Saint Mary’s College Announces New Vice President for Advancement

Holly C. Johnson joins leadership team

Saint Mary’s College has named a new Vice President for Advancement. President Katie Conboy, Ph.D. announced Holly C. Johnson, currently chief advancement officer at Culver Academies, to this key position at the College. 

At Culver Academies, where she has served since 2016, Johnson led efforts to fully integrate the Advancement team, including fundraising, alumni engagement, parent relations, international advancement, marketing/communications, and admissions. During that time, her team delivered record-setting fundraising results and spearheaded work to develop consistent branding and messaging for internal and external audiences. Prior to her work at Culver, Johnson was vice president of development for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, where she directed the development team responsible for major giving, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and communications.  Johnson also served as the founding director for Women’s Philanthropy at Indiana University.  

Recognized as a thought leader in women’s philanthropy engagement and programming, Johnson traveled with IU first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie to engage the university’s alumnae. She recently received a Bicentennial Medal from IU President Michael McRobbie for her successful work to bolster alumnae support. Previous to her role in women’s philanthropy, Johnson was director of major gifts at Indiana University Foundation.

President Katie Conboy said the Saint Mary’s community looks forward to welcoming Johnson in late October.

“I am thrilled to have Holly Johnson join Saint Mary’s as Vice President for Advancement,” Conboy said. “Holly’s leadership skills and energy for innovative fundraising, marketing/communications and alumnae engagement will guide us in supporting the next generation of Saint Mary’s students and enriching their campus experience.”

Johnson is a graduate of Indiana University’s School of Public Affairs, receiving a bachelor’s degree in public affairs. She also holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She is a current member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging task force for the CASE Independent School Leadership Group and a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council at Indiana University. Johnson also served as an adjunct Instructor and Distinguished Alumni Council member for Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs.