Hayden Hutchison
Boca Raton,FL
Summary
Business-trained, entrepreneurial-minded development professional with five years of experience cultivating high-value relationships across higher education and advancing mission-critical initiatives. Brings a unique blend of sales intuition, storytelling, and higher-ed operational knowledge, ready to transition into a Business Development Representative role driving growth and adoption in the EdTech world with EdSights.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Major Gifts Officer, Office of Advancement
Palm Beach Atlantic University
11.2023 - Current
- Manage a portfolio of 130 prospective donors, businesses, and organizations; conduct high-quality visits, attend social events, solicit gifts, steward relationships, and represent the university across South Florida’s philanthropic community.
- Cultivate long-term, trust-based relationships with alumni, families, community leaders, and business partners by serving as a strategic liaison between constituents and university leadership.
- Advance university priorities by identifying donor passions, aligning them with institutional needs, and facilitating meaningful engagement opportunities that deepen loyalty and strengthen community involvement.
- Secured major philanthropic support through 190+ donor visits across FY23–24 and FY24–25, resulting in $650,000+ in cash gifts, pledges, and commitments.
Director of Development
Fort Hays State University Foundation
05.2021 - 10.2023
- Built and stewarded deep relationships with alumni, trustees, community leaders, and corporate partners, serving as a strategic connector between donor interests and university priorities.
- Collaborated closely with academic leadership to identify funding needs, align donor passions with strategic initiatives, and create meaningful engagement opportunities that strengthened long-term philanthropic commitment.
- Managed a portfolio of 125 major gift prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts that advanced key institutional priorities, including the launch of the university’s new community banking institute.
- Conducted 150+ donor visits and 40+ strategic solicitations across FY21–23, securing 20 major gifts and more than $250,000 in cash and deferred commitments.
Academic Advisor, Teacher Education Department
Fort Hays State University
07.2019 - 05.2021
- Delivered individualized academic advising to a caseload of 400 undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them through course selection, enrollment planning, degree progress, licensure pathways, and university policies.
- Leveraged multiple student information systems and institutional databases to analyze academic records, monitor progress toward graduation, identify risks, and recommend timely interventions.
- Collaborated with faculty, program coordinators, and student services to ensure seamless support for on-campus and virtual students across diverse education programs.
Education
B.B.A. - Management
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS01.2019
Skills
- 2x FHSU Faulkner Entrepreneurship Challenge Champion 2017, 2019
- Kansas Collegiate Case Competition Fall 2018 Runner-Up
- Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization National Best Chapter Leader Finalist 2018
- FHSU Presidential VIP Ambassador and Robbins College of Business Ambassador 2018-19
- Texas Christian University 2019 Values and Ventures Challenge Top 15
- Association for Entrepreneurship USA Student Award Recipient 2019
Timeline
Major Gifts Officer, Office of Advancement
Palm Beach Atlantic University
11.2023 - Current
Director of Development
Fort Hays State University Foundation
05.2021 - 10.2023
Academic Advisor, Teacher Education Department
Fort Hays State University
07.2019 - 05.2021
B.B.A. - Management
Fort Hays State University