New chair of Yale Alumni Fund Board elected

Thomas S. Leatherbury ’76, ’79 J.D. is the new chair of the Yale Alumni Fund (YAF) Board, beginning a two-year term on July 1. He was elected at the board’s June 20 meeting at the Yale Club of New York. Leatherbury has served as vice chair of the board since July 1, 2014.

Thomas S. Leatherbury ’76, ’79 J.D. is the new chair of the Yale Alumni Fund (YAF) Board, beginning a two-year term on July 1. He was elected at the board’s June 20 meeting at the Yale Club of New York. Leatherbury has served as vice chair of the board since July 1, 2014.

Thomas S. Leatherbury

A partner in the law firm of Vinson & Elkins, Leatherbury has a long history of service to his alma mater. He co-chaired his Yale College class’ 40th Reunion Gift Committee, is a long-serving member of the Yale Alumni Fund Board, and serves on the Alumni Fund Leadership Council. He is vice president of the Yale Club of Dallas, a Law Alumni Fund volunteer agent, and a Law School Association of Yale Alumni delegate. He previously served as co-chair of his 30th and 35th Yale College Reunion Gift Committees and 30th Law School Reunion Gift Committee, and as a member of his 20th and 25th Yale College Reunion Gift Committees and his 20th and 25th Law School Reunion Gift Committees. As an undergraduate he was a resident of Jonathan Edwards College, majored in history, was a member of the Spizzwinks(?) and then the Whiffenpoofs, and was a freshman counselor. He is also the parent of two graduates of the university.

In his role as YAF board chair, Leatherbury will serve as the key leader for all Alumni Fund volunteers and as the voice of the fund to volunteers and alumni. He will chair the Alumni Fund Board meetings, which are held three times per year; convene the executive committee; and collaborate with Alumni Fund staff to set the framework for YAF fundraising priorities. He also represents the fund at the university level though attendance at meetings of the University Council and the Corporation Committee on Development & Alumni Affairs.

At Vinson & Elkins, Leatherbury is co-head of the firm’s appellate practice group and chair of the talent management committee. He is a trustee of the National Association of Law Placement Foundation and serves on the editorial board of Communications Lawyer. He is a fellow of the American, Texas, and Dallas Bar Foundations.

In making the announcement, Lynn Andrewsen ’82, managing director of YAF, noted, “I truly look forward to working closely with Tom as he takes on the chairmanship of the Yale Alumni Fund Board. Tom is a lifelong Yale volunteer and donor, and he has demonstrated steadfast commitment to his alma mater. I have long been impressed with his dedication to Yale and know he will bring his unique blend of energy, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness to this new role.”

The Yale Alumni Fund just concluded a two-year celebration of its 125th anniversary and is the oldest continuously operating annual giving program in the country. The fund’s mission is to provide unrestricted, immediately expendable support for the university’s highest priorities.

Looking forward, Leatherbury says, “I am excited to take on the responsibilities of the Yale Alumni Fund Board Chair. Yale has done so much for me and my family and I am honored to be able to give back. I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors—focusing on increasing engagement of our hard-working volunteers, improving the use of technology in our fundraising efforts, and enhancing collaboration among the Yale Alumni Fund, the Association of Yale Alumni, and the graduate and professional schools.”

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