Situation Overview:

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) for Lane College.

About Lane College:

Lane College provides students with a deeply transformative undergraduate education - intellectually, spiritually, and socially - and have for almost 150 years. They’ve nurtured business leaders and spiritual leaders, novelists and scientists, physicians and public servants, and scholars and teachers in nearly every field of endeavor.

They’re one of America's oldest colleges, steeped in great social traditions. Thirty-six buildings sprawling across 55 acres create a truly exceptional academic and living environment.

Award-winning and accredited academic programs are offered in dozens of majors and minors - business, entrepreneurship, criminal justice, social work, health care, and more. They prepare you with the hottest in-demand career credentials.

Their campus is designed for flexibility. Giving more options applies to everything they do - from diverse food options and tons of fitness activities to a vibrant social calendar involving over 70 Greek-letter, athletic, religious, music, and special interest group activities.

Lane College Mission Statement

With strong ties to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the College’s Mission is to develop the “whole student.” Academic excellence is the institution’s top priority, and it is achieved through a student-centered and nurturing approach to learning supported by excellent teaching, teaching-related research, and service. The College believes that one’s intellectual capability coupled with social and spiritual growth is essential to the development of a well-rounded individual.

In keeping with this Mission, the College offers creative and enriching academic programs to prepare students for their chosen careers; and encourages active student engagement to cultivate life-long learning.

Lane Life

Lane College is a place of intense energy and creativity, built on a foundation of academic, spiritual, artistic, athletic, and musical excellence. They’ve packed the calendar with things to do - both inside and outside the classroom.

There are vibrant residential learning communities, an active Greek life, over 70 student clubs and special interest groups, band, choir, praise teams, and over a dozen varsity and recreational sports. At Lane, there's never a dull moment.

Academics

Their office prepares you for a highly competitive world after graduation, one where you will not only compete with graduates from other schools, you will thrive over them. They prepare you for the best jobs and graduate schools after you leave here. They want you to be proud of the accredited diploma you receive, hanging it on the wall of your top floor, corner office for all to envy.

Position:

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) serves as the College's chief external affairs and fundraising officer, responsible for building enduring relationships and securing significant philanthropic, governmental, and community-based supporting alignment with Lane College's mission and strategic pillars. As a member of the President's Cabinet, the VPIA leads a team responsible for major gifts, alumni relations, government and community affairs, workforce partnerships, and strategic campaign development.

The VPIA is accountable for delivering on an institutional fundraising goal equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the College's annual operating budget. For FY2025, that equates to a minimum of $4.05 million. All unit-level revenue raised by Cabinet peers that meets or exceeds ten percent (10%) of their respective operating budgets is included in the institutional total but must be reported, verified, and coordinated through the Office of Institutional Advancement. All revenue calculations shall be net of any direct costs associated with securing those funds, including but not limited to travel, consulting, events, sponsorship activation, and personnel.

The VPIA will lead the integration of advancement systems, including the College's Blackbaud CRM, and ensure all donor, partner, and alumni activities are data-informed, strategic, and focused on building Lane College's financial vitality and reputation.

Position Description:

Strategic Leadership & Cabinet Collaboration

• Serve as a senior advisor to the President and an active member of the Cabinet;
• Design and lead an institution-wide fundraising strategy that aligns with Lane's strategic pillars: Academic Excellence, Experiential Learning, Financial Vitality, Strategic Enrollment Management, Community Engagement, and Differential Advantage;
• Coordinate with Cabinet members to ensure each operating unit generates revenue equal to at least 10% of their annual operating budget;
• Aggregate unit-level fundraising data and integrate these results into institutional advancement dashboards, reports, and strategy.

Fundraising & Campaign Execution

• Personally manage a portfolio of at least 25 major donors and prospects capable of giving $25,000+ annually;
• Lead all aspects of major campaigns, including:
  
  • The All-Steinway Campaign;
  • The Lane College Hall of Fame;
  • Alumni Center Capital Campaign;
  • Community Engagement Initiatives;
  • Endowed Scholarships and Professorships.
• Oversee the creation and dissemination of six (6) or more cases for support annually.

Government, Foundation & Community Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison to local, state, and federal government agencies, elected officials, and national associations (e.g.,UNCF, NAICU);
• Advance legislative, civic, and funding agendas to support HBCUs and Lane College;
• Represent Lane in civic and economic development initiatives, including CRA District 2, workforce development alliances, and education coalitions.

Advancement Infrastructure & Technology

• Ensure optimal and strategic use of Blackbaud and other advancement technology systems;
• Create institutional dashboards to monitor progress against KPIs and inform decision-making;
• Ensure accurate donor records, proper segmentation, timely stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

Supervision & Team Development

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate a high-performing advancement team;
• Foster a culture of strategic thinking, donor-centric relationship building, and measurable outcomes;
• Ensure alignment of team goals with institutional advancement strategy.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred in nonprofit management, higher education leadership, public administration, ora related field;
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible advancement or development experience in higher education or mission-aligned nonprofits; HBCU/UNCF experience strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing major gift campaigns, securing six- and seven-figure gifts, and managing donor pipelines;
• Expertise in community engagement, board and volunteer management, and public-private partnerships;
• Proficiency in Blackbaud or similar CRM and advancement platforms;
• Culturally competent leadership, preferably in institutions serving underrepresented or first-generation college students.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIS)

• Minimum of $4.05 million raised annually through combined advancement efforts (net of costs);
• Minimum of 6 cases for support produced annually;
• 25+ major donor/prospect engagements quarterly;
• 100% coordination and reporting of Cabinet-level unit fundraising;
• Launch of at least one new strategic campaign or initiative per fiscal year.

Lane College Mission Alignment

Lane College, founded in 1882, is a proud HBCU committed to developing the "whole student" through Christian principles, academic excellence, and community responsibility. The VPIA will advance this mission by securing the resources and partnerships necessary to ensure Lane's ongoing relevance, impact, and institutional strength.

Senior Management:

Dr. Donald Comer

President

Dr. Comer brings a wealth of experience to Lane College, particularly through his long-standing association with FedEx Corporation. Over his 35-year tenure with FedEx, Dr. Comer has consistently demonstrated his leadership and management skills in various business disciplines including data analytics, marketing, finance, strategic planning, and project management.

Dr. Comer’s commitment to student success is unwavering. He has been a tireless advocate, advisor, and mentor for students, dedicating significant personal time to serving on the boards of two historic black colleges and the National Black MBA Association.

“I am honored to serve as President and have a lifelong passion for the critical mission of Lane College,” said Comer who recently retired after a 35-year career as a senior executive with FedEx. “Working with the dedicated faculty, staff, alumni, and community, we will work to enhance educational opportunities and support student success, while staying true to Lane College’s mission and values.”

Dr. Comer has a PhD in Urban Higher Education, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He was Vice President, Decision Science & Analytics and Operations Analysis at FedEx.

Location:

Jackson, Tennessee offers a comfortable, community-oriented lifestyle with a blend of small-town charm and convenient amenities. Known for its affordable cost of living, Jackson provides spacious housing options and a relaxed pace that appeals to families and professionals alike. The city has a growing economy supported by healthcare, manufacturing, and education, along with shopping centers, local restaurants, and entertainment options. Residents enjoy easy access to parks, nearby lakes, and regional attractions, while still benefiting from its location midway between Memphis and Nashville for weekend trips or larger-city experiences.

Interview Process:

ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:

1. Initial interviews with ZRG
2. ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
3. Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
4. Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
5. Formal referencing
6. Offer extended

About ZRG:

ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.

Dakota Doman‍

Managing Director

ddoman@zrgpartners.com

Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country.

Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman.

Jerel Booker

Principal

jbooker@zrgpartners.com

Jerel Booker is a senior executive and talent strategist with more than two decades of leadership experience driving organizational performance, strengthening leadership pipelines, and advancing mission-critical priorities across higher education, K–12 systems, government, and the nonprofit sector. He most recently served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he led national searches, particularly for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and oversaw enterprise operations, aligning people, processes, and technology to accelerate firm-wide growth and deliver measurable client impact.

Link to complete bio for Jerel Booker.

Kelly Lewis‍

Vice President, People Culture & Inclusion Lead

klewis@zrgpartners.com

+1.856.685.1450

Kelly Lewis leads ZRG's purposeful commitment to the development of people and culture across the sports, media, and entertainment industries, focusing on the identification and magnification of talent stemming from underrepresented groups. Throughout her career, Kelly has illuminated the positive implications that representation can have in developing inclusive organizational cultures that drive significant business success.

A member of the National Black MBA Association, Kelly partners with clients and executives alike to provide counsel on professional development and the execution of wholly inclusive recruiting and hiring processes in an effort to champion better representation across every aspect of our industry. Kelly oversees all of ZRG's diversity, HR, and philanthropic searches and has successfully placed executives at the Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, RISE (Ross Initiative In Sports For Equality), and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Link to complete bio for Kelly Lewis.