Pitt announced an interim PAE leader and plan to integrate the division under external relations

Tom Crawford, vice chancellor for corporate and foundation relations and senior advisor for special initiatives, will serve as the interim lead of Pitt’s Division of Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement, and the division will join the portfolio of Senior Vice Chancellor Kevin Washo as part of an integrated External Relations unit. Chancellor Joan Gabel shared the updates in a message to faculty and staff on April 3.

“Tom has an incredible ability to connect with people and to secure transformational gifts for Pitt’s highest priorities, such as the $100 million gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, its largest single program grant and Pitt’s second-largest gift ever,” said Gabel in her message, which follows last week’s announcement that Kris Davitt, senior vice chancellor for PAE, was stepping down from her role at Pitt to join the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

The move to integrate PAE into External Relations is similar to the merger of administrative and financial operations last year into a single unit. Gabel also noted that this alignment strategically positions the University for success ahead of launching a comprehensive campaign, particularly in engaging public-facing stakeholders including alumni, industry and public sector partners.

Washo, a Pitt graduate (A&S ’04) and former University trustee, has served in the chancellor’s administration in roles of increasing responsibility for more than seven years.

“[Kevin] is a trusted leader, and in just the last year alone in support of the Plan for Pitt 2028, he oversaw the creation of the new brand and strategic communications platform, leading to recognition by the Pittsburgh Business times as a C-Suite Award winner,” said Gabel. Last year, City & State PA recognized Washo as a “Higher Education Trailblazer.”