Mark Antonucci has been named CEO and vice president for advancement at the University of Rhode Island Foundation & Alumni Engagement, according to a March 25 news release.
He will start in April, a spokesperson for the Kingston, R.I.-based university said in an email.
Antonucci will be responsible for generating philanthropic support, providing alumni engagement opportunities as well as managing the university’s $237 million endowment. He will manage the funds that make up the endowment alongside foundation staffers, the university’s board of directors and a volunteer-run investment committee, the spokesperson noted.
He will also serve as a member of the senior leadership team, which oversees the higher education institution’s strategic priorities and reports to University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark into this pivotal role,” Parlange said in the release. “We have momentum, and our success is deeply rooted in the strength of our alumni, friends and supporters. We have so much more ahead of us — and we’re confident that Mark will help lead the way,” he added.
While the leadership position is not new, the university spokesperson noted in an email that the titled changed to CEO from president. Antonucci will succeed former foundation President Lil Breule O’Rourke, who retired at the end of 2024 following an eight-year tenure.
Antonucci has served as senior vice president for advancement and strategy at the Rutgers University Foundation. The organization — which also manages the endowment for the New Brunswick, N.J.-based land-grant university — had $147 million in assets for the 2023 fiscal year ended June 30.
A spokesperson for Rutgers could not be immediately reached for comment.
Antonucci has also worked as vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff at the now-$1.6 billion Arizona State University Foundation in Tempe, Ariz.
The University of Rhode Island Foundation had a net annualized return of 12.2% for the 2024 fiscal year ended June 30. Its asset allocation was 29.6% to U.S. equity, 17.8% to marketable alternatives, 12.7% to global ex-U.S. equity, 12.4% to private investments, 12.2% to fixed income and cash, 10.7% to global equity and 4.6% to emerging markets equity.
