“Sue and Heather have an incredible wealth of knowledge about higher education, fundraising, and the deep connection that Princetonians have with their alma mater,” said Kevin J. Heaney, vice president for advancement. “Both are gifted leaders, and I am delighted that they are using their considerable expertise to help Princeton thrive.” 

Walsh, who succeeds recently retired William M. Hardt ’63, has been with Annual Giving since 1992. She was named the director of Annual Giving in 2016, and was previously an associate director and senior associate director. She has worked with the classes of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, including their 10th, 15th, and 20th Reunion campaigns. For the past 10 years, she has worked with the 25th Reunion class campaigns. In appreciation of her efforts, nine Princeton classes have named her an honorary classmate. 

“I’m excited and honored to be working with our incredibly dedicated volunteers and outstanding Annual Giving staff in this new role,” Walsh said. “Princeton has the most successful Annual Giving program in the country, thanks to the amazing generosity, loyalty, and commitment of our alumni and friends. AG is vital to Princeton in providing flexible and immediate funds for so many aspects of the University’s mission, including our groundbreaking financial aid program. I look forward to continuing the wonderful legacy of my friend and mentor, Bill Hardt.”

Before coming to Princeton, Walsh was a senior associate director of development at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and director of leadership gifts at United Way of New York City.  She holds a B.A. in communications from Fordham University.

Heather Seagroatt, most recently vice president for presidential initiatives and principal gifts at Dartmouth, has also served as vice president for development at Climate Central, a nonprofit research and news organization. During her tenure, she tripled revenue and secured the three largest grants in the organization’s history. She had previously spent 11 years at Lehigh University, joining in 2001 as director of individual giving and eventually rising to associate vice president for principal gifts. She holds a doctorate and master’s degree in English literature from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania.

“Princeton and its mission of research and teaching are incredibly important not only to our students, but to the world at large,” Seagroatt said. “I am honored to work together with my colleagues and Princeton’s alumni and friends to develop resources that will keep Princeton at the leading edge of knowledge now and in the future.”