An NSU double alumnus and a member of the university’s staff since 1997, Efraim Hernandez, MBA, has spearheaded the advancement services and operations office for the last 16 years. As the assistant vice president of Advancement Services and Operations, Hernandez’s areas of oversight include data and technology, donor and community engagement, gift processing and administration, prospect development, finance, and human resources management. Under his leadership, the department assisted the university in successfully completing its first and second comprehensive fundraising campaigns early and above their targeted goals. Hernandez is also an active advocate for the advancement services profession and currently serves as treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals.
Donor Connection (DC): What do you love about your position?
Efraim Hernandez (EH): Being able to help. We’re not raising money for ourselves—we’re doing it for our students and the betterment of society. I also enjoy being part of an organization that champions innovation and actively backs new initiatives to continue to improve the donor experience and boost constituent engagement. This allows my team and me to better support fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship efforts.
DC: What motivates you to come to work?
EH: My Team! I work with a great group of professionals and knowing that what we can do together helps make a difference in the lives of others. We help students attend school through scholarships, help the community through the many services NSU offers, and assist in raising funds and awareness on impactful, groundbreaking and life-changing research.
DC: What is one moment or one initiative that made you most proud to work at NSU?
EH: Reflecting back as to where we were back when I started in 1997 to where we are now, it’s day and night. The university has grown so much both in its physical footprint, programs, and student population. It’s hard to pinpoint one thing, so I would say it is a collection of moments—from being able to progressively grow within the university in multiple different departments for the past 28 years into my current role. Another personal highlight is meeting my wife at NSU.
DC: If you could instantly be an expert in any field, what would it be?
EH: Artificial Intelligence (AI). At first there was a fear of AI taking everyone’s job. But in the fundraising world, you still need people—AI isn’t going to build relationships with people to ask people for money or manage an endowment that aligns with their personal values. But we can utilize AI to be helpful as it becomes more preeminent in our lives, not only professionally, but personally as well. I am actively learning on how we can integrate AI in our professional work to better the experience for our donors, students, and alumni while still being cautious on its economic and environmental impact.
DC: What’s a donor event idea you’ve always wanted to try?
EH: Getting students together with donors in an informal setting where there’s more of a genuine conversation than at a gala or large event. It would be great if we could get our donors and students to have a personal lunch that would create an environment where the donors can ask the students about their studies and passion. The students can ask questions about the donor’s path. Who knows maybe this would lead to a mentor/mentee relationship if done well? We have so many donors who are rock stars in their fields and are so willing to help. I also think it would be nice for our donors who are funding research projects to have a chance to meet with the Principal Investigator to learn about the progress and see what their dollars are contributing to.
DC: What does philanthropy mean to you?
EH: It means being able to unselfishly assist others, whether it’s done by donating your time, talent, or treasures. It means putting others above yourself and doing something for the betterment of everyone.