NEW YORK, NY—June 25, 2020—The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science announced that Dane Riggs of Norman, OK, has been appointed Executive Director of its Southwest Region, comprising Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Mr. Riggs will play a critical role in advancing philanthropic efforts to support the Weizmann Institute, a top-ranking, multidisciplinary research institution located in Rehovot, Israel.
Mr. Riggs brings to the American Committee significant fundraising, leadership, and management experience. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Development at the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, the earth science unit at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. In this role, he set the College’s overarching fundraising strategy in the areas of annual, major, leadership, and planned giving, as well as stewardship and communications. He was also part of the senior leadership team overseeing advancement across the university.
Prior to Mewbourne College, Mr. Riggs was a Major Gifts Officer at the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business, where he identified prospects and established relationships with key donors and corporations. During his tenure, he led the College’s efforts to successfully secure a $5 million gift to name the Center for Entrepreneurship, the second largest gift in the College’s history at that time.
Mr. Riggs holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where he served as President of his class. He earned a BBA from the Price School of Business. He is the founder of the OU Young Professionals Organization and a member of Young Nonprofit Professionals of Oklahoma City, as well as a volunteer for Bridges, which provides assistance to homeless youth.
“We are thrilled to have Dane join the American Committee,” said CEO Dave Doneson. “His expertise and creative, strategic approach to fundraising will be assets as he builds our new Southwest Region.”
“Now more than ever, science is critical for our shared future. I am honored to lead the Southwest Region in support of the transformational research at the Weizmann Institute,” said Mr. Riggs. “My passion as a fundraiser is to help supporters realize their philanthropic dreams, while making a positive social impact. At the American Committee, I’ll have the opportunity to achieve this on a global scale, by strengthening an institution that consistently raises the bar for basic scientific research and education.”
