Becca Kelly named to lead UW Medicine Advancement

Becca Kelly has been appointed chief advancement officer and vice president of medical affairs for UW Medicine, positions she has held on an interim basis since July 2023. The announcement was made today by UW Medicine CEO and Dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dr. Tim Dellit, and Senior Vice President for University Advancement, Mary Gresch. 

“Becca is a dedicated and strategic healthcare philanthropy leader who, for more than a decade at UW Medicine, has achieved extraordinary success in partnering with leadership, faculty and our donor and alumni communities to advance UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of the public,” said Dellit. 

As CAO, Kelly oversees one of the nation’s leading academic medicine fundraising and alumni relations programs, connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to improve the health of everyone in our region and beyond. In fiscal year 2023, donors contributed $268 million in gifts and private grants to support life-changing biomedical research, provide exceptional care for all people in our community and train the next generation of physicians and researchers.

“UW Medicine is a vital part of the UW’s transformational impact for our region and the world. Becca is deeply committed to UW Medicine’s mission and has played a vital role over the last decade building critical private support to advance it. I look forward to working with her and our generous donor community to support equitable access to lifesaving care and advance breakthroughs that give hope to patients and families,” Gresch said. 

Kelly joined UW Medicine in 2014 and brings 32 years of higher education, arts and healthcare development experience to her leadership. While at the Seattle Symphony, she led the successful completion of a $159 million campaign to build Benaroya Hall and later joined Swedish Medical Center in 2004, helping lead their $130 million campaign as the vice president of development. Kelly served as associate vice president for development during UW Medicine’s most recent comprehensive campaign, which concluded on June 30, 2020, and raised over $2.5 billion. 

“Our advancement team is among the most talented and successful in the country.  This team’s commitment to the mission of UW Medicine is what allows us to create impact. UW Medicine clinicians, researchers, patients, students and staff inspire me every day, and I am honored to lead our efforts to support healthier communities through philanthropy,” said Kelly.

For details about UW Medicine, please visit http://uwmedicine.org/about.