Randolph announces new VP for institutional advancement
Today, Randolph College announced the appointment of Sheri Coombs Lambert ’94 as the new vice president for institutional advancement and communications.
Lambert, currently the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, was selected after a months-long, competitive, national search. She will begin June 1.
“Sheri comes to us with a wealth of experience in fundraising and donor relations,” said Randolph President Sue Ott Rowlands. “She has also served on our Board of Trustees and been actively involved in the College and its alumnae and alumni association over the years. She is uniquely positioned to understand the College and its constituencies and will be a strong leader as we continue our forward momentum.”
Lambert has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, including more than a decade with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. Before this position, she spent 16 years serving in various positions for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including executive director of the Virginia chapter. During her tenure at these two organizations, she has overseen 13 chapters with a combined revenue budget of $22 million. She brings significant experience in fundraising, philanthropy, fiscal management, relationship-building, and communications.
“I am excited and proud to join the remarkable team at Randolph College and look forward to advancing the needs of students, faculty, and staff, engaging in the community, and strengthening relationships,” Lambert said. “The growth at Randolph is incredible, and I could not be happier to join Randolph at this time. My belief in a strong liberal arts education and my own experiences with Randolph will help guide me as we build and prepare for the future.”
Lambert will follow Farah Marks, the current vice president of institutional advancement, who is retiring at the end of June after nearly four decades at the College. She has served in a multitude of departments during her tenure, including admissions, development, and as a member of the President’s Leadership Team. She has been instrumental in successfully leading Randolph through pivotal fundraising challenges during the pandemic, including securing funding for numerous facility renovations, including the Michels Athletic Center (MAC) and the current $23 million Martin Science renovation.
“We are grateful to Farah for her longstanding service to the College and will miss her vital presence on our President’s Leadership Team and her commitment and support of Randolph,” Ott Rowlands said. “However, her exceptional fundraising record and the foundation she has built over the past years will allow Sheri to step into a highly talented team of professionals. I know we are in good hands for the future.”
