Olivia Thompson joined the University of Houston in March 2014, as executive director of constituent development and soon thereafter as chief development officer for major gifts before becoming chief principal gifts officer. Thompson has 17 years of experience in higher education and development. Prior to joining the University of Houston she held various fundraising roles at The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University. At the University of Houston, Thompson collaborates across university colleges/units to secure gifts at the $2.5 million level and higher and visits alumni and donors across the nation in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio, and Montana. She is also leading the new International Advancement Program at the University. International markets include Mexico, Canada, and United Kingdom. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and a minor in Art History from The Ohio State University and a Masters of Public Administration from Texas State University.