Brian Thomas

Brian joined VCU in 2005 as vice president for the School of Engineering Foundation before joining the MCV Foundation staff in 2009 as senior executive director of development. He was promoted to vice president and chief development officer of the MCV Foundation in December 2015. Brian has more than 32 years of fundraising experience and has served in leadership positions in national organizations, including CASE and the ABA Section for Institutional Advancement. During his career, Brian has worked for Hampden-Sydney College, the University of Richmond, Stetson University College of Law and Vanderbilt University. 

The recipient of the 2023 Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives Nina Abady Award and the 2020 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III Distinguished Service Award, Thomas is an expert in fundraising and donor stewardship. In his time at the MCV Foundation, he has worked with campus partners and their donors to secure principal, major and planned gifts for the benefit of VCU’s MCV Campus, including its six health sciences schools, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, VCU Medical Center and other centers and programs. 

He has served on or led countless search committees for lead development officers, gift officers, academic deans and many other vital positions in his years at VCU and the MCV Foundation. He has served as interim lead development officer for the schools of Nursing and Dentistry.

He earned his M.B.A. from the University of Richmond and his B.A. in economics from Hampden-Sydney College.