Creating an effective and meaningful advisory board

Author's Biography

Marcia Sloan Latta serves as vice president for advancement at the University of Findlay where she oversees fundraising, alumni and parent relations, the nationally-known Mazza Museum, and community outreach. A strong believer in the value of philanthropy, education, and community involvement, Dr Latta previously served as an advancement executive at two other universities as well as serving as a hospital foundation CEO and as the founding president of a community foundation. Early in her career she served as a congressional aide and also did volunteer work in Costa Rica. She is a frequent presenter across the nation and internationally on advancement and board governance issues. Dr Latta is a former president of the northwest Ohio chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, which named her its Outstanding Fundraising Executive in 2009. She has also been named a ‘Woman of Distinction’ from the Western Ohio Girl Scouts. She holds a doctor of education degree in leadership and policy studies from Bowling Green State University and has completed Harvard University’s School of Education’s Management and Leadership in Education programme. She is active in many civic and professional organisations including serving on the boards of the F&M State Bank, the Toledo Zoo, and Ohio Citizens for the Arts, among others. Working with these many institutions is where she developed a strong interest both as a practitioner and through research, in the inherent value, challenges, and importance of governing and advisory boards.