The SIU Foundation is pleased to announce that Debbie Immel has joined the organization as Director of Development for the College of Health and Human Sciences, where she will work alongside Steph Taylor and Hannah Arnold, with a special focus on the Community Care and Education Center.
Immel brings more than 17 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Before entering the fundraising field, she spent 15 years in sales and marketing for major clothing manufacturers. Her nonprofit career began as a volunteer grant writer for the American Red Cross, where she advanced to Chief Development Officer, managing teams of up to 25 fundraisers.
Throughout her career, Immel has built sustainable major gift programs, engaged boards, and led award-winning teams that collectively raised more than $165 million for causes including disaster relief, blood collections, military support, workforce development, education, and youth homelessness. Most recently, she worked as a philanthropy consultant, sharing her expertise with nonprofits seeking to make a lasting impact.
Immel earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Texas and holds a certificate in Fundraising Campaigns from Capital to Comprehensive from the Indiana University School of Philanthropy. She is also a graduate of the Grantsmanship Center and Leadership Austin. Outside of work, she is a mosaic artist and has served on the board of the Society of American Mosaic Artists.
For more information about the SIU Foundation and its initiatives, visit siuf.org.