NMH Announces New Chief Advancement Officer

Dave Biancamano will join the senior leadership team at Northfield Mount Hermon as chief advancement officer, beginning May 1.

Biancamano will lead the school’s advancement and marketing and communications teams, shaping NMH’s vision for fundraising and engagement and building the infrastructure and culture necessary to achieve its priorities and fulfill its aspirations for its future. He will serve as a strategic partner to the head of school and the NMH Board of Trustees, guiding the design and execution of advancement goals that support the school’s mission, strategic plan, and financial sustainability.

“NMH benefits from a proud tradition of alumni, family, and broader community engagement. Current students and employees benefit from this dedication, advocacy, and generosity in profound ways,” said Head of School Brian Hargrove. “Finding the right person to lead our team to honor this commitment and deepen this connection further in the years to come is incredibly important. 

“We conducted a national search that attracted a rich pool of candidates. I am thrilled that, in our own backyard, we found Dave,” Hargrove continued. “His record of success in leading diverse teams, bridging volunteer and donor interests with institutional priorities, and shining the light on the power of education as a societal force for good distinguished him throughout the process. We are thrilled to welcome Dave and his family to NMH.”

Biancamano brings to the role nearly 25 years of educational experience, including leading comprehensive fundraising programs and developing campaign strategy, major and principal gift programs, and donor engagement models that strengthen institutional culture and long-term sustainability. 

He comes to NMH from the UMass Amherst Foundation, where he serves as an assistant vice president, overseeing fundraising and advancement efforts for a diverse portfolio of university colleges and schools. His previous roles include deputy athletic director for development at UMass Amherst, senior associate athletic director at James Madison University, and director of development for athletics at Rice University. He received his bachelor’s in communication from Central Connecticut State University and his master’s in sports administration from the University of Miami. 

“I am grateful to the Northfield Mount Hermon Board of Trustees and to Brian Hargrove for the opportunity to join this extraordinary school at such an important moment,” said Biancamano. “Throughout the search process, I was inspired by the clarity of NMH’s mission, the strength of its leadership, and the deep commitment of its community. I am excited to partner with the advancement team and colleagues across the school as we build on the strong momentum. At its core, advancement work connects generosity to impact, and I look forward to ensuring that our efforts continue to strengthen NMH’s mission.”

Biancamano will assume the chief advancement officer position from Trish Jackson, who will retire on June 30 after serving in the role since 2022. Jackson led the successful $275 million This Place: This Moment: The Campaign for Northfield Mount Hermon, positioning the school for long-term sustainability and growth as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2029 and beyond.

“It is hard to overstate Trish’s contributions to NMH as our advancement leader,” Hargrove said. “She stepped in to lead our team on the eve of our campaign launch. It was a daunting challenge and one that she was uniquely suited to navigate and, in fact, master. Her vast experience as an advancement leader, her gifts as a relationship and volunteer manager, and her devotion to centering our mission in all that we do resulted in a smooth transition and, of even more note, success in elevating the program to new heights. 

“Trish is a force for good, and I deeply appreciate her commitment to NMH, her service as an educational leader more broadly, and her ability to call us all to the best versions of ourselves,” he added. “I wish Trish continued success as she moves into the next phase of her career.”

Biancamano’s May 1 start will allow his tenure to overlap with Jackson’s, ensuring a successful transition of leadership as NMH wraps up This Place, This Moment at the end of the fiscal year. He will move to campus this summer with his wife, Emily, and their sons, Connor and Grant.