Duke Management Academy Scholars

Ben Gildea

Title: Asst Director of Marketing & Communications
Department: Duke Alumni Engagement & Development
Entity:
Class Year: 2024

Bio:
Ben Gildea started at Duke in 2011 after moving to North Carolina from New York, where he completed his MBA and held previous rolls in international business development, and sales management in the technology and defense industry. He currently serves as the Director of Fundraising Communications in the office of Alumni Engagement & Development. He leads a team that provides direct marketing communications with a focus on fundraising, spanning all 10 Duke schools. His teams' centralized efforts are focused on raising $10M+ annually from alumni, parents and friends taking them on a lifelong giving journey that inspires them to give annually, at greater levels over time, and to leave a legacy gift when they are able. His areas of responsibility range from leading the Annual Fund and Gift Planning account teams design and delivery operations for mass channel fundraising, to setting strategy and data analysis to increase Annual Fund dollars and donors raised year over year. Outside the office, Ben applies his knowledge as a former college athlete to coach youth lacrosse, soccer, and baseball. He is an active member in his community and sits on his school advisory council.