Howard Lipman joined AGB Search in 2023 with more than 30 years of advancement and executive experience. He served as the Senior Vice President of University Advancement at Florida International University (FIU) and Chief Executive Officer of the FIU Foundation, Inc. for 13 years. As the leader of FIU’s $750 million Next Horizon capital campaign, he led the Advancement Team toward accomplishing FIU’s campaign goals and its NextHorizon2025 strategic initiatives in Student Success and Research Excellence. He successfully formed integral connections with his Foundation/Advancement staff, which was among the most diverse in higher education fundraising, as well as with emerging campus leaders.
Mr. Lipman led University Advancement and the FIU Foundation from 2010 to 2023, after serving as Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the FIU Foundation from 2002 to 2006. Alumni work has been a key focus throughout his career. At FIU, he was the chief architect of the University’s revitalized alumni program, bringing in top professional talent to build out the program, expanding staff, and broadening its functions. As Foundation CEO, he managed the 501(c)(3), which was responsible for investment of endowment funds, philanthropic revenue growth, ethical stewardship of gifts, and the operation of a 44-member Board of Directors, work that advanced the university and strengthened the community.
Mr. Lipman also has a significant background in medical school fundraising. He secured gifts to establish FIU’s medical school in 2006, raised funds for the Ear Institute and a Transplant Research Chair at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, and served on a team that brought in the largest gift in the state of Ohio–a $105 million investment to name Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University.
Mr. Lipman has held positions in the non-profit sector including at Oakwood Healthcare System Foundation and the Zoological Society of Florida. He is the Former President and CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Miami and the Keys, a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and past President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Miami chapter.
Mr. Lipman received a bachelor’s degree in political science from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He also completed studies in higher education administration and organizational leadership at Southern Illinois University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
