Vanessa White
Vice Dean, Development and Alumni Relations
Vanessa White joined Penn Engineering as Vice Dean of Development and Alumni Relations in March 2025, bringing to the School over two decades of leadership in advancement, nonprofit strategy and stakeholder engagement. Throughout her career, White has earned a reputation for forging meaningful relationships with alumni, philanthropic partners and institutional leaders, with a strong emphasis on aligning community values with bold, mission-driven goals.
Before coming to Penn Engineering, White was most recently the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Prior to that, she held positions at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Penn Medicine.
White holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from Penn State University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Rhode Island.
What drew you to Penn Engineering, and what excites you most about joining this community?
Penn Engineering is at the center of discovery and real-world impact. Engineering shapes how every part of our world works, and what excites me most is helping our faculty and students lead that change by connecting them with resources and the supporters who make bold ideas possible.
What inspires your work, and what do you hope our alumni and donors take away from working with you?
I’m inspired by the chance to work with people who are constantly pushing boundaries. I hope our partners feel a true sense of shared purpose and can see how their generosity directly fuels discovery, empowers students and strengthens Penn Engineering’s impact far beyond campus.
What have been your priorities during your first months as Vice Dean?
My first months have been all about listening and learning: from my team, from Dean Kumar and his leadership group, and from alumni and friends of the School. These conversations have helped me understand where we can make the biggest difference. Looking ahead, we’re focused on sharing those opportunities and building the support that will define Penn Engineering’s future.
How do you see the role of alumni in shaping the future of Penn Engineering?
Our alumni play an essential role in guiding Penn Engineering’s future. They are mentors, collaborators and advocates who help us navigate both the challenges and opportunities of the engineering world. Alumni also carry the School’s history and culture forward, providing perspectives that keep our community grounded even as we innovate.
How will philanthropy advance Penn Engineering’s strategic vision and initiatives in the coming years?
Philanthropy is a vital tool to power leading-edge research, open doors for students through scholarships and hands-on experiences, and create the spaces where innovation happens. With so much uncertainty in the funding space, philanthropy will help us move quickly and purposefully, safeguarding Penn Engineering’s leadership role in discovery and impact.