New Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Joins the Law School
Ryan Cairns, Previously with The New York Public Library, Will Lead All Aspects of Fundraising and Alumni Relations
New York, May 13, 2016—Columbia Law School announced today that it has appointed Ryan Cairns as Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. Cairns will lead all aspects of fundraising and alumni relations for the school—which has more than 20,000 alumni globally—reporting to Gillian Lester, Dean and the Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law.
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| New Columbia Law School Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Ryan Cairns will lead all aspects of fundraising and alumni relations for the school, which has more than 20,000 alumni globally. |
Cairns joins the Law School from the New York Public Library, where he served as vice president for development, overseeing the library’s extensive private fundraising efforts for foundations, corporations, special events, planned giving, membership, and individual giving. He joined the library in 2009 as director of individual giving and played a leadership role in the library’s $500 million campaign.
“I am delighted that Ryan has joined the Law School’s senior leadership team,” said Dean Lester, who oversaw the national search for the position. “Ryan is an accomplished and experienced fundraiser with a track record of success, and his experience, talent, and drive will benefit the Law School enormously.”
In his new role, Cairns will be responsible for formulating and executing strategy in the areas of development, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, and donor relations. In close collaboration with Dean Lester—and the senior Development and Alumni Relations staff—he will develop and implement a variety of campaigns and alumni outreach strategies for the Law School.
“I am thrilled and honored to be joining Columbia Law School, a truly iconic institution,” Cairns said. “I look forward to working with the Law School’s incredibly talented leadership team to help take our fundraising to the next level and to build even stronger ties with alumni and donors worldwide.”
A 20-year veteran of development, Cairns began his career in the Office of Alumni Affairs at Johns Hopkins University, where he also earned his B.A. in public health and social science. Prior to joining the New York Public Library, he spent six years at the American Red Cross, serving as director of financial development and director of major gifts for the Greater Palm Beach and Greater New York Chapters.