Meet the Summit 2012 Chair

Penelepe Hunt
Vice Chancellor for Development
University of Illinois at Chicago

Penelepe Hunt is a professional fundraiser, trainer, management consultant and executive coach, with over 20 years of experience in the development field. As vice chancellor for development, she is the chief development officer for the University of Illinois at Chicago. She heads a comprehensive program that includes 17 schools and units, including the university hospital, and a central development office.

Since she arrived at UIC in 2004, she has instituted a monthly deans' training program, led the colleges and units in a development assessment and planning program and spearheaded the campus' preparations for its $650 million campaign. Prior to joining UIC, Hunt spent 13 years at Northwestern University, where she directed the university's $1.5 billion comprehensive campaign. While directing the campaign, she also managed the major gift operations of seven schools and the university art museum. In previous assignments at Northwestern, she directed the "Campaign for Scholarships" and managed the university annual giving program.

Before joining Northwestern, she was director of development for the Des Moines Art Center and has been acting director of development for the Illinois Arts Alliance and director of annual giving for Pomona College. In her private consulting practice, Hunt specializes in training, executive coaching and professional development for boards, presidents, deans and other senior leaders, and development staff.

She serves as a principal with the Woolbright Group, a development consulting firm. She is a frequent faculty member for CASE, and has been awarded the Crystal Apple for excellence in teaching.

Hunt earned a bachelor's degree in English from Pomona College, and a master's in business administration degree with distinction from the Kellogg School at Northwestern.