Lance Wilkerson
Holland
Summary
Strategic healthcare philanthropy executive with a demonstrated record of driving multi-million-dollar revenue growth, building high-performing teams, and aligning fundraising strategy with system-wide organizational priorities. Trusted advisor to executive leadership with expertise in major gift cultivation, service line differentiation, and enterprise-level growth initiatives. Skilled at translating vision into fully funded outcomes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Donor Relations
ProMedica Foundation
Toledo
12.2024 - Current
- Recruited into a newly created role to build and lead major gift strategy across three metropolitan hospitals, aligning philanthropic growth with system-wide priorities.
- Entrusted by the ProMedica Chief Acute Care Officer/President to design a forward-looking Behavioral Health vision plan with clear market differentiators to secure a $2M single-donor gift.
- Strategically cultivated a retired Toledo Clinic physician, resulting in a $200,000 single-payment gift that completely funded the Medical Education Center at ProMedica Flower Hospital.
- Represent ProMedica and the ProMedica Foundation in high-visibility public forums, strengthening community partnerships and philanthropic engagement across Northwest Ohio.
Executive Director
Deaconess Foundation
Evansville
01.2022 - 11.2024
- Led a team of seven foundation professionals, overseeing hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
- Transformed the Deaconess Foundation from event-focused programming into a strategic fundraising organization within two years.
- Increased annual fundraising from $1.1M in FY22 to $2.0M+ in FY23.
- Redesigned and relaunched the employee giving campaign, increasing contributions from $106,828 to $287,198.
- Reengineered the President’s Society annual giving program, adding three new tiers to increase donor revenue.
- Developed and executed a philanthropic strategy for Deaconess Hospice by commissioning a community-based outdoor art installation, generating $350,000 in gifts.
- Established and led a community-influential Board of Directors, leveraging prominent Evansville leaders to drive philanthropic growth and event sponsorship success.
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Deaconess
Evansville
06.2019 - 01.2022
- Established video department, enhancing internal and external communications.
- Produced over 150 videos in 2021 across various service lines to drive business growth and public education.
- Gained national media recognition for select videos, elevating Deaconess brand visibility.
- Developed Facebook Live production enabling leadership communication during COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior Assoc. AD of Development & External Ops
University of Evansville
Evansville
11.2010 - 05.2019
- Raised $7.9M in private philanthropy (2011–2019).
- Led a $3.7M campaign to fund a new men’s and women’s basketball practice facility.
- Increased annual athletic fundraising from $650,371 to $1.33M.
- Surpassed $1M in annual athletic fundraising for six consecutive years (2014-19).
- Streamlined annual fundraising campaigns for all 18 sports, incorporating direct mail and unique URLs for online giving.
- Established Men’s Basketball Blue-Ribbon Committee of influential business leaders to enhance fundraising, branding, and ticket sales.
- Boosted men’s basketball attendance by 40% through eight-month integrated marketing campaign.
- Managed a team of 11 professionals in external operations.
Sports Director
WEHT-TV (ABC)
Evansville
08.1993 - 01.2010
- Directed a four-person sports department and production team.
- Created the award-winning “Home Team Friday” brand, driving ratings and sponsorship revenue.
- Produced and anchored nightly local sportscasts and 30-minute sports programming.
- Managed a team of four employees in the sports department and coordinated with the production crew.
- Acted as the organization's spokesperson during media appearances and delivered speeches at regional events.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Telecommunications with emphasis on television and history
Ball State University
Muncie, INMuncie, IN
Skills
- Development/Fundraising
- Relationship Building
- Executive Engagement
- Crisis Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Revenue Expansion
- Enterprise Growth
- Market Analysis
- Brand Strategy
- Public Speaking
- Enterprising
Websites
Community Service
- Jake & Cooper’s Bark Park for Behavioral Health in Toledo, Board Member
- For Better Health – Vanderburgh County Heath Board, Board Member
- Purple Aces Club Board of Directors, Chairperson
- Evansville Youth Hockey Association, Board Member as Travel Representative
- Newburgh Junior Baseball, Board Member as Director of Communications and Fall Ball President
Timeline
Director of Donor Relations
ProMedica Foundation
12.2024 - Current
Executive Director
Deaconess Foundation
01.2022 - 11.2024
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Deaconess
06.2019 - 01.2022
Senior Assoc. AD of Development & External Ops
University of Evansville
11.2010 - 05.2019
Sports Director
WEHT-TV (ABC)
08.1993 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Telecommunications with emphasis on television and history
Ball State University