Dara Royer

Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Dara Royer portraitDara Royer is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. In this role she’s responsible for oversight of marketing efforts, including strategic marketing campaigns, digital and content marketing, and brand stewardship as has been recognized with an ICON Award in 2021 and 2022 as a Top 50 Marketer in the country.

Prior to her appointment at the University, Royer served as Chief Development and Marketing Officer for Mercy Corps, a leading global organization operating in 42 countries. Royer was responsible for private, corporate and foundation fundraising, global marketing communications and brand development. Under her leadership, Harris Poll EquiTrend recognized Mercy Corps as “Brand of the Year” and “Most Loved” International Aid nonprofit.

Before joining Mercy Corps in 2013, Royer served as Vice President of Brand Marketing for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the largest healthcare charity in the world. There, she was responsible for overseeing a large and diverse marketing team driving hundreds of national fundraising and awareness campaigns generating more than $890 million annually in support.

Royer began her career as an Emmy and AP award-winning television journalist.

Royer received a certificate from Cornell University for Executive Women in Leadership and an Executive Leadership certificate from Harvard Business School. She earned her BA in History from Indiana University in Bloomington and is currently pursuing an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University.