Vanessa Nerbun has been named University School of Milwaukee’s chief advancement officer. She was selected by USM’s Head of School Steve Hancock after a three month national search, and brings extensive experience and knowledge to the role.
Nerbun joined USM in 2013 as the director of annual giving and alumni relations, where she worked closely with the director of development to steward major donors across various giving categories, including restricted, annual, endowed, and planned giving. In that role, she successfully solicited and closed many five- and six-figure major gift commitments for the Our Common Bond campaign, and organized and executed the ICE Ball, that campaign’s signature fundraising event.. Prior to that role, she worked in fundraising for the United Performing Arts Fund, Vision Forward Association, and Special Olympics Wisconsin.
In June 2022, Nerbun transitioned roles to serve as the executive assistant to the head of school at USM, in part to serve as a liaison between that office and the school’s Advancement office in preparation for a future campaign. “Vanessa’s personality, long-term relationships with USM constituents, love of USM, willingness to do anything that is needed, and ability to engage donors in conversations about their philanthropic support of USM have positioned her well to serve as our next chief advancement officer,” said Hancock.