Dale Wright is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dale is an advancement executive with 25+ years of extensive experience in higher education and non-profit fundraising with progressive responsibility in constituent engagement and involvement, strategic planning, management, and building and coaching high performing teams. 

Dale has a proven record of success in alumni affairs, program development and execution, securing and stewarding major and principal gifts, as well as multi-year comprehensive capital campaign experience, including three (3) $1B+ campaigns. 

Wright is actively involved with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), serving on both district and international committees, including the CASE Commission on Philanthropy, as well as a faculty member and speaker at educational programs and conferences. He is a recipient of the prestigious CASE Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence and is a CASE Laureate. Additionally, he is a member of organizations such as the African American Development Officers Network and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he also serves as a local chapter board member. 

Outside of his professional endeavors, Wright is committed to community service, serving on the American Legion Boys State of Missouri (Missouri Boys State) Board of Directors. In recognition of his service to Missouri Boys State and the field of education, he received the Mel Carnahan Public Service Award in Education in 2023 from the Carnahan Policy Institute. He holds degrees from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).