About

Greg Willems currently serves as the president and CEO of the Kansas State University (KSU) Foundation, beginning his service in February 2015. He has a proven record of building cultures of excellence in foundations and university fundraising organizations and has expertise in board governance, investment management, fiscal and operations management, strategic planning, fundraising campaigns, communications, marketing, and branding.

The KSU Foundation has $1.75 billion in total assets, employs 150 staff, raises an average of $238 million a year, manages investments for a $1.1 billion+ endowment, operates a real estate asset and development enterprise of more than $230 million, and recently completed a record setting $1.6 billion campaign. The KSU Foundation has become a recognized leader in enterprise culture, board governance excellence, progressive advancement techniques, data science and technology use, and higher impact practice for donor engagement and experience. The Foundation has led the transition from episodic institutional campaigns to mini-sprint efforts and a perpetual campaign approach that transcends the constraints of time and limited focus.

Willems currently serves as chair of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) National Committee on College & University Foundations, on the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Council of Foundation Leaders, and on AGB’s Trusteeship magazine Editorial Advisory Board as a consulting editor. He is a frequent speaker and contributor on topic sessions at CASE and AGB annual meetings, panels, and thought leadership engagements.

Prior to the KSU Foundation, Willems served as the vice president for development at the University of Hawaii Foundation, executive director of development at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, and senior director of development for the Texas A&M Foundation.

Professional Credentials

Greg Willems received his BBA in Management from Texas A&M University.