Read about his goals and find out what’s on his desk in the latest issue of “CATALYST” magazine.
Greg Bowden was inspired to join the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) as chief philanthropy officer and vice president because the University’s mission of elevating the human condition resonates deeply with him.
“I am at a point in my career where it is important to me to have an impact on Baltimore and the region and bring together the ideas I have seen work well over 25-plus years in philanthropy,” Bowden said.
He pointed to UMB’s “Proud to Work Here, Proud to Give Here” fundraising campaign as a way for University faculty and staff to get involved or contribute to philanthropic efforts.
“We can be a community that recognizes, supports, and values everyone, which is the heart of philanthropy,” he said.
Bowden joined UMB in December 2023 after serving as associate dean for development and alumni relations at the John Hopkins University (JHU) Carey Business School. At JHU, he led the strategy and vision for all development and alumni relations activities, resulting in more than $60 million over seven years. Before that, he was senior director for development at JHU’s Berman Institute for Bioethics and had served as director of development for the Greenwood (S.C.) Genetic Center and executive director of the South Carolina Birth Defects Foundation.
Bowden graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and has a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from JHU.
CATALYST magazine sat down with Bowden to learn more about his plans at UMB and to get to know him better. You also can read more about Bowden in our “What’s On Your Desk?” feature.
What are your goals for UMB’s philanthropic initiatives in the next six months? Five years?
First, I want to understand how we think about philanthropy and integrate it into our mission. I am focused on a number of strategic questions, such as how we interact best with the University of Maryland Medical Center and the University System of Maryland. We are also looking at some important additions to the philanthropy team. The next several years will likely see our next comprehensive campaign, which will significantly influence how our ability to deliver our mission grows.
Read more of the Q&A with Bowden here and find out What's on His Desk? here.
You can read the Spring 2024 issue of CATALYST magazine, which highlights UMB's new “Climate Change, Health, and Society” elective; innovations such as the School of Dentistry's Division of Artificial Intelligence Research; Carin Cardella, public information officer for UMB Police and Public Safety who has answered the call during state emergencies; the Francis King Carey School of Law celebrating 200 years; new Health Sciences and Human Services Library Dean Emily Hurst; Fahren Nipple, autopsy assistant for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and assistant program director for the Master of Science in Forensic Medicine at the Graduate School; and much, much more!