Vin Cipolla Named Chief Philanthropy Officer

The Trustees of Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) are pleased to announce the appointment of Vin Cipolla as MMC’s Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Cipolla brings an extraordinary range of experience to his new role.  He is a recognized capital campaign and fundraising leader, a three-time CEO of major nonprofits, an accomplished corporate and venture CEO, and a successful entrepreneur in fin-tech, digital media, and communications.  He has also served on over 30 boards of directors of leading civic and business organizations, including Clark University, his alma mater.

“Vin Cipolla exemplifies the College’s vision—to prepare students to become creative changemakers who are able to adapt in a rapidly evolving world and advance their communities through impactful action,” said MMC President Kerry Walk, Ph.D. “Vin’s skills and experience leading tremendously successful philanthropy efforts will help to ensure that our talented, deserving students receive educational opportunities available nowhere else.”

Cipolla has been a lifelong champion of education, the arts, and the environment, as evidenced by his many professional activities.  Most recently, he was the head of the redevelopment campaign of David Geffen Hall, a partnership of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the New York Philharmonic.

Organizations Cipolla has led include The Municipal Art Society of New York, the Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston (The ICA), and The Arts Arena.  In his leadership role at the National Park Foundation, he produced the first White House Summit on Parks Philanthropy, and spearheaded what was the largest fundraising effort in the foundation’s history to support parks initiatives and projects across the country. He developed and launched the national First Bloom program, connecting parks conservation projects with underserved communities, giving young people a special role in national parks stewardship. First Lady Laura Bush served as Honorary Chair and spokesperson for all this work.

“I am thrilled to be joining Marymount Manhattan and supporting President Walk and the college’s Board of Trustees and administration as the College embarks on realizing its ambitious new strategic plan,” says Cipolla. “Leveraging a distinguished history of leadership in liberal arts education in New York, MMC is poised for exciting growth under President Walk’s vision and unyielding commitment to excellence, diversity, and the importance of a strong liberal arts education in today’s rapidly changing world.”

Cipolla has frequently appeared on national television and public radio over the years, on subjects ranging from urban design and conservation to wealth management and philanthropy, and has addressed audiences from the World Business Forum to the U.S. Congress.

“In Vin Cipolla, Marymount Manhattan has found a compelling, high-energy, and transformative leader who will be an effective advocate for the College and its mission,” said Lucille Zanghi, a member of the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the search committee for Cipolla’s position. “We are thrilled that Vin is joining the MMC community and believe he will inspire people to make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of our students.”

Cipolla earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude) at Clark University, where he was named a member of Phi Beta Kappa and later received an honorary induction to the University’s School of Management honor society. His wife, artist Celine McDonald, is a Marymount Manhattan College graduate.

Published: February 15, 2018