Christa Shields Named Vice President of Advancement at Alverno

Christa Shields has been named vice president of Advancement at Alverno College after a nation-wide search, President Andrea Lee, IHM, announced. She will assume the role on October 21.

Shields, who has extensive fundraising experience, will lead the college’s campaign efforts and oversee the advancement and alumnae engagement staff and operations.

“Christa possesses exceptional relational skills, an interest in mentoring staff, a passionate commitment to the organizations she serves and a deep desire to be a part of Alverno,” said Lee. “I am thrilled to welcome her and look forward to engaging her in the good work we’re doing.”

“I am beyond grateful to Sister Andrea for inviting me to join the team of trailblazers and game changers at Alverno,” said Shields. “Transforming lives through education inspires me, and will guide my work every single day. I am excited to hit the ground running.”

Shields currently serves as vice president for development for Special Olympics Wisconsin, where she successfully raised more than $5.3 million over the last two years. From 2015-19 she served as senior director of development at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, where she successfully completed a $13.5 million campaign for scholarships, facility upgrades, annual fund support and endowment growth. Prior to that she served in a number of advancement, alumni and parent relations roles for organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of Great Milwaukee and Cardinal Stritch University. Shields also founded and ran Family Daycare, a highly successful childcare business on Milwaukee’s north shore.

Shields earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication and a Master of Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University.

About Alverno College

Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business are open to women and men.

A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.

Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.