Brad Brown and his wife, Chelsea, have built their lives around education. For Brad, growing up in Central, Pa. his foundation in the discipline began during his high school years at Milton High in Milton, Pa.

“I was fortunate to be the beneficiary of an endowed scholarship fund, established by two local families,” Brad explained. “The focus of the fund was to support students attending Bucknell University.”

Attending Bucknell with a focus in studies in Political Science and Philosophy -- Bucknell is also where he met Chelsea -- Brad called his years at the University in Lewisburg, Pa. “life-changing” and instilled a great appreciation for the value of a high-quality, living-learning community in him.

“Through a lens of gratitude, I solidified an understanding of the vital importance of strategic, visionary and impactful philanthropy in leading and sustaining institutions of learning,” Brad said. “In building a career in educational development, I have found my vocation.”

Brad, who said friends and family describe him as someone who is “high-energy, fun, outgoing, and personable” looks to bring his passion and zest for education to his role working in the Alumnae and Development Office as Westover’s Director of Leadership and Planned Giving.

My goal is to connect and reconnect with as many Westover alumnae as possible in order to share in the joys of Westover’s bright future, together,

Brad said.

Coming to Westover from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, where he served as the Executive Director of Advancement, Brad will work closely with Westover donors who view the institution as one of their top philanthropic priorities.

As the Director of Leadership and Planned Giving, I am positioned to serve as a chief philanthropic resource for our Alumnae, Parents and Donors to support Westover’s mission, ‘Empowering Young Women to Lead Lives of Consequence.’

The Westover mission statement is one Brad said he immediately connected with as those words inspire him to serve the Westover community.

“To me, our mission’s success depends on a multi and cross-generational commitment with each other and ourselves to truly empower our students,” he said.

Less than a month into the job working at the Hillard House on the campus, Westover’s rich 112 years of history, coupled with the future of the School, has Brad excited about all of the philanthropic opportunities for the graduates of Westover.

“It’s important to ask all of our alumnae (regardless of age), ‘How can we make Westover a philanthropic priority for you?’ If we can, then a planned gift can be a beneficial and attractive way for you to make a mutually “empowering” gift to Westover,” Brad said.

Brad, who is an avid sports fan, enjoys everything Ohio/Cleveland, is a big-time cribbage player and collects antique books, said he and Chelsea, who attended Loomis Chaffee growing up, have already found their niche at Westover.

“(We) have always sought out campus communities which would benefit our family personally and professionally,” he said. “With Chelsea serving as Sophomore Class Dean and a member of the Dorm Faculty, we have found a home in Westover that takes great pride in cultivating a nurturing, academic environment. Our children, Parker (son, 5 this month) and Maisie (daughter, 17 months) love it, too.”