DURHAM, N.H. – In an effort to strengthen its relationships with corporations and private foundations the University of New Hampshire recently announced the appointment of Suellen Peluso as senior director of corporate and foundation relations. 

Over the last 25 years Peluso has held leadership positions at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, UCLA and Colby-Sawyer College. Her early work included leading and expanding UCLA’s comprehensive development program for life sciences in collaboration with faculty in physical and medical sciences. She was recruited to Dartmouth to establish the corporate and foundation relations program for the academic medical enterprise and subsequently played a pivotal role as associate vice president in its campaign that raised $256 million for research, education, health policy and advocacy. 

“We are fortunate to have recruited an individual that brings significant experience, sound judgment and the strategic vision required to lead this critical area for the university,” said Susan Halloran, associate vice president of development.

Peluso earned a bachelor’s in microbiology from Purchase College, State University of New York, and a master’s in health management and policy from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service. She has served as a faculty member for professional advancement organizations in the areas of corporate, foundation and academic-industry relations, principal and major gifts.  

At UNH, Peluso will work to garner support from private foundations and will work closely with UNHInnovation to further the engagement of potential corporate partners. She can be reached at (603) 862-4482 or suellen.peluso@unh.edu.

“I am delighted to be joining the university at this pivotal time in its history,” said Peluso. “I look forward to working with the faculty and leadership to expand and deepen the university’s ties with corporate and foundation constituencies.”