FORT PIERCE, FL— Indian River State College (IRSC) has hired lauded not-for-profit executive Annabel Robertson as Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Robertson brings more than 25 years of experience in operational management to her role at IRSC with proven acumen in fundraising, program development, strategic leadership, major gift development and organizational growth.
At IRSC, Robertson leads a team of development officers and support staff focused on philanthropy and resource development; oversees IRSC Foundation operations, funds and investments; and administers the College’s direct support organizations. The scope of her influence includes all five IRSC campuses, workforce programs, scholarships, athletic programs and two charter high schools.
“Annabel’s extensive track record of engaging stakeholders and Boards to generate new ideas and increase investment will help us take our development successes to the next level,” said Michael Hageloh, IRSC Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. “In recent years, the IRSC Foundation has enjoyed record-setting giving. Under Annabel’s leadership, this trajectory will continue to grow, creating more opportunities for IRSC to provide critical resources and exceptional learning environments for our students.”
Robertson has devoted her career to helping people in need. She comes to IRSC from the Treasure Coast Food Bank in Fort Pierce, where she served as Chief Impact Officer, overseeing planning, fund development and partnerships. Before that, as Executive Director for VNA & Hospice Foundation in Vero Beach, Robertson led the feasibility and planning of a new facility, managed annual fund development and oversaw the management of a $40 million endowment and investment portfolio.
A lawyer by license and trade in 2011, Robertson brought her skills to the challenges of non-profit management with United Against Poverty in Vero Beach. As Executive Director, she championed and led development activities, including the Lifting Lives Campaign; created and implemented mission-critical programs such as UP’s Success Training for Employment Program; and planned, raised funds and oversaw construction for the 48,000-square-foot Indian River County UP Center.
“Indian River State College is a vital pathway for economic mobility in our community, and I am excited to lead advancement activities here and to join such a vibrant and accomplished team of professionals.” shares Annabel Robertson. “I am also eager to work with our students—to help nurture good citizenship, instill the positive values of giving, and develop a culture of service.”
Robertson received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Denison University. She is a Certified Fundraising Professional, a Member of the Florida Bar Association and a Florida Certified Circuit Court Mediator.
A longtime resident of Indian River County, Robertson is an active community volunteer and has served on several boards, including the Community Church of Vero Beach and the Vero Beach Rowing Club. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Incubate Neighborhood Center in Fort Pierce. She is also a volunteer mediator with the Indian River County Eviction Diversion program.
About IRSC Institutional Advancement
The IRSC Office of Institutional Advancement creates opportunities and cultivates relationships with individuals, organizations, businesses and private foundations that support IRSC’s mission to make access to quality higher education available to all. Institutional Advancement develops and stewards resources to support and amplify the College’s vision, goals and objectives. The Office of Institutional Advancement closely partners with the IRSC Foundation Board of Directors and the Office of the President to accelerate IRSC’s purposeful impact.
About the IRSC Foundation
The Indian River State College Foundation is organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of Indian River State College. Managed by a voluntary Board of Directors, the Foundation is a private non-profit corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and by the State of Florida as a direct support organization for the benefit of IRSC.