CU Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano today named Derek C. Bellin interim vice chancellor for advancement, effective Feb. 2. Bellin, who currently serves as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs in the Office of Advancement will succeed Deb Coffin, who announced her retirement on Nov. 2.
Derek Bellin
“Derek’s deep experience in advancement in research-intensive higher education and his impact since joining CU make him the ideal interim leader to continue CU Boulder’s successful advancement efforts,” said DiStefano. “I and our entire academic leadership team look forward to continuing our partnership with him.”
Bellin joined CU Boulder in May of 2017 as assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs – Office of Advancement. In both that role and his current role, he is the principal advancement strategist for executive and academic leadership, overseeing Boulder’s campus level, college-, school- and institute-based advancement professionals.
He has led advancement’s support of the Inclusion, Excellence and Diversity in Academics (IDEA) Plan. During his tenure, CU Boulder has achieved record-breaking years of annual philanthropic productivity.
Prior to his roles at CU Boulder, Bellin served as senior vice president for communications, marketing and philanthropy for Lahey Health and as a senior executive for Freeman Philanthropic Services LLC, a talent management consultancy focusing on higher education and the nonprofit sector. He also has served in advancement leadership with the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club Foundation.
Within higher education, Bellin served as vice president for university relations and chief development and marketing officer at Case Western Reserve University (2003–05) and as assistant vice president for university development and alumni relations, and in two preceding advancement roles at Columbia University (1995–2001). He was both a deputy director and director of development and alumni relations at Long Island University (1990–92), and an assistant and associate director of development at Stanford University (1989–90).
“I am honored to undertake the interim VCA role at such a vital time in CU Boulder’s history,” said Bellin. “I am humbled by Chancellor DiStefano’s confidence, eager to continue working with our donors, alumni, deans, faculty and our advancement team, and gratified to be able to continue the trajectory that Deb Coffin established for advancement as vice chancellor.”
DiStefano indicated that Bellin will serve in the post until the conclusion of a national search for the vice chancellor for advancement at CU Boulder.
