Michael joined Rice in April 2026 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as Associate Vice President of Development for University Strategic Philanthropy and Priorities.  In this role, he led the central major gifts, gift planning and Penn Global fundraising teams across the university, overseeing strategy, prospect management, and performance metrics while partnering closely with deans and development leaders’ campus wide.  During his term at Penn, he rebuilt and expanded frontline teams, redesigned gift officer metrics and counting policies, strengthened collaboration across schools and centers, and helped position Penn for historic fundraising success.

Previously, Michael served as Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.  There, he led a 26-person alumni relations and development team, rebuilt the operation, and delivered record-setting fundraising results – including surpassing the school’s $200 million campaign goal well ahead of schedule.  Earlier in his tenure at UT Austin, he held senior leadership roles in the Cockrell School of Engineering, where he managed major and principal gifts, corporate and foundation relations, stewardship, and annual giving, helping drive more than $500 million in campaign commitments and advancing transformative interdisciplinary initiatives.