May

New faces in University Advancement

Brett Befus and Megan Conklin join senior leadership team for development; corporate and foundation relations.

By Jamie Hurst and Cory Phare

May 9, 2018

There are a couple of new Roadrunners in University Advancement who’ll ensure that Metropolitan State University of Denver – along with the surrounding community – has a long and prosperous road ahead for miles to come.

“In the true spirit of MSU Denver, we see ourselves as fully engaged in the community,” said Marilee Utter, president of Citiventure Associates and chair of the MSU Denver Foundation board. “In addition to raising resources for the University, our new hires support the board’s priority to be full partners in outreach.

“They’re both excellent listeners who take the time to understand what supporters of MSU Denver are looking for; they will be a great fit for the team.”

Associate Vice President for Development – Brett Befus

Befus will be a member of the Advancement senior leadership team, providing strategy, vision and management to the gift officers. He will also carry a donor portfolio and will be responsible for securing major gifts for the university.

He joins MSU Denver after six years with the University of Wyoming, where he most recently served as the director of principal gifts. Befus has a juris doctorate and will start at MSU Denver on May 15 

“He’s got great experience leading teams through large gifts and will be a key part of future capital campaigns,” Utter said.

Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations – Megan Conklin

Conklin is a member of the Advancement senior leadership team, providing strategy to cultivate relationships with and secure funding from foundations and corporations. She will work directly with academic leaders to identify organizations with aligned interests, engage with them and develop proposals for funding.

She joins MSU Denver from the University of Denver, where she served in a similar capacity as the director of development for foundation relations. Conklin has more than 12 years’ experience in development and started at MSU Denver on May 1.

“We look at how the University reaches out to the business community; given our public-private partnerships and foundation relationships, this is a critical role,” Utter said. “We’re looking forward to Conklin bringing her expertise and connections to build these individual and organizational connections.”