PRESS RELEASES

Bryant Group Selected to Recruit the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Services for Boise State University Foundation

Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group, has been selected to recruit the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Services for Boise State University Foundation. Sarah Hempen, Vice President of Search, of Bryant Group, is spearheading the assignment for the search firm.

“It’s an exciting time to be at the Boise State University Foundation,” said Argia Beristain, CEO of the Foundation. “We’ve raised over $450M of our $500M fundraising goal by 2028 for Unbridled: The Campaign for Boise State University. The AVP for Advancement Services will play a critical role in maintaining this momentum, providing strategic leadership as part of our executive team, and building the infrastructure now that we’ll need for the Foundation’s exciting future.”

The successful candidate is a visionary that can lead a high-impact, donor-centric advancement operation at one of the nation’s most innovative public universities. Reporting to the Foundation CEO, the AVP guides four key teams—Advancement Systems & Information Delivery, Gift Handling & Administration, Prospect Development and Stewardship—while driving strategic use of data and technology to support fundraising success.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic, data-driven leader to make a lasting impact on the University’s philanthropic future. In this role, the AVP oversees the Foundation’s CRM (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT), fosters a performance-driven culture and plays a central role in Boise State’s comprehensive campaign. As compliance officer, the AVP also shapes policy, governance and operational alignment in close partnership with University and finance leaders.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, mission-driven leader ready to drive meaningful impact through people, systems and policy. Must be a strategic, analytical thinker with strong communication skills and a solid understanding of IRS regulations, CASE guidelines and best practices in gift processing and stewardship. A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and 8–10 years of relevant experience, including at least five in a leadership role are required.

About Boise State University
Known for its vibrant community and its “blue turf thinking”, Boise State is the largest university in Idaho, providing an innovative, transformative and equitable educational environment that prepares students for success and advances Idaho and the world. Serving more than 32,000 students annually, Boise State is proud to be powered by creativity and innovation, receiving national recognition as one of the most innovative universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Located in Idaho’s capital city, the university has a growing research agenda and plays a crucial role in the region’s knowledge economy and famed quality of life. In the past 10 years, the university has quadrupled the number of doctoral degrees and doubled its master’s degree offerings.

About Boise State University Foundation
A nonprofit Idaho organization, the Boise State University Foundation was established in 1964 for the benefit of Boise State University. The Foundation works to inspire, generate and prudently manage private support for the university. The Foundation works to build relationships and support for student success, including the university’s mission as a metropolitan research university of distinction. The Foundation focuses on telling the University’s story, developing and nurturing donor-centered relationships and helping ensure the stewardship of gifts made to support Boise State.

Advancing Great Leadership
Bryant Group, based in Dallas, Texas, and with associates located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership coaching for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder, Chris Bryant, started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm has a long history of recruiting, developing and coaching great leaders. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 300 organizations across the US and Canada.