Tom Baird

Tom Baird has responsibility for all fundraising and development activities across the university. This includes leading the central Office of University Development as well as oversight of more than 30 U-M fundraising units, including Michigan Medicine, UM-Flint and UM-Dearborn.

A 1983 U-M alumnus with 23 years of experience in higher education philanthropy, he focuses intently on organizational leadership, creating a positive work culture and developing trusted relationships. He most recently spent three years as assistant dean for advancement at the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, helping the 85-person team raise more than $544 million, or 136 percent of LSA’s Victors for Michigan campaign goal.

Before his service to LSA, he was the assistant vice president and campaign director for the Victors for Michigan campaign, which ultimately raised more than $5 billion. He served as vice chancellor for advancement for UM-Dearborn from 2003-11, assistant vice president and Victors for Michigan campaign director from 2011-15, and the interim associate vice president of development for Michigan Medicine during a time of transition in 2015. Earlier he served as interim assistant dean of development for LSA.

Prior to his career in university fundraising, he worked in the financial services and airline industries. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from U-M and a master’s degree in human resources education from Boston University.