WASHINGTON — Alison Purvis has been promoted to chief development officer, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced today.  She will work closely with the president of each academy and the National Academies’ chief program officer in managing and providing overall strategic leadership of the philanthropy activities at the organization. 

Purvis joined the National Academies in January 2018 as campaign director and assumed the role of acting chief development officer in May 2019. Under her leadership, the development office supported the establishment of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Endowment, the James Prize in Science and Technology Integration, a range of new donor opportunities, and recognition societies.  Purvis has partnered with leadership, her colleagues in the Office of Development, and the dedicated teams across the program divisions, to strengthen the culture of philanthropy at the National Academies. 

Prior to joining the National Academies, Purvis served as interim co-chief executive officer and director of development of the Foundation and Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where she supported the successful closure of the £100 million Breathing Planet campaign. Prior to that position, Purvis led the Development Department at the Natural History Museum, London, where she completed the Darwin Centre campaign, designed and delivered the evolution campaign, and brought the world's most complete Stegosaurus fossil to the collections for public display. Alison is a graduate of St. Lawrence University in New York and received certification in Business and Executive Coaching from the University of Strathclyde.

“Alison has truly strengthened the culture of philanthropy at the National Academies by partnering with leadership, her colleagues in the Office of Development, and the dedicated teams across the program divisions,” said National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt.  “I am delighted to continue working with Alison and look forward to celebrating her success in her new role.”

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

Contact:
Dana Korsen, Media Relations Manager
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; news@nas.edu