Jeffrey Appel

Jeffrey Appel serves as Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement and has been with PDS since 2011.

As a member of the school’s senior leadership team, Appel helps to shape and implement the future strategic direction of the school. He is responsible for all resource development activities and oversees all aspects of development and strategic communication, including public relations, annual giving, major gifts, alumni affairs, constituent information, and related administrative support of these functions. In addition, summer programs and campus safety & security fall under his direction.

With a master’s degree in education, for administration and supervision in higher education from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s in business administration from Curry College, Appel has more than 35 years of experience in institutional advancement, including roles as chief development officer (the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pa.), associate vice president for development (Washington College in Chestertown, Md.), assistant head of school for alumni and development (Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass.), annual fund director (Darlington School in Rome, Ga.), and alumni and parent relations director (Curry College in Milton, Mass.).

While serving as the chief advancement officer for three independent schools, Appel has been highly successful in major gift solicitation for capital, endowment, deferred and annual giving programs, and has helped each institution achieve or exceed various program and campus-wide goals, raising more than $115 million. His experience also extends internationally, having traveled frequently to Europe and Asia in support of admissions, alumni relations, and development work during his 12-year tenure at the Berkshire School.

Appel is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support Education, the National Association of Independent Schools, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He has served on the Board of Directors for Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield Land Trust, and Northwest Georgia Credit Union, and was a member of Town Hill School’s Development Committee.