Head of School John Austin is pleased to announce that Charles “Chuck” Ramsay, Deerfield Class of 1988, has accepted his offer to become Deerfield’s next Chief Advancement Officer, effective November 7, 2022. Chuck will bring over 27 years of experience in the advancement profession to his work at Deerfield and, as a proud graduate, a deep knowledge and understanding of the Academy. “I cannot think of a better person to succeed Ann Romberger and lead Deerfield’s talented and dedicated Advancement team,” Dr. Austin said.
Highlights of Chuck’s extensive career include the key role he played in Phillips Exeter’s $305 million campaign—The Exeter Initiatives—and his work at Mount Holyoke as the college’s director of leadership gifts, where he helped lead and complete the college’s $300 million campaign during a time of economic downturn. In his final years at Mount Holyoke, Chuck transitioned to director of principal gifts and international advancement. In 2016, Exeter asked him to return to serve as director of principal and major gifts.
A native of the Pioneer Valley, Chuck grew up in Amherst and entered Deerfield in 1985 as a tenth grader. He says his Deerfield Experience developed a confidence that has served him well in all aspects of his life. After Deerfield, Chuck attended Hobart College in Geneva, NY, and received a BA in Political Science. Following graduation from Hobart, Chuck remained there, taking on his first role in advancement as an annual fund officer and later as a major gift officer during the college’s $75 million campaign in the early 1990s. Chuck will be joined at Deerfield by his fiancée, Sarah Mullins, and the four children they have between them: Rupert, Annabel, Peyton, and JP. He notes that they also have a dog: Edelman.
At this time, Dr. Austin also recognizes Ann Romberger’s dedicated service to the Academy, including her patience during these last months as a search for her successor was completed. Ann is retiring after 16 years at the Academy and 39 years in education. Under Ann’s leadership, Deerfield’s Office of Advancement has achieved great success, including completing the Imagine Deerfield campaign and fundraising records in the last three years. She has undoubtedly built and led an advancement team that is among the best in secondary school education today.
Please join Dr. Austin in thanking Ann for her service to Deerfield, and in welcoming Chuck to the Office of Advancement and back to the Academy!