Bay Area Fundraiser Julia Jordan Named Chief Advancement Officer at UC Law SF

Julia Jordan, newly appointed chief advancement officer at UC Law San Francisco, will drive philanthropic efforts to fund scholarships, cutting-edge programs, and state-of-the-art facilities that support faculty and empower students to become leaders in law and justice.

Julia Jordan, a veteran fundraising professional with a track record of leading high-profile donor campaigns, has been named as UC Law San Francisco’s chief advancement officer. Her appointment was announced Monday by Chancellor & Dean David Faigman.

Jordan, who starts at the end of September, has previously held top philanthropy management roles at major Bay Area organizations, where she oversaw multimillion-dollar campaigns to support causes such as early childhood education and affordable home ownership.

“I’m looking forward to building relationships that will allow UC Law San Francisco to continue innovating and expanding opportunities for students,” Jordan said.

At UC Law SF, she will lead donor relations and alumni engagement in the Office of Advancement, which builds critical support for initiatives that fund student scholarships, cutting-edge programs, and more.

“Julia’s depth of experience in high-impact fundraising, coupled with her passion for education and community, make her the ideal choice to lead our advancement team,” Faigman said. “I appreciate that Julia brings strong experience, as well as an important new perspective as we strive to meet the challenges that lie ahead.  We’re thrilled to welcome her to UC Law San Francisco.”

Before joining UC Law SF, Jordan spent four years working for Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, one of the nation’s largest Habitat affiliates. As vice president of development, she led teams focused on fundraising, marketing, and volunteer engagement. Notably, she spearheaded a transformative $100 million fundraising campaign that expanded the ability to offer affordable home ownership to hundreds of Bay Area families.

“Julia’s impressive achievements show that she is a skilled leader who can connect deeply with the community and galvanize support for our law school and students,” said Shashi Deb ’94 of the UC Law SF Board of Directors. “I’m excited to see the difference she will make in our work to enhance our educational programs and prepare students for success.”

Before her time at Habitat, Jordan spent 10 years at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, a children’s museum known for promoting early childhood education and research. Rising to the role of director of development, she managed a $19 million capital campaign that revitalized the museum’s exhibits and facilities. Her innovative approach to fundraising not only enhanced the museum’s offerings but also ensured access for underserved communities through scholarships and discounted admissions.

“Julia’s leadership and commitment to access and equity make her a great fit and complementary addition to UC Law San Francisco,” said Leo Martinez ’78, UC Law SF foundation president and provost emeritus. “She’s worked tirelessly to uplift organizations that serve the public, while advancing opportunity through transformative initiatives.”

Jordan’s passion for fundraising was ignited during her undergraduate years at Whitman College in eastern Washington, where she double-majored in environmental studies and political science, with a minor in Spanish. She worked for Whitman’s phone-a-thon program, where she connected with alumni and parents to raise support for the school.

“That experience lit a spark for me,” she said, noting how she quickly fell in love with the relationship-building aspect of fundraising and the opportunity to support meaningful causes.

Throughout her career, Jordan said she has been drawn to institutions that promote education and innovation – both core pillars of UC Law San Francisco.

“My career has always been driven by the belief that education is the foundation for progress, and I am excited to contribute to UC Law SF’s legacy of advancing legal education and shaping future leaders,” Jordan said.