Nicole Blemberg was announced today as interim chief executive officer for the NMU Foundation following the departure of Brad Canale. The NMU Foundation is the organization that oversees Northern Michigan University's advancement efforts.
Blemberg, a 2004 NMU English graduate, has been a member of the NMU Foundation Board of Directors since Fall 2023. Her interim CEO appointment is effective as of Wednesday (June 25).
“We want to thank Brad Canale, who after guiding the NMU Foundation since 2016, has decided to move on to other endeavors,” said Gavin Leach, NMU's interim president as of July 1. “His leadership and many contributions over the years in supporting NMU's students and programs is appreciated.”
Leach added, “We are also grateful that Nicole, who is familiar with the current work of the NMU Foundation through her service on its board, is available and excited to assist her alma mater at this time of transition. She has had an outstanding career in advancement, and comes highly recommended by her professional colleagues and peers.”
Working in the field for nearly 20 years, Blemberg most recently served as assistant vice president of college & regional advancement at Marquette University (2019-25). There, she also held the roles of assistant vice president of college advancement and senior director of development of college advancement. As a member of Marquette University's advancement leadership team, she served as a critical leader during MU's Time to Rise campaign, which concluded in 2024 surpassing its goal of $750 million. In Fiscal Year 2024, Blemberg led an advancement team in work optimization training and enhanced team metrics to improve overall outcomes, resulting in $65 million in donor support.
Before MU, Blemberg previously did advancement development work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2012-18) where she helped two colleges – the College of Health Science ($800,000) and the College of Nursing ( $2.8 million) – reach their best-ever one-year giving levels. She also oversaw annual giving at Carroll University (2010-12) and Alverno College (2008-10).
She has experience in non-profit administration and as an adjunct professor, teaching organizational development at Alverno (2016-22), where she earned her master's degree.
According to Leach, the timing on a national search for the position will take place once the new NMU president has been selected.