Sarah Nikkel
About Sarah Nikkel
Sarah Nikkel serves as the Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts at Yale University, where she has worked since 2017. She holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Secondary Education from Kent State University.
Current Role at Yale University
Sarah Nikkel serves as the Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts at Yale University. She has held this position since 2019, contributing to the university's fundraising efforts in the Greater New York City Area. In her role, she focuses on cultivating relationships with major donors and managing significant gifts to support various university initiatives.
Previous Positions at Yale University
Nikkel has extensive experience at Yale University, having worked in several roles prior to her current position. She was the Assistant Director of Major Gifts from 2015 to 2017 and previously served as Program Coordinator from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, she worked as Program Coordinator/Stewardship & Communications Manager for 11 months in 2011, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the university's development operations.
Education and Academic Background
Sarah Nikkel earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kent State University, where she studied from 1997 to 2001. She later pursued a Master of Arts in Secondary Education at the same institution, completing her studies in 2002. This educational background has equipped her with strong communication and organizational skills relevant to her career in development.
Experience in Major Gifts and Fundraising
Before returning to Yale University, Nikkel worked as the Major Gifts and Legacies Manager at Royal Holloway, University of London, from 2013 to 2015. She also held the position of Advancement Associate at TASIS The American School in England from 2012 to 2013. Her diverse experience in major gifts and fundraising spans multiple institutions, enhancing her expertise in donor relations.
Early Career Experience
Nikkel began her career as a Project Manager/Associate Editor at Young Minds Inspired - YMI, where she worked from 2003 to 2007. This role provided her with foundational skills in project management and communication, which she has applied throughout her subsequent positions in development and fundraising.