Rishell Named Executive Director of Development and External Relations

After a thorough search, the McCombs School has hired Michael W. Rishell as executive director in the Office of Development and External Relations. He comes to McCombs from the University of Arizona and brings 20 years of experience, having previously worked at Ohio State, Penn State and the University of Kansas.

He also recently provided leadership for the Broad School of Business’ $125 million fundraising campaign at Michigan State University, where he is currently a Ph.D. candidate. In addition, as executive director of External Relations and campaign director, he developed the initial planning for a $400 million campaign at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

“I’m looking forward to what we will be able to accomplish in coming years,” Rishell says. “Under the new leadership of Dean Gilligan, we have several inspiring initiatives to share with friends and alumni of the university.”

Rishell holds degrees from Vanderbilt University and Wichita State University. His integral role in several major campaigns throughout his career gives him invaluable experience at the start of the university’s capital campaign, according to David Onion, associate vice president for development for the university.

“His background has prepared him well for leadership in developing unprecedented levels of philanthropic support for the McCombs School,” says Onion.

Rishell and his family, wife Ann and their daughter Sabine, relocated to Austin this fall from Arizona.