David Woodruff

For David Woodruff, new Dean for Resource Development at HSPH, there is nothing cold or impersonal about pursuing donations and other resources.

"Philanthropy is not just a financial transaction," he said. "It is an emotional contract. People make decisions to be donors in a subjective way based on what inspires them. They want to give back as a way to further good work. That’s the real incentive."

With an emphasis on helping entire populations of people–particularly underserved communities–the field of public health and the mission of HSPH lend themselves to inspiration.

"The challenge will be to bring that mission to people’s attention and raise it to the top of their list of philanthropic choices," he said.

He describes fundraising as partly an art form, where a talent for listening and for connecting with people is important.

Woodruff is a veteran fundraiser. Prior to coming to HSPH, he directed the Office of Campaign Giving at MIT, where he led the Institute’s major gift fundraising staff. He played a major role in the "Campaign for MIT," the largest capital fundraising drive in the history of the Institute. He spent 11 of his 18 years at MIT working on development opportunities in Asia.

Woodruff heads the Office for Resource Development at HSPH, formerly the Development Office. The office is moving to the Landmark Center in mid-October.

"What appealed most to David, I think, was the mission of the school–the creation and transmission of knowledge that has the potential to improve the health of everyone, but is particularly important for disadvantaged populations in this country and around the world," said HSPH Dean Barry Bloom. "His decision makes clear he also likes to take on new challenges–and I am looking forward to forging a strong partnership with him to meet these challenges and develop core resources for the school that forward our mission."

Since undertaking his new role on September 3, Woodruff has been getting to know the school and has been meeting faculty members. He has already met a number of supporters of the school and has traveled to New York with Bloom to greet some of them.

On September 27, Woodruff joined donors, alumni, and others in honoring former HSPH Deans Howard Hiatt and Harvey Fineberg at the symposium "A Global Dilemma: Health Disparities," hosted by Bloom. He looks forward to meeting other supporters of the school.

In his new role, Woodruff plans to adopt a business-style approach to resource development. He sees the HSPH name as analogous to a brand name and would like to increase the school’s impressive profile even more.

"I would like HSPH to be the household name as the leader in public health in major constituencies representing friends, corporations, foundations, and the public," said Woodruff. "The name is already there, but we need to reinforce it."

HSPH is undergoing a comprehensive strategic planning process, and one of Woodruff’s priorities is to align the Office for Resource Development with the plan’s goals. He said that in addition to addressing the fundamental financial needs of the school and bringing in new donors, the office will be involved in helping to shape fresh initiatives.

Woodruff also plans to work with the Office of Alumni Programs at HSPH.

"The alumni are really the proof of the training and education that goes on here at the school," said Woodruff. "I would love to get to know the alumni’s stories."

Establishing an online presence for the Office for Resource Development is another goal, he said.

Woodruff is a graduate of MIT. He earned his MS in environmental engineering from Stanford University before returning to the Boston area and working at a local environmental consulting firm. In 1984, he joined the industrial liaison program at his alma mater, moving on to become the Director for Asia/Pacific Corporate Relations in 1989.

He was later appointed Director for Institutional Advancement in 1995 and Director for Campaign Giving in 1999, both at MIT. He holds an MBA from Babson College. He lives in Boxford, MA with his wife Denise Woodruff and their daughter, Natalie.

Woodruff can be reached at dwoodruf@hsph.harvard.edu.