News

Jennifer Caputo Named to University Advancement Leadership Post

September 5, 2019

Jennifer Caputo has been appointed executive director of Alumni Engagement within Princeton University Advancement. 

Jennifer Caputo

“Jen has demonstrated exemplary leadership and creativity in our work with Princeton alumni, and I am delighted she will be applying her considerable talents as executive director,” said Alexandra Day ’02, deputy vice president for Alumni Engagement. “Her commitment to Princeton’s mission and wealth of experience make her uniquely equipped to lead our efforts in supporting and connecting the University’s global community of alumni and friends.”

Led by Day, the broader Alumni Engagement team is now organized into three departments: Advancement Communications, Alumni Communities and Advancement Events.

“Princeton is blessed with an extraordinary community of more than 94,000 loyal alumni, and our Alumni Engagement team is devoted to informing, involving and inspiring alumni to strengthen their bonds with the University and each other,” said Kevin Heaney, vice president for Advancement.

Caputo has worked at Princeton for more than seven years in roles of progressive responsibility. Previously she served as interim deputy vice president for alumni affairs, director of operations, senior associate director for graduate alumni relations and associate director for regional affairs. Before joining the University, she held a variety of roles at Major League Baseball in New York City, including vice president of human resources for MLB’s advanced media division.

“I’m thrilled to be working alongside so many dedicated colleagues and volunteers who help our alumni connect with one another and the University, and I am excited to have this opportunity to engage those alumni in new and meaningful ways,” said Caputo, who will oversee the Alumni Communities and Advancement Events departments, and report to Day.

Mibs Southerland, previously senior associate director for class affairs and Reunions, has been appointed to the new role of director of Alumni Communities, leading a spectrum of alumni engagement activities. 

Jackie Kuhnert, previously director of Development Events, assumes the title of director of Advancement Events, overseeing the wide range of alumni and development events produced each year.

Erika Knudson assumes the title of director of Advancement Communication, overseeing the development of a dynamic and comprehensive communications strategy, and will report to Day.

“This integrated, three-department structure concentrates talent and areas of expertise in a way that allows us to robustly support Princeton’s strategic priorities and the lifelong advocacy of our alumni, parents and friends,” said Heaney.