Brittany Kicklighter named director of development for athletics major gifts
By Bill Studenc
Western Carolina University has announced the appointment of Brittany Kicklighter as the new director of development for athletics major gifts.
In this role, which is effective April 1, Kicklighter will lead major gift fundraising efforts in support of the WCU Athletics Program, working closely with donors, alumni and university leadership to enhance facilities, scholarships and student-athlete experiences. She will report to Wes Cogdill, WCU’s associate athletics director for development and director of the Catamount Club.
With more than 15 years of experience in athletics fundraising, donor engagement and campaign strategy, Kicklighter brings a proven track record of securing major gifts and building strong donor pipelines, Cogdill said.
Prior to joining WCU, she served as senior director of philanthropy at Dream On 3, where she led fundraising strategies for a national nonprofit supporting collegiate athletics programs. Her experience also includes development positions at UNC Charlotte, where she played a pivotal role in securing philanthropic support for athletics and university-wide initiatives and managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio.
Kicklighter, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), holds a bachelor’s degree in sport and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina. A member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, she has a deep passion for collegiate athletics and the transformative impact of philanthropy on student-athletes and their success, Cogdill said.
“Brittany’s expertise in major gift fundraising and her ability to connect donors’ passions with institutional priorities make her an incredible asset to our team and to our student-athletes,” he said. “Brittany brings tremendous leadership experience to our team, which will be important as we navigate the changing landscape of collegiate athletics. I am thrilled to welcome her to WCU.”
Kicklighter joins WCU at a pivotal time as the university continues its “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million in philanthropic support for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs.
