, enables much of the College’s excellence—educating outstanding students regardless of their financial circumstances, supporting brilliant faculty, and sustaining the magnificent campus,” Marisa said. “Inspired by their commitment, I am honored to work with our motivated development office to support Wellesley now, and for its future.”
We’re fortunate to have Marisa’s commitment to Wellesley and to women’s education, and her extensive experience, especially at this important time in Wellesley’s history. Please join me in congratulating her on this well-deserved promotion.
