Jeannie Sager will spearhead vision, strategy for next phase of pioneering program at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Jeannie Sager has been selected as the next director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI.
An established philanthropy leader, Sager brings a wealth of expertise and more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and development experience in a variety of fields, including higher education, independent schools and healthcare. She has held key executive positions at several large nonprofit organizations.
“Jeannie Sager will be a dynamic new director guiding the next phase of our Women’s Philanthropy Institute, which is helping to understand the full potential of women in philanthropy and the potential of women’s philanthropy to transform the world,” said Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school. “Her experience working with women philanthropists as donors and volunteers will further inform the institute’s work, and her strategic, creative leadership style will help launch a new decade of excellence for WPI.”
Sager joins WPI from the Indiana University Health Foundation where, as director of philanthropy, she was a part of the leadership team that created a flagship statewide foundation from several disparate hospital foundations and that collectively exceeded its first-year fundraising goal by more than 330%.
A native Floridian, Sager previously served in senior executive positions at Methodist Health Foundation, the Indiana University School of Medicine and University High School of Indiana, where she built a full-scale development program from the ground up. She also held fundraising and development roles with Indiana University Foundation and Miami University. She will begin her tenure as WPI’s director on January 27, 2020.
“Many women innovators, leaders and donors have shaped my understanding of philanthropy and its potential and have nurtured my deep interest in the power of women philanthropists to shape the world through their philanthropic impact,” Sager said. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to employ those experiences and my passion for women’s philanthropy to lead the important mission and work of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute into its exciting future.”
In addition to her work as a philanthropy professional, Sager has served as a volunteer officer and board member for several national, statewide and local nonprofit organizations. An alumna of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, she holds a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies degree from the school and was a Jane Addams Fellow at its predecessor, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. She earned an international relations B.A. at Rollins College.
“While our national search yielded many, high-caliber applicants, Jeannie clearly emerged as the right person for this moment in WPI’s progress, and we are pleased that she agreed to join us,” Pasic said. “Thank you to our search committee, and especially its chair Kathleen Loehr and our board members Gail Freeman, Maureen Hackett, and Nicole Robinson for their devoted service during the search.
“We also owe many thanks to WPI’s first director at our school, Dr. Debra Mesch, who continues in her role as the Eileen Lamb O’Gara Chair in Women’s Philanthropy, and to Andrea Pactor, our alumna who has been acting as interim director of WPI for the past 18 months after serving as associate director. We appreciate their excellent service,” Pasic said.
About the Women’s Philanthropy Institute
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) is part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. WPI increases understanding of women’s philanthropy through rigorous research and education, interpreting and sharing these insights broadly to improve philanthropy. Follow us on Twitter @WPIinsights and “Like” us on Facebook.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter or “Like” us on Facebook.