Danforth Center Announces New Vice President Of Development

ST. LOUIS - July 23, 2013 - PRLog -- ST. LOUIS, MO, JULY 23, 2013 - Dr. Jim Carrington, president of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced that Julia Silber Ruvelson has been named Vice President of Development and will join the Danforth Center staff in late August.  Ruvelson has served as Vice President at Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital since 2006, where she managed both fundraising and annual distribution of grants.

“We are thrilled Julia will be joining our leadership team in this important role during a critical time in our growth.   She brings with her a passion for science and a strong desire to see the Danforth Center have greater impact in the region and the world,” said Carrington.

Ruvelson has nearly 30 years of development experience and a proven track record of success. At the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital she worked with the board, hospital leadership and foundation staff to expand fundraising and grant allocation activity.  During her tenure, the foundation reached the Goldfarb School of Nursing Capital Campaign’s $20 million goal, and has since launched the $50 million Cancer Frontier Fund and the $25 million Heart & Vascular Center campaigns.

“We are very fortunate that Julia Ruvelson has joined us as vice president of development.  I welcome her and look forward to working with her,” said Dr. William H. Danforth, chairman of the board of trustees.  

Prior to her arrival at the foundation, Ruvelson was the director of development for UW Medicine, the University of Washington’s academic health system that includes the School of Medicine, UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  Other experience includes fundraising for Harvard University, UCLA School of Medicine including Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the Jules Stein Eye Institute, John Tracy Clinic, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.  Ruvelson earned a master of public administration at the University of Southern California with a specialization in intergovernmental management, and a bachelor of arts from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“I am excited to being my tenure at the Danforth Center at the end of August as it will be an natural progression of my life’s work in raising funds to address health disparities, educational challenges, and disease research, and I look forward to seeking broader local and national support for this world-class research center,” said Ruvelson.

About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science.  Research aims to feed the hungry and improve human health, preserve and renew the environment and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science.  The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants and contract revenue from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Bill & Melinda Gates and Howard G. Buffett Foundations.

The Danforth Center invites you to visit its website, www.danforthcenter.org, featuring interactive information on the Center scientists (http://www.danforthcenter.org/science/), news (http://www.danforthcenter.org/wordpress/?page_id=27&b...), and “Roots & Shoots (http://www.danforthcenter.org/wordpress/?page_id=10&banner=news_and_media/images/banner-news_and_media.jpg&side=sidebars/sidebar-news_and_media.php&nav=news)” blog that help keep visitors up to date with Center’s current operations and areas of research.  Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter (http://twitter.com/#!/DanforthCenter).

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For additional information, contact:
Karla Roeber, (314) 587-1231
kroeber@danforthcenter.org (mailto:kgoldstein@danforthcenter.org)
Melanie Bernds, (314) 587-1647
mbernds@danforthcenter.org