Join Our Team

The Purdue for Life Foundation helps people who love Purdue stay connected, get involved, and give back. Each day, the work we do makes a difference. You can see it. Your work may help make a student’s dreams come true, improve campus life for generations to come, and support research and discoveries that change the world. Your next giant leap starts here. Apply today!

Career Opportunities

Development Officer, College of Engineering

Posted: April 14, 2025

Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of...

The Purdue for Life Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, are encouraged to apply. Employees are treated during employment and qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

Our Values

Two core values guide the work of our team:

Advancing Purdue Together

We understand we serve an organization that is bigger than any individual and that exists for the benefit of Purdue. Our collective purpose is to prioritize the long-term needs and strengthen the reputation of the university as we help people who love Purdue stay connected, get involved, and give back.

G.R.I.T. to Excellence

We work hard together to create wins for Purdue, understanding that any success is everyone’s success. We’re resilient when we face resistance, and we’re persistent in the pursuit of the next giant leap. We learn from our missteps, we prevail in the face of adversity, and we’re guided by G.R.I.T.—growth, responsibility, investment, and teamwork—on our path to achieving excellence.

Work With Us

The Purdue for Life Foundation was created in 2020 by uniting the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office. Check out our annual impact report and watch the videos below to learn more about the impact of our collective efforts.

Learn more about Develop U—our in-house talent development team!

“As a Purdue alum, I am proud to work for Purdue for Life and love seeing the impact our organization has on the university! I strongly believe in the importance of investing in others and love that I get to do that every day through my work with Develop U!“

Nina Fox // Director of Learning and Talent Development

“I joined Purdue for Life in August 2022, and my favorite thing so far is how quickly I felt prepared to succeed. Staff and leadership have a genuine desire to help you do your best work. The talent development programming has been an incredible help with getting me up to speed and learning everything!”

Darrell Pirtle // Director of Development

“My colleagues at the Foundation are fun, talented, and collaborative. This is important! Due to the fast-paced, dynamic nature of my job, where I get to engage with so many different people—alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and community leaders—our team has to be receptive to new initiatives and events if we are to find meaningful ways to advance the mission of Purdue.”

Maria Whipple // Senior Director of Affinity Networks

“Purdue for Life has been a breath of fresh air in my career. You are treated as an individual, and our leaders truly care about their team members. It is a rewarding experience getting to see firsthand what our Foundation does to advance the mission of Purdue.”

Matt Sampson // Director of Special Events

“I’ve been a part of this team for more than 35 years. I am passionate about what I do, and I love being able to work directly with donors to help them make an impact on the university.”

Mary Seyfried // Senior Managing Director of Gift Administration and Donor Services

“I love working with my team as we make big things happen for Purdue Athletics. We had a record-breaking fundraising year, the largest in school history, and every single member of the team worked hard to contribute toward the overall goal. We have a great team culture that helps us thrive at work. It’s a dream come true.”

Courtney Downey // Assistant Athletics Director for Development Operations

“I get to work on a variety of interesting projects, such as the webpage you’re scrolling through right now! I love being able to do this with a flexible work schedule that allows me to work from home when I need to. Although I’m not in the office every day, I have great relationships with my colleagues and look forward to our fun social events.”

Safar Saydshoev // Senior Web Developer

“I appreciate the measure of flexibility afforded me in reaching for work-life balance. Purdue for Life continues to set a great example in this area, facilitating a culture where one is encouraged to take time to care for the holistic self as well as tend to family needs.”

Lisa Sultemeier // Assistant Director of Donor Relations

Nina Fox // Director of Learning and Talent Development

Darrell Pirtle // Director of Development

Maria Whipple // Senior Director of Affinity Networks

Matt Sampson // Director of Special Events

“I’ve been a part of this team for more than 35 years. I am passionate about what I do, and I love being able to work directly with donors to help them make an impact on the university.”