Elizabeth Friedman Branoff knows a good match when she sees one. Like any expert fundraiser, the UC Berkeley Library’s new executive director of development excels at connecting a donor’s interests with an institution’s needs.
Branoff recently found her own perfect match — as the leader of the Library Development Office. After 13 years with UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she was drawn to the Library by the opportunity to use her fundraising skills to serve the entire campus community.
“The Library supports teaching and research, the discovery and application of new ideas, and serves the mission of our top-ranked public research university to be a force for good in society,” she said. “It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and I’m so honored to have been chosen for the position.”
As the executive director of major gifts at Haas, her most recent role, Branoff oversaw a high-performing team that raised more than $100 million over 5 ½ years. Prior to her time at UC Berkeley, she worked at several global nonprofits.
We caught up with Branoff to learn more about what she’s been up to in her first month on the job, what she loves most about her work, and what she does when she’s not raising money.
What is something new you have learned about the Library in your first month?
I have been astounded by the fabulous staff, with their deep expertise in a variety of areas, and the substantial resources held at the Library. The collections, archives, and exhibits are all exceptional. I knew it was an important institution, with important holdings, but I have been blown away by the depth and breadth of what we have right here at our own university.
What do you like most about development work?
Relationship-building. I love meeting people who have had a transformative experience at this institution, in this case, who feel that the Library was a meaningful part of their undergraduate or graduate experience. Maybe it was a wonderful place to study, a collaborative place to work with others on projects, or a place to dive deeper into an area of interest. Or maybe they finished a research project with support from a librarian, and they are deeply grateful for their experience with the Library. Or maybe they were in a study group and have kept in touch with those folks over the years. I enjoy getting to hear those stories, building relationships with the alumni and others who have utilized our resources, and then connecting their passion with the needs of the Library. In a way, I am really a matchmaker between what somebody is passionate about and how they can be helpful in supporting the institution and its mission.
What is your top priority for your first six months?
I think it’s important to be a great listener and observer, and to learn how the Library operates. It’s a big and complex institution with many components and areas of expertise. And I want to learn as much as I possibly can about the Library and all it has to offer. I also want to learn from the librarians and other content experts, as well as my team, about what has made the Library successful, what we’re most proud of, and what we feel are the most important priorities for the institution moving forward. My team and I can then convey that information to prospective donors, authentically making the case for support and attracting investments in the great work that we’re doing.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I’m an avid hiker. I love being in nature and spending as much time outside as possible. This year, I have also made a commitment to intensify my yoga practice. So I’m doing a lot more yoga than I used to do. I also have a daughter who is a junior in college, and I have a son who is a high school senior, so I’m working on the college application process with him, and just enjoying being a family before we become empty nesters.
This Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.