Lindsay Vahl Dean Named AVP of Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the NAA
Lindsay Vahl Dean has been appointed Northwestern University’s assistant vice president (AVP) of alumni engagement and executive director of the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA).
An accomplished alumni relations leader, Vahl Dean has served as the NAA’s interim executive director since October 2023. She will begin her new role on July 22. Enjoy her Q&A with Northwestern Magazine.
“Over the last nine months, I have seen firsthand Lindsay’s effective, dynamic leadership,” said David A. Lively (’26 P), vice president for Northwestern Alumni Relations and Development (ARD). “She has fostered a culture of innovation and commitment to excellence within the NAA through her collaborative approach and remarkable ability to bring together different constituencies and build consensus around common goals.”
As AVP and NAA executive director, Vahl Dean will be responsible for the overall leadership and strategic direction of the alumni association, which represents more than 260,000 alumni worldwide. She will lead a team of alumni relations professionals and report to Lively. Vahl Dean also will serve on the ARD Executive Team and as an ex-officio member of the NAA Board of Directors.
“Lindsay brings creative, impactful approaches for meaningful engagement of our global alumni community,” said NAA Board President and Northwestern Trustee Albert Manzone ’93 MBA (’18, ’22 P). “The Northwestern Alumni Association will benefit greatly from her thoughtful, inspiring leadership and her expertise collaborating with alumni volunteers.”
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with Lindsay in her role as AVP and NAA executive director,” said NAA Board President-Elect Kristin McDonnell ’85 (’21, ’23, ’25 P), who is also a University trustee. “She has the positive energy and compelling vision that will continue to engage Northwestern alumni intellectually, professionally and socially. I look forward to partnering with her to realize the NAA’s exciting future."
Vahl Dean’s appointment follows a national search led by a search advisory committee that included NAA volunteer leaders, University trustees, ARD staff and leaders of other University units that partner with the NAA. The search was assisted by executive search firm Aspen Leadership Group.
Lively praised Vahl Dean’s accomplishments while in the interim role. “Lindsay’s leadership of the NAA team has been instrumental in driving many initiatives forward, including expanding Northwestern Connects, the global alumni networking night; rolling out new email marketing and event registration tools; revitalizing components of the Alumni Travel program; launching the NAA’s marketing campaign; planning the inaugural NAA Town Hall and Annual Meeting; streamlining and documenting numerous processes to enhance efficiency; and establishing and nurturing relationships with alumni volunteer leaders.”
Vahl Dean also advocated for and secured additional funding resources to support the implementation of the NAA strategic vision. In addition, the Alumni Authors CATalogue won a 2024 Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
“I am thrilled by the opportunity to lead the Northwestern Alumni Association and am eager to continue collaborating with our incredibly talented team, dedicated alumni volunteers and campus partners,” Vahl Dean said. “Together, we will broaden the outreach to the University’s global alumni community and embrace all the ways alumni share their Purple Pride. I look forward to embarking on this exciting new chapter with Northwestern alumni.”
Vahl Dean joined Northwestern in March 2023 as senior director, strategic initiatives and alumni engagement, leading the NAA’s Alumni Communities team. Previously, she spent more than a decade with the Illinois State University Alumni Association, serving in alumni engagement leadership roles of progressive responsibility. Most recently, she was senior director, alumni engagement, responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of programs, events and services to increase Illinois State alumni affinity and engagement, with a primary focus on the Chicago metropolitan area.
Vahl Dean earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science and completed significant coursework toward a PhD in higher education administration at Illinois State. She began her professional career at her alma mater as an undergraduate admissions counselor, where she was promoted first to senior admissions counselor and then to assistant director, Office of Admissions. She later joined the university’s alumni relations team.
Vahl Dean has been actively involved for many years in the progression of the alumni relations profession as well as the development of its future leaders. She was co-chair of the 2024 CASE District V Conference and served on the CASE District V Conference Planning Committee for eight years. She has been a member of the CASE District V Cabinet since 2022.