Rodney M. Grabowski is UCF’s Senior Vice President for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation, Inc. A passionate advocate for higher education and its power to transform lives, he oversees the university’s fundraising, alumni relations, partnership, communications and marketing efforts. Under his leadership, the Division of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships builds meaningful, fruitful connections that enhance UCF’s impact and result in new sources of revenue to fuel our excellence and unleash the potential of our students, faculty and community.

Mr. Grabowski has more than three decades of experience in nonprofit and advancement leadership, including extensive experience in higher education and health care philanthropy. He is a national leader in the use of artificial intelligence, data-driven strategy and innovative management strategies.

Before joining UCF in September of 2022, Mr. Grabowski served as Vice President for University Advancement with the University at Buffalo. His team surpassed the university’s fundraising goal of $650 million a full year early and increased the goal to $1 billion for the same time period of the campaign — an effort boosted by back-to-back record-setting years for UB.

Prior to his years at UB, Mr. Grabowski was at the University of Cincinnati as President of the University of Cincinnati Foundation, Vice President of Advancement, and President and CEO of the UC Health Foundation. At Cincinnati, he successfully concluded a $1 billion campaign, surpassing the goal by 10 percent. In Florida, he served as the University of South Florida’s Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement and campaign director, where he managed the university’s $600 million fundraising campaign. He also served in fundraising leadership positions at the University of North Florida and at Jacksonville University.

A native of Phoenix, New York, Grabowski holds the prestigious CFRE credential — Certified Fund Raising Executive. He earned an MBA from the University of North Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Syracuse University. He is an active member and leader in the Association of Fundraising Professionals and CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. An Eagle Scout, he is active in the Boy Scouts of America

Ruth Emanuel Maffa has been a development and fundraising professional for over 25 years. Currently, she is Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Brandeis University where she serves as Principal Gift Officer nationally and internationally. Prior to Brandeis, Ruth served as a major gift fundraiser at Jewish Family and Children's Service, Hadassah, Lahey Clinic, and Tufts University - her alma mater. Her volunteer roles have included cochairing the Development Committee and serving on the Nominating Committee at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA; and participating as a member of the Women in Development Membership committee. Ruth's career started in Alumni Relations, which she credits as laying the foundation for how to build solid relationships. Her other passion is music: Ruth is a professional harpist, having performed with the Tanglewood Music Center and the Boston Pops Esplanade orchestras. 

Heather Foss Thomas serves as the Assistant Vice President for Central Development at the University of Maryland. In this role, she oversees key areas including the Office of Gift Planning, Broad Based Campaigns and Strategic Engagement, Corporate and Foundation Relations, and the central frontline fundraising team which represent fundraising for student affairs, libraries, undergraduate and graduate studies, regional fundraisers, parent and family philanthropy and affinity specific fundraising. Heather is an accomplished advancement professional with extensive experience in higher education, known for her collaborative leadership and success in building high-performing teams. Before her current role, Heather was the Executive Director of Development for Constituency Units, where she managed central and campus-wide fundraising, supervising Chief Development Officers and Directors across various units. Her previous positions include Associate Dean for External Relations at the UMD Francis King Carey School of Law and Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. Heather began her career at Ohio University and gained further experience at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. A first-generation college graduate, Heather holds a degree from Ohio University, where she discovered her passion for fundraising.