The Lundquist Institute has named Meredith Johnston as its new Chief Development Officer (CDO). She joins the Institute’s Executive Leadership Team and reports to President and Chief Executive Officer Joe W. Ramos, PhD.
Johnston brings more than 20 years of executive leadership in philanthropy, having built and led comprehensive development programs for nationally recognized healthcare, biomedical research, and academic institutions, including Scripps Research and, most recently, Family Health Centers of San Diego. Across her career she has partnered closely with scientific leaders, chief executives, and boards of directors to translate complex research into compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment, securing transformational gifts and building high-performing development teams.
“As we implement our new strategic plan and look toward the future, growing philanthropy is essential to realizing our ambitions for The Lundquist Institute,” said Dr. Ramos. “Fundraising is a team sport, and Meredith understands how to bring investigators, leadership, board members and donors together around the extraordinary science happening here. I was especially impressed by her track record of building strong teams and collaborative partnerships in her previous roles and I’m very excited to have her leading this work here at The Lundquist Institute.”
As CDO, Johnston will lead efforts to expand philanthropic partnerships, strengthen relationships with existing supporters, and cultivate new individual, corporate, and foundation investment. She will work across the Institute to ensure philanthropy helps fuel scientific discovery, translation, and community impact, priorities that reflect the vision established by the Board of Directors for the role.
In the months ahead, Johnston will be building relationships with individual supporters, foundations, and corporate partners across Southern California and nationally, connecting them to the discoveries taking shape at the Institute.