Natalie Hart has been named assistant vice president of advancement, National Capital Region, at Virginia Tech to direct fundraising and support outreach and strategic communication initiatives for the university in Northern Virginia.

The move reflects Virginia Tech’s growing footprint in the region, which includes facilities and programs in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Leesburg, Manassas, and Middleburg. An estimated 60,000 Virginia Tech alumni and nearly 45 percent of in-state undergraduates come from the Washington, D.C. metro area.

In her new role, Hart will build an integrated approach to Virginia Tech’s Advancement program in the National Capital Region by coordinating programs to maximize the support for and exposure of university initiatives in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She will work to secure philanthropic gifts and provide strategic oversight of communications and alumni activities in support of the university’s effort to increase its prominence and impact in region.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Natalie on the Honors College project,” said David Calhoun ’79, senior managing director for Blackstone and former CEO of Nielsen. “Her ability to think strategically and bring different groups of people together to tackle big problems will definitely serve Virginia Tech well as it builds its presence in the D.C. region.”  

“Natalie’s new role will help Virginia Tech strengthen its relationship with the region and elevate Virginia Tech’s visibility around the beltway,” said Charlie Phlegar, Virginia Tech’s vice president for advancement. “She has a talent to bring people together, to understand their needs, and see opportunities that benefit both the region and the university.”

In his recent State of the University Address, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands noted that Virginia Tech’s growing presence in the National Capital Region, which dates back to 1969, and has deep ties to Blacksburg and Roanoke, is a vital element of the university’s strategy to become a top 100 global university.

Currently, the National Capital Region is home to 30 graduate degree and certificate programs and serves as an urban living laboratory for basic and translational research, graduate education, and experiential learning. Many Virginia Tech graduate students in the National Capital Region, as well as many more alumni, work in the government, private, and nonprofit sectors located inside the Capital Beltway and in the surrounding cities.

In addition, faculty and researchers have engaged with communities to solve real problems in the area.

“I look forward to collaborating with university leaders, faculty, and students who have built strong relationships and applied their expertise through partnerships in the greater Washington, D.C. community to address issues that impact this region,” said Hart.

Since 2002, Hart has held a series of positions of increasing strategic importance at Virginia Tech. Most recently, she served as a principal gifts officer in the university’s Advancement division, providing leadership on successful fundraising efforts around the Honors College and Intelligent Infrastructure for Human-Centered Communities. From 2010 to 2016, Hart served in the Office of the President and advised Virginia Tech presidents Tim Sands and Charles Steger on large-scale initiatives.

In addition, Hart has worked in the Department of Athletics, the Office of the Senior Fellow for Resource Development, the Center for Regional Strategies, the Office of the Vice Provost for Outreach and International Affairs, and the Office of Sponsored Programs.

She has a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in public and international affairs, both from Virginia Tech. Hart also earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit and nongovernmental organizational management from Virginia Tech.

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