Experience

Canisius University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Senior Advancement Officer

  • Oct 2022 - Present

• Senior Philanthropy Officer

  • Oct 2022 - Aug 2023



Civello Strategies, LLC

• New York and Florida

• Owner and Manager

  • Jul 2017 - Oct 2022

  Strategic solutions for fundraising success and organizational growth. Strategic solutions for fundraising success and organizational growth.



Trocaire College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Executive Director of Advancement

  • Sep 2019 - Feb 2022



Canisius University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Adjunct Professor

  • Jul 2017 - Aug 2019

  Topics in Medicine; Introduction to Health Professions

• Associate Vice President for Advancement

  • Aug 2014 - Jul 2017

  Dianna has been a senior administrator at Canisius College for 13 years, successfully leading the Advancement Team through multiple transitions and fundraising initiatives. Highlights of her accomplishments include founding the Medical Advisory Board with whom Dianna works diligently to engage alumni physicians in the process of preparing Canisius students. Their efforts have resulted in stellar medical school acceptances and a generous endowment to support pre-med students. Most recently, she accomplished a long standing goal of establishing a Women's Leadership Council to provide both professional and personal support for all Women of Canisius. At The Buffalo Seminary, Dianna coordinated efforts for the prestigious girls' school's first capital campaign in over 35 years and was nationally recognized by the Council for the Advancement of Support of Education for a yearlong celebration of the Sem's Sesquicentennial Anniversary. A teacher of Spanish for twenty years before embarking on a second career in advancement, Dianna relishes the opportunity to mentor and guide junior staff toward professional fulfillment. Show less

• Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement

  • Nov 2012 - Aug 2014

  On November 20, 2012, President John J. Hurley announced that he is appointing Dianna Civello, Associate Vice president for Institutional Advancement, to serve as the Interim Vice President of the division. Dianna joined Canisius in 2003 as a development officer and since that time has taken on important leadership responsibilities to advance this arm of the college’s operation.She played a key role in the successful completion of the Legacy of Leadership Campaign that concluded this year. In addition to raising major gifts, Dianna oversaw stewardship initiatives, corporate and foundation relations, and advancement research, as well as strategies to engage the college’s alumni and donors.Dianna is a member of the Senior Operating Team and serves as secretary to the Board of Regents and the Medical Advisory Board. In 2008, she received the George M. Martin Award for her contributions to the Institutional Advancement team. Show less

• Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement

  • Oct 2010 - Nov 2012

  As AVPIA, Civello plays a key leadership role on the advancement team and a major role in A Legacy of Leadership: The Campaign for Canisius College. While maintaining a significant portfolio of major gift donors, Civello works closely with the vice president for institutional advancement and the college’s comprehensive campaign chair to orchestrate campaign solicitation strategies. She also oversees institutional advancement efforts, including the engagement and stewardship of key alumni, friends and corporate and foundation partners, as well as communication to inform donors of the impact of their contributions.In addition to campaign responsibilities and the management of the day-to-day operations of the Institutional Advancement Division, Civello is a member of President John J. Hurley’s senior operating team and serves as secretary to the Board of Regents and the Medical Advisory Board. In 2008, Civello received the George M. Martin Award, given to a member of the advancement team whose initiative, creativity and teamwork brings distinction to him/herself and the college.“In selecting an associate vice president, I was interested in a person who could lead, manage, and collaborate,” said Chindemi. “Dianna possesses all of these attributes and knows how and when to utilize each approach. Deans and other campus leadership seek out her counsel and participation in campus-wide activities. Her ability to develop meaningful relationships with Canisius alumni and leaders in the Western New York community is a particular strength.” Show less

• Interim Associate Vice President for Development

  • Dec 2009 - Oct 2010

• Director of Development for Major Gifts

  • Jul 2006 - Dec 2009

• Development Officer

  • Dec 2003 - Jul 2006



Buffalo Seminary

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Development

  • 1996 - 2003



Nichols School

• Spanish Teacher

  • 1981 - 1990