TM² Executive Search Seeking Chief Development Officer for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
March 14, 2025 – TM² Executive Search (TM²) is currently looking for a chief development officer for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). The search is being led by TM² Executive Search’s managing principal, Dakota Doman. The chief development officer at TMCF serves as a critical member of the executive leadership team, directly reporting to the president and CEO. This role is charged with designing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy to amplify TMCF’s mission, impact, and sustainability. With a competitive salary range of $175,000–$230,000 and a bonus potential of 20 percent, this position offers an unparalleled opportunity for a dynamic leader to champion innovative development strategies, enhance donor relationships, and drive transformational change for historically Black community colleges (HBCCs), and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) across the nation.
The CDO will craft and execute a multi-faceted fundraising strategy, leveraging TMCF’s established brand and legacy. They will lead efforts to engage major donors, corporations, foundations, and government entities, fostering partnerships that align with TMCF’s strategic goals. This role also includes building and managing a high-performing development team, creating infrastructure for sustainable growth, and enhancing TMCF’s visibility and advocacy. The CDO’s leadership will directly influence TMCF’s ability to support its member institutions and students effectively.
For this role a bachelor’s degree required, however a master’s degree preferred. Candidates should have seven or more years leading nonprofit fundraising initiatives and ten or more years at the executive level. Proven success in securing diverse funding streams and managing grant initiatives is also preferred as well as exceptional leadership, mentorship, and team-building capabilities. They must have a passion for TMCF’s mission and deep commitment to advancing HBCUs and PBIs.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is named for Thurgood Marshall, the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African American justice. It was established in 1987 under the leadership of Dr. N. Joyce Payne in cooperation with Miller Brewing Co., Sony Music, the NBA, Reebok and the American Association for State Colleges and Universities. TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 54 member schools, including publicly supported HBCUs, PBIs, historically Black community colleges (HBCC), medical schools and law schools.
TM² Executive Search specializes in providing exemplary executive talent acquisition consultation for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Predominantly Black Institutions, and other organizations looking to attract highly qualified, motivated, accomplished diverse candidates at all levels of the administration. The firm focuses on filling C-suite leadership positions, including presidents, chancellors and their cabinet-level direct reports, and board directorships.
In 2016, four former black college presidents launched TM² Executive Search. The firm is the brainchild of former black college presidents John Garland (former president of Central State University); Sidney Ribeau (former president of Howard University); Wayne Watson (president emeritus of Chicago State University); and Dorothy Cowser Yancy (president emerita of Johnson C. Smith University & Shaw University).
Related: TM² Executive Search Fills Senior Position for Benedict College
Dr. Doman has over 15 years of executive higher education experience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Predominantly White Institutions at various Research Carnegie Classifications. He has served as an executive administrator, academician, strategist, policy analyst, governmental relations liaison, and researcher. Dr. Doman has presented over 75 presentations across the country on various higher education topics related to HBCUs, organizational leadership and change management, talent acquisition, and student success.
Dr. Doman has served as a consultant, chair, or search advocate for over 50 executive searches in higher education throughout his career. He has coordinated executive searches at all levels of administration including president, provost, CFO, CTO, and chief student success/enrollment officer. He has considerable search experience in governance and policy organizations for State Higher Education Executive Officer (SHEEO) agencies such as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board where he completed five executive searches.
Past Search
TM² recently assisted in the recruitment of Michelle L. Mayo as provost and vice president for academic affairs of Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. “We were proud to partner with TM² Executive Search, a firm that understands the unique leadership needs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),” said Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Claflin University. “Their expertise, commitment to diversity, and deep network in higher education allowed us to identify a candidate who will elevate Claflin University’s academic vision and propel us into our next phase of excellence.”
“Claflin University attracted a strong pool of qualified candidates for this role, but Dr. Mayo stood out because of her myriad of experiences and her passion for advancing the academic mission of our institution,” Dr. Warmack said. “Her leadership in academic program innovation, student success, and institutional growth aligns seamlessly with Claflin’s commitment to excellence and transformation in higher education. I am excited to welcome her to the Claflin family and look forward to the impact she will have on our students, faculty, and academic programs.”
Related: TM² Executive Search Fills Senior Position for Benedict College
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
