(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is pleased to announce that Robert Saarnio has joined the development team as the major gifts officer for the College of Engineering at UH Mānoa. Robert will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of private philanthropic major gifts to the College.
Robert comes to the UH Foundation with extensive fundraising and development experience. A native of Northern Minnesota, Robert began his career while serving as curator of architecture at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. Since then, he has held a number of leadership positions in the museum field including serving as the director of museums and curator of university collections at Johns Hopkins University.
In 2006 he was appointed associate director and historic property
manager of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Shangri La estate and museum in Honolulu. In June 2008 he assumed the position of deputy director of the Honolulu Academy of Arts where he collaborated with the director, board and senior management team in all aspects of museum operation, finance and planning. Since spring 2010 he has served in a special projects capacity for the dean of the School of Architecture, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and as consulting executive advisor to Washington Place Foundation. Robert received his A.B. degree in fine arts / architectural history from Harvard University and his M.S. in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.
FOR UH • FOR HAWAIʻI, The Campaign for the University of Hawaiʻi, is focused on raising $1 billion to support UH priorities on all 10 campuses across the state, including student success; research that matters; kuleana to Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi; sustainability, resilience and conservation; innovation and entrepreneurship; building Hawaiʻi’s workforce; and engaging our community. Learn more at uhfoundation.org/4UH4HI
Questions? / More Information
If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808-956-8700 or send us a message.
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The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. Our mission is to unite our donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.uhfoundation.org.
