Tuck recently welcomed Ben Porter as the school’s new Chief Advancement Officer. In this role, Porter will lead all advancement and alumni engagement efforts while partnering closely with the Deans’ Office, alumni boards and councils, and senior school leaders in developing philanthropic priorities that further Tuck’s mission.
Prior to joining Tuck, Porter served as associate dean of alumni relations and development at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. As the school’s chief fundraiser, he led the successful conclusion of a $514 million capital campaign, part of Northwestern’s comprehensive $6 billion “We Will” campaign. In addition, he directly led efforts to raise more than $11 million for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He also strengthened industry networks for Kellogg alumni by providing more lifelong engagement opportunities that aligned specifically with their professional interests and aspirations.
“I am delighted to welcome Ben Porter to the Tuck community,” says Dean Matthew J. Slaughter. “Ben’s extraordinary accomplishments in higher education advancement and his clear enthusiasm for the Tuck School and our alumni stood out among a deep and highly qualified pool of candidates for this important role.”
In total, Porter brings more than 20 years of advancement experience to Tuck. During the past 16 years at Northwestern, he has also served as Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts and International Fundraising; Executive Director of Development, McCormick School of Engineering; Director of Development, Interdisciplinary Research Centers; and Director, Leadership Annual Giving. Previously, Porter spent four years at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He has long been a regular contributor and presenter for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Higher Education (CASE) and is also a founding board member of the Strategic Initiatives Group for Advancement Professionals. He received his A.B. degree from Princeton University.
It is obvious there is something special going on here. Not only do Tuck alumni bring tremendous value to the organizations and communities they lead, but they also possess a remarkable readiness to support one another and the school.
Joining Tuck on the heels of a record-setting fundraising year in FY22, Porter looks forward to building on that success and exploring new ways to connect Tuck’s global alumni network. “It is obvious there is something special going on here,” he says. “Not only do Tuck alumni bring tremendous value to the organizations and communities they lead, but they also possess a remarkable readiness to support one another and the school.”
What attracted you to this opportunity at Tuck?
Among business schools, Tuck has the highest alumni giving participation in the world. As an advancement professional, I could not resist the opportunity to join such a highly engaged community. The Tuck student and alumni experience is legendary—a vibrant, tight-knit community that extends long after graduation. I also feel a strong connection with Dean Slaughter and the vision he has laid out for the school. Lastly, Tuck’s location is exquisite, and I can see why alumni love coming back again and again.
What do you find most satisfying about working in advancement?
My own life has been transformed by higher education, so it is a privilege to play a role in making educational opportunities accessible for future generations. There is also something special about doing this work at a leading business school, which has a direct role in supporting the systems and innovation that fuel our global economy. For alumni, there is an enduring relevance to the education they receive—they often stay engaged with what Tuck faculty are teaching today while bringing their own wisdom as practitioners to the campus community. This ongoing exchange lifts everyone, including the school.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am an avid cyclist, and I enjoy skiing and hiking with my wife and two school-age children. We belong to the Appalachian Mountain Club and love the system of huts here in New Hampshire.
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