The CMO and Vice President of Marketing and Communication is bec rollins, while Beth Kramer will serve as Vice President of Advancement and CDO.
Simmons University is pleased to announce that after two comprehensive search processes, it has selected a new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Development Officer (CDO) to join its senior leadership team. The CMO and Vice President of Marketing and Communication is bec rollins, while Beth Kramer will serve as Vice President of Advancement and CDO.
rollins is an accomplished visual journalist and communications professional who has significant experience leading major organizational communications efforts in the fields of higher education and global health. Most recently she served as the Chief Global Communications Officer at Pathfinder International, where she developed a cohesive strategic brand identity across all platforms, including digital media, donor communications, media relations, and more. Prior to that, rollins was Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Appalachian Mountain Club and the Chief Communications Officer for Partners in Health. She also spent more than a decade with Harvard University, where she served as senior multimedia producer and associate news director.
In this role at Simmons, rollins will lead the Marketing and Communications team and build a distinctive brand platform that effectively communicates Simmons’ value and elevates the University’s profile with key audiences. In addition, rollins will work with stakeholders across the institution, and serve as a key thought partner to support student recruitment and enrollment goals. rollins has a passion for Simmons and her strategic and innovative approach to marketing and communications will greatly benefit the institution.
She currently resides in Boston and is a graduate of Smith College.
“I’m excited to join the Simmons community and am looking forward to discovering ways we’ll work together to increase engagement with the University at all levels,” says rollins. “I look forward to seeing you all on campus!"
In addition, Beth Kramer will serve as Vice President of Advancement. Kramer is a strategic fundraising executive with more than 25 years of development experience at well-known institutions throughout Boston. She has led capital campaigns and secured high profile gifts to endow fellowships, transform academic spaces, and build research centers. Most recently, Kramer served as the Vice President for Advancement at Olin College of Engineering and played a key role in helping that institution strengthen its annual giving program and design funding opportunities to motivate donor engagement. Prior to that, Kramer was the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where she secured the School’s second largest gift in history to create a new research center.
In this role at Simmons, Kramer will oversee the Advancement team and continue to build a comprehensive Advancement program that effectively engages alumnae/i and identifies and inspires donors at all levels. Kramer understands the vital role that a strong advancement program plays in helping Simmons engage key audiences and achieve its strategic priorities. Her passion for higher education and data-driven approach will be a major asset, and she will help create new strategic opportunities that will motivate key stakeholders to invest in the future of our University.
Kramer currently resides in Needham and is a graduate of Ohio Northern University.
“I am thrilled to be joining Simmons University, an institution working to advance the important goals of women’s leadership, education and empowerment, and service to society. As Vice President for Advancement, I look forward to engaging with alumnae/i, potential donors, and other key stakeholders who are in a position to support Simmons’ transformative mission.”
Kramer will begin her new role on November 1, and rollins on November 15, 2021.