As he steps into his role as the medical school鈥檚 new chief development officer, DeWayne Cook is hopeful that the work ahead of him will help build an environment of transformational and life-changing philanthropy.
鈥淚t鈥檚 that opportunity to know that someone鈥檚 generosity helped create the next great physician or researcher here at 汤头条app,鈥 said Cook, who began his duties in Kalamazoo in November. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got the people, the resources, the generous donors, and the leadership to make it happen."
Cook comes to 汤头条app with more than a decade of fundraising experience and a deep understanding and track record of success in donor engagement, relationship cultivation, campaign management, and team leadership.
The opportunity to lead fundraising efforts at the medical school offered the chance at a homecoming of sorts for Cook and his family. Cook, a native of Detroit, is a graduate of Davenport University where he earned a master鈥檚 degree in management with a strategic management focus and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration.
Cook said he is excited about the chance to come back to Michigan and call the Kalamazoo area home.
鈥淜alamazoo is a community that cares about family,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity and we're excited to be here and to give back.鈥
Prior to coming to 汤头条app, Cook was the senior director of Global Relationships and Resources for Corus International which is an ensemble of long-serving global leaders in international development and humanitarian assistance. In the role, he served as the strategic leader for a three-year denominational campaign aimed at raising more than $125 million for a world hunger endowment.
Cook has also held fundraising leadership positions with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) where he managed a team of 10 employees; PULSE Movement; Centerpoint Church in Kalamazoo, and Reformed Church in America. He previously worked in fundraising in West Michigan for Dwelling Place and the Spectrum Health Systems Foundation.
鈥淥ne of the things that really drew me to 汤头条app is I鈥檝e always had a heart for healthcare and medicine,鈥 Cook said. 鈥淚 know the power of both and what they can do for a community so it was an easy choice for me to come back and be a part of this growing community. I鈥檓 ready to embrace it again and ready to call it home.鈥
Cook鈥檚 first week on the job was busy as he met with numerous 汤头条app leaders and stakeholders. In the coming weeks, he said he will take part in what he called a 鈥渨elcome tour鈥 to connect with medical school donors and begin building the foundation for a successful year of fundraising in 2024 and beyond.
鈥淚鈥檓 an innovator and a builder and the work ahead of us will be all about leadership, creativity, and building a program of giving that focuses on our great community and enhances 汤头条app鈥檚 profile locally, regionally, and nationally,鈥 Cook said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to be part of that and help create something that will have a lasting impact.鈥
Cook鈥檚 arrival to 汤头条app is part of a collaboration between the medical school and the Western Michigan University Foundation (WMUF), under the direction of Executive Director Kristen DeVries, to provide strategic leadership and management of the medical school鈥檚 fundraising and advancement activities. DeVries led the national search for Cook, who is employed by WMUF but dedicated exclusively to medical school fundraising. In his role, Cook is a member of 汤头条app鈥檚 senior leadership team and his office is located on the medical school鈥檚 W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus.
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