NEW YORK, N.Y.—August 1, 2018—The Board of Directors of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science has unanimously elected David Doneson to be the organization’s next CEO, effective September 4, 2018. Mr. Doneson will succeed Marshall S. Levin, who has served as CEO since 2008.
In making the announcement, Ellen Merlo, National Chair of the American Committee, said, “Dave Doneson is a dynamic leader with a notable record of accomplishments in the field of financial resource development, specifically for academic and research institutions. He is passionate about the Weizmann Institute’s mission of science for the benefit of humanity. His outstanding professional talents and collaborative approach to management make him uniquely suited and the ideal choice to lead the American Committee.”
The American Committee develops philanthropic support in the U.S. for the Weizmann Institute of Science, one of the world’s leading research institutions and graduate schools, based in Rehovot, Israel. The Committee’s headquarters are in New York City, with offices located in major regions across the U.S. Marshall S. Levin has served as CEO for the past decade and has overseen the organization’s increasingly successful fundraising strategies; he will retire at the end of 2018.
Mr. Doneson, a senior fundraising professional, was most recently Chief Development Officer of the American Technion Society (ATS). Prior to joining ATS, he served as Director of Development for the University of Michigan Health System, where he managed teams dedicated to major gifts fundraising. Mr. Doneson served in many roles during his six years at the University of Michigan, including directing alumni relations and major gifts.
Mr. Doneson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with Distinction from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He attended Yale University, during which time he took a leave of absence to live in Israel, and previously attended the Phillips Academy. Mr. Doneson served as a lone soldier in the Israel Defense Forces as a Sergeant, Armor Corps.
“I am excited, grateful, and deeply honored to be joining the American Committee as CEO at this eventful time in the organization’s history, as next year marks 75 years since its founding,” said Mr. Doneson. “The Weizmann Institute exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in science research and education, and the American Committee exemplifies the same in philanthropy. I also feel especially privileged to represent one of Israel’s greatest treasures, and to be part of a humanitarian enterprise that benefits the world in so many ways through its research.”
David Doneson was selected following an extensive nationwide search process led by a diverse committee composed of nine members of the Board of Directors, chaired by Ellen Merlo, and assisted by DRG Search, a distinguished executive recruiting firm.
David Teplow, President of the American Committee, said, “I am delighted to welcome Dave to the Weizmann Institute family. I look forward to working closely with him on building upon our historic accomplishments as we strive to increase funding for the Institute, and strengthening bonds between our supporters and scientists.”
Since its founding in 1944, the American Committee has provided more than $2.5 billion in support of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The Committee is currently engaged in Transforming Tomorrow: Accelerate the Next 75 Years of Scientific Breakthroughs, a three-year special fundraising campaign marking the organization’s 75th anniversary.
