About the Founder

Dr. Carolyn Campbell is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in higher education advancement with more than 30 years of success guiding fundraising strategy, campaign management, and organizational growth.

She has held multiple executive leadership roles, overseeing and executing campaigns, as well as corporate and foundation relations programs, that have generated over $1 billion in philanthropic support, including record-setting transformational gifts ($20–$60+ million) and the launch of several comprehensive campaigns. Her leadership and counsel has helped R1 universities, regional, private, and community colleges, as well as nonprofit organizations, build enduring donor relationships, strengthen development operations, and foster sustainable cultures of philanthropy. Her groundbreaking dissertation, which examined faculty perceptions of fundraising in graduate-level higher education curricula also informs a key focus of her consulting work. 

A recipient of the Fulbright International Administrator Award, Dr. Campbell holds both a doctorate and master’s degree in Administration of Higher Education, a Master of Science degree in Management, and has completed executive education programs at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley.

She currently serves as Interim Vice President for College Advancement and Executive Director of the Geneseo Foundation and is the Founder and CEO of Higher Ground Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping colleges, universities, and nonprofits achieve excellence in fundraising, curriculum innovation, and leadership development.