Karin Chao-Bushoven, who starts July 1, 2014, comes to FPU after holding positions at University High School and the Fresno Philharmonic. She has also worked for the Boston Public Library and the City of Providence, RI.
"Karin's breadth of fund development experience and strong relational skills make her an ideal fit for Fresno Pacific," said Diana Bates Mock, vice president for advancement and university relations. "We have a great deal of confidence in her abilities, allowing us to hit the ground running on a number of projects important to the university and our donors."
Chao-Bushoven comes highly recommended by area leaders. "Karin is a force for good in our community and an exceptional fund development professional," said Dan DeSantis, CEO, Fresno Regional Foundation. "With the combination of Fresno Pacific University's mission and Karin's expertise and personal integrity, FPU will continue to make the Central Valley a great place to live, learn and thrive."
"I am so pleased to have Karin join our team of advancement professionals at FPU. She brings with her tremendous skills and sensitivity, is highly regarded in the community and is a true delight," said Mark Isaac, associate vice president of university advancement.
Chao-Bushoven is equally pleased with her new appointment "I am tremendously honored to be named Fresno Pacific University's director of major gifts and to have the opportunity to join the dedicated and extraordinary professionals on the university advancement team," she said. "I look forward to sharing the mission, commitment and wide-reaching impact of Fresno Pacific University's most astute academic programs, faculty and student-scholars."
A native of California and graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, Chao-Bushoven did graduate studies at Brown University. While living on the East Coast, she served as the founding coordinator for the Providence, RI, Even Start Family Literacy Program, a federal effort focusing on early childhood education, parenting and adult education. She later directed Boston Public Library's literacy/education programs. Other previous employers include NASA's Challenger Learning Centers, the Department of Education and the George Soros Foundation.
Returning to California in 2005, Chao-Bushoven served as the Fresno Philharmonic Association's director of fund development for more than five years. Under her leadership, the philharmonic met and surpassed unprecedented fundraising goals. In addition to leading the major gifts program, she also procured funding for the symphony's youth and family concerts, increasing the program's service to Central Valley students, parents and teachers.
In 2011, Chao-Bushoven joined University High School, a nationally recognized college-preparatory institution, as its first staff director of fund development. Under the leadership of the school's board and head of school and working with the faculty, Chao-Bushoven spearheaded UHS' first purposeful major gifts campaign, the first charter-school fund development program in the Central Valley.
Community activities include guest lecturing on philanthropy and grants at California State University, Fresno; serving on the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Central Valley Chapter) Board of Directors; and being active with the Rotary Club of Fresno and the First 5 Fresno County Commission. Chao-Bushoven lives in Fresno with her husband, John Bushoven, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair of horticultural science at CSUF.