Matt Braun starts his role as new assistant dean for alumni affairs and development (AA&D) at the college on November 12.

As assistant dean for AA&D, Braun will serve as the chief development officer for all development programs, and direct the college’s overall fundraising and alumni outreach strategies, set campaign and annual fundraising goals for the college, and promote the college to internal and external constituencies. Braun will work closely with the college’s advisory council, alumni executive board, as well as faculty and staff in academic departments, hospitals and centers.

In previous roles, he served as director of development at the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell, was executive director at both the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia and The History Center in Tompkins County. Braun holds a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis. He also completed a post-graduate residency at the Slade School of Art at the University College of London as a Fulbright Scholar.

Braun succeeds Alison Smith, who served as interim assistant dean after Kevin Mahaney stepped down in early 2018. “We are very grateful for Alison’s efforts during this transition period,” says Lorin D. Warnick, D.V.M., Ph.D. ’94, Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Alison’s professionalism and experienced perspectives have been of tremendous value.” Smith will continue in her role as a major gift officer for the college, strengthening relationships with many of the College’s most generous alumni and friends.

In his new role, Braun will guide the AA&D efforts in sync with the College’s strategic priorities, and in support of the University’s vision to position Cornell as the model of a premier university for our times.

 “I’m thrilled to be joining such a talented AA&D team. Their success in helping to advance the College over many years provides a terrific foundation for our future work together.”

“I’m pleased to have Matt join us at the college,” says Warnick. “We are excited to begin working with him to reach the college’s strategic goals.  The college is fortunate to have exceptional Alumni and Affairs Development staff and Matt will be a terrific addition and leader for the team.”