Shara Freeman Hoefel is a dynamic leader and relationship builder who has led and supported multi-million and multi-billion dollar fundraising campaigns in Boston, New York City, and San Diego. Shara is a data-driven, results-oriented, and highly-motivated strategic thinker who thrives in fast-paced organizations and collaborative environments. She is a culturally competent team and individual manager with expertise in maximizing performance, forging collaborative partnerships, and elevating the institution’s mission and vision. As Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations at the UC San Diego, she is responsible for working with alumni to dedicate and invest time, treasure, and talent in the University’s most critical and transformational opportunities, and for advancing the Decade of Alumni initiative which aims to strengthen alumni ties and foster a lifelong connection between alumni and the University. Prior to joining the University in 2025, she was Assistant Head of School for External Relations at Francis Parker School in San Diego, CA, since 2013. Shara was responsible for advancement, alumni relations, development operations, communications and marketing, and admissions, helped set the School’s strategy, and worked directly with the Board of Trustees. In her previous roles at Fordham Law School, Cornell University, and The Chapin School, she specialized in building and expanding cultures of philanthropy, implementing strategic initiatives, and achieving transformative results. Shara serves as a trustee on the San Diego French American School board, is the vice co-chair of the Development Committee of Cornell University’s President’s Council of Cornell Women, and is an active member of the CASE District VII Cabinet and CASE US-Canada Council. She has also served as a faculty member and chair of the CASE Independent School Advancement Institute. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University and a M.S. in Sport Psychology from Ithaca College.
