Duke Leadership Academy Scholars Profile

Ann Thurston

Title: Senior Director, Development & Major Gifts
Location:
Senior Management Area: Nicholas School of Environment
Class Year: 2025

Bio:
Ann is a fundraising and advancement professional with over 20 years of experience in higher education. She oversees philanthropic strategy, donor engagement, and operational management for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Ann develops integrated fundraising strategies that align institutional priorities with personalized donor engagement, leveraging targeted communication and stewardship to drive fundraising success and strengthen donor relationships. Working alongside the Associate Dean, Ann played a key role in helping the Nicholas School surpass its seven-year Duke Forward campaign goal of $55 million, ultimately raising $115 million. She also managed the annual fund, implementing communication and stewardship strategies that resulted in record-breaking revenue of over $1 million for the first time in school history. Additionally, Ann has secured multiple five- and six- figure gifts for the Nicholas School and actively manages the Board of Visitors pipeline, successfully recruiting new members to enhance its leadership and engagement. A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), she holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the University of Northampton, England.