Murray Lopdell-Lawrence was appointed bequests manager at University of Otago in 2019. Formerly director of planned giving for Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America, Lopdell-Lawrence has extensive advancement experience in tertiary education, private school education, and the performing arts. 

Prior to Princeton Seminary, Lopdell-Lawrence served as vice president for advancement at American Boychoir School, Princeton, New Jersey, and was head of school (principal) for four private schools in four different states in the United States of America. His arts administration background includes working for performing arts organisations such as Chamber Music New Zealand and San Francisco Opera Center. 

With his broad experience, Lopdell-Lawrence has successfully supervised a wide variety of advancement and development activities, specialising in planned giving and bequests.