Diane Metcalf was named Harvard Director of Development, Athletics, by Erin McDermott, The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics, and Beth Thompson, Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Assistant Dean of Development, in January of 2024.
Metcalf, who worked at Harvard from 2003-09, returned to Cambridge following stints at New Hampshire and more recently, Merrimack College.
Metcalf rejoined the Crimson after a successful five years at Merrimack (2018-23), where she served as Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator. During her time in North Andover, Metcalf helped lead the Warriors' four-year NCAA Division I reclassification process, while serving as the primary sport administrator for 19 of Merrimack's 28 varsity programs. A key member of Merrimack's leadership team, Metcalf played a crucial role in the Warriors' strategic planning, department initiatives, human resources practices, revenue generation, program evaluations, gender equity, DEI, and compliance reviews. Metcalf was also the administrative liaison to Merrimack's Athletics Diversity Committee, while serving as a member of the Merrimack Persons of Color Committee and President's DEI Council.
After leaving Harvard in 2009, Metcalf ventured north to the University of New Hampshire as UNH's Director of Athletics Annual Giving. In her role, Metcalf developed annual sport-specific fundraising goals, communication strategies and targeted engagement opportunities for the UNH community. Two years later, Metcalf was elevated to the Wildcats' Director of Athletics Development, leading the development team to create fundraising goals and strategies for annual, major and planned giving, while aligning with the university's campaign priorities. Metcalf left her mark on the athletics department, establishing its Athletics Campaign Steering Committee and initiated Wildcat Mentors, a career networking program. Metcalf and her team exceeded the athletic department's $20 million goal within five years of the university's seven-year campaign, grew annual giving and its endowed scholarship fund, and raised several million dollars for numerous capital projects, including Wildcat Stadium, the home to UNH Football.
In her first stint with the Crimson, which began in 2003 as an Assistant Director of Athletics before earning a promotion to Associate A.D. in 2005, Metcalf worked with Harvard's Director of Athletics in partnership with the University Development Office and FAS Development on fundraising priorities and stewardship strategies. In her role, Metcalf forged partnerships across Harvard's Alumni Affairs and Development team to ensure engagement activities and fundraising strategies were in alignment with FAS and university priorities, while working with the Harvard Varsity Club to support initiatives and special events. Similar to her time at UNH, Metcalf found creative ways to engage the Crimson community. Metcalf executed the first incentivized-based annual alumnae giving program, resulting in an eight-percent increase in participation the first year and nearly tripling the number of $1,000 gifts over four years. She also led the HRFWA phone-a-thon, which raised over $25,000 over two nights for Harvard's women's programs. In addition to her fundraising efforts, Metcalf served as a program supervisor for nine varsity teams and was the department's admissions liaison with the university.
Prior to Metcalf coming to Harvard, she spent four years at fellow Ivy League member Dartmouth as an Assistant Director of Athletics (1999-2002) before being elevated to the associate role (2002-03). Arriving in Hanover in 1999, Metcalf oversaw nine varsity teams along with event management, the strength and conditioning program, and the Big Green's equipment operations, while providing wide-ranging leadership for Dartmouth's 34 intercollegiate teams. Metcalf also served as the department's master scheduler, approving all competition schedules and administering game contracts.
Metcalf received her start in college athletics at her alma mater Michigan. First serving as an Athletic Administrative Intern (1996-97), Metcalf was quickly named Manager of Events and Championships (1997-99). During her time in Ann Arbor, Metcalf oversaw event management for 16 sports and served as the championship director for six NCAA championships and eight Big Ten tournaments.
As an undergraduate, Metcalf was a member of the Wolverines' gymnastics team and was well-accomplished. She served as UM team captain in 1991 and 1992, while earning All-America honors, Academic All-Big Ten accolades and Michigan's Athletic Academic Achievement Award in both of those seasons. Metcalf also guided the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship as a senior in 1992.
Metcalf graduated from Michigan in '92, with a Bachelor of Science in Movement Science and obtained her Master of Science in Health Promotion Management from American University in 1995.
