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Institutional Advancement and External Relations builds relationships, reputation, and resources to advance Wentworth and support its mission of providing our diverse community of learners with access to educational programs that are responsive to evolving market needs.

What We Do

A group of alumni gather with their children before going to a Red Sox game together

Alumni Relations

Alumni Relations connects Wentworth alumni to the university, the community, and each other.

Three students wearing Wentworth sweatshirts hold up signs which say "Thank You Donors" on campus

Donor Relations

Donor Relations fosters relationships between the university's philanthropic partners and the Wentworth community to steward, inspire, and raise gifts.

The Prudential Center as seen from the Charles River during the evening

Industry & Government Partnerships

Industry & Government Partnerships generates resources for the university through grants and sponsorships.

a green train moves past a building

Marketing & Communications

Marketing & Communications has primary responsibility for maintaining Wentworth's brand identity and communicating the university's mission, vision, and values to a range of audiences.

students posing with signs

University Events

University Events plans signature events across the university, such as Commencement, the Women at Wentworth breakfast, and the Veterans Luncheon.

School of Architecture & Design students experiencing paper art in the tent on the quad.

Supporting Wentworth

Empower, Inspire, Innovate – learn more about how you can support Wentworth.

Meet our Team

Crate Herbert Vice President, Institutional Advancement & External Relations, enjoys a presentation at Alumni Day

Biography

Crate Herbert
Position title
Vice President, Institutional Advancement and External Relations

Crate Herbert is the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Relations, providing strategic oversight of alumni and donor relations, marketing and communications, industry and government partnerships, individual giving, and university events.

Xander Bennett

Biography

Alexander “Xander” Bennett
Position title
Senior Associate Director of Industry Engagement

Xander Bennet joined Wentworth in late 2021. Since then, he has enjoyed connecting with students, faculty, alumni, and corporate partners to elevate the mission and bring resources to bear in support of high-value, hands- on learning. Away from campus Xander is an avid cyclist and traveler. He earned his Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Katherine DePrimo

Biography

Katie DePrimo
Position title
Executive Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, Institutional Advancement

Katie DePrimo joined the Institutional Advancement & External Relations team at Wentworth in 2014 and serves as the Executive Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, providing over a decade of experience in higher education fundraising and engagement. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing, designing, and implementing an omni-channel annual giving and alumni relations program that supports the university and provides mutually beneficial and meaningful engagement opportunities for alumni and the university.

Susan Green

Biography

Susan Green
Position title
Assistant Vice President, Alumni & Donor Relations, Institutional Advancement

Susan Green joined Wentworth in 2016 and currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Alumni and Donor Relations. With over 35 years creating and building multi-level, impactful relationships between donors, businesses, communities, and educational institutions, Susan is responsible for providing strategic oversight and operation management for all aspects of a university-wide alumni and donor relations program.

Samantha Lawson

Biography

Samantha Lawson
Position title
Associate Director of Foundation Engagement

Samantha is an experienced fundraising professional with expertise in corporate and foundation partnerships. Prior to joining Wenworth in 2023, Samantha worked at education and youth development nonprofit organizations in the Boston area. She is dedicated to fostering relationships that advance Wentworth's mission and make a positive impact on the community.

Ted Reed

Biography

Ted Reed
Position title
Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications

As Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Ted leads a comprehensive range of marketing activities. His expertise lies in strategic marketing, demand generation, and cultivating agile marketing practices. With a focus on consumer insights, Ted navigates complex organizations and collaborates with executives in corporate and non-profit sectors. His commitment to storytelling extends to bringing the stories of students, faculty, and the university to life across all communication channels.

Erik Ryan

Biography

Erik Ryan
Position title
Senior Major Gifts Officer, Institutional Advancement

Erik is passionate about education and enjoys connecting with alumni, parents, and friends to hear about the impact Wentworth has had on their lives. Erik has more than 20 years’ professional experience across corporate and higher education industries and is a board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Massachusetts and a long time volunteer at Boston Childrens Hospital. During Erik’s leisure time, he enjoys running, traveling with his wife, and dining out.  

Portrait of Aamir Suleman

Biography

Aamir Suleman
Position title
Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Linda Werman

Biography

Linda Werman
Position title
Executive Director of University Events

Linda Werman is the Executive Director of University Events, providing strategic leadership and project management oversight for all major university events including Commencement, Women@Wentworth, Veterans Luncheon, donor and alumni events.

Iyanna Williams

Biography

Iyanna Williams
Position title
Major Gift Officer

Iyanna Williams joined Wentworth in 2021, bringing a passion for cultivating long-lasting relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the university to her work. Through passionate advocation, Iyanna aids in garnering further support for Wentworth Institute of Technology and its students. By supporting initiatives like inclusive excellence and strategic partnerships, Iyanna helps Wentworth to provide a high value education to its students now, and in the future.