Missy Ryan Penland, MPA

Missy Ryan Penland, MPA is a nationally recognized philanthropic leader within higher education and community-based organizations. She is known for motivating staff and volunteers to reach ambitious philanthropic goals with passion and commitment to mission. A seasoned strategist with executive oversight responsibilities in major and principal gifts, prospect management, talent and financial management, donor relations and board governance she excels in operations of all sizes.

Missy currently is the Senior Associate Vice President for Development at Clemson University. In this role Missy leads a dynamic team of development and donor relations professionals whose mission is to inspire philanthropic giving throughout the University community including alumni, parents and friends.

She was named one of six "Fundraising Stars" nationally in by Fundraising Success Magazine as well as named AFP's Fundraising Executive of the Year for the Upstate of South Carolina. She has been nationally recognized for her work and success in gift officer productivity through her D.A.D. fundraising program by such groups as Education Advisory Board and the Major Gifts Report.

A passionate volunteer for the philanthropic sector, Missy has served a number of organizations both in the states and abroad. She was named one of Greenville’s Best and Brightest under 35 in 2011 and is a graduate of Leadership Greenville Class of 37.

She is a frequent presenter on the topics of gift officer productivity, leading and managing teams and inspiring gifts of a lifetime. As an Association of Fundraising Professionals volunteer, Missy has served in various roles both at the local and national level. She is the past president of the AFP Greater Atlanta Chapter and now sits as the Chair Elect of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy.