Fred Najjar
About Fred Najjar
Fred Najjar serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at CommonSpirit Health, where he oversees philanthropy for 83 fundraising foundations. He has held various leadership roles in higher education and healthcare philanthropy over his career, including significant positions at San Jose State University and Dignity Health.
Work at CommonSpirit Health
Fred Najjar serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at CommonSpirit Health since 2019. In this role, he oversees philanthropy for 83 fundraising foundations, which include those of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. He plays a consultative role in the hiring, training, and development of leadership within the foundations. Najjar shares best practices throughout the ministry, ensuring that philanthropic support aligns with the organization's programs and services.
Previous Experience in Higher Education
Prior to his current position, Fred Najjar held various roles at San Jose State University from 1989 to 2011. His positions included Director of University Housing Services, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, and Vice President for University Advancement. He also served as Associate Vice President, Alumni Affairs from 1999 to 2004. Earlier in his career, he worked at Arizona State University as Associate Director of Residential and Greek Life from 1984 to 1989.
Experience at Dignity Health
Fred Najjar worked at Dignity Health as Senior Vice President of Philanthropy from 2011 to 2019. In this capacity, he contributed to the organization's philanthropic initiatives and strategies, enhancing its fundraising efforts and community engagement.
Educational Background
Fred Najjar studied at Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from 1973 to 1977. He continued his education at Virginia Tech, obtaining a Master of Science in Public Administration and Counseling from 1977 to 1979. He completed his secondary education at Martinsville High School in Virginia.