Forty Under 40: Becca Bradley

Russellville native Becca Bradley has lived on the East and West coasts for careers in politics and philanthropic fundraising, focusing on higher education and healthcare.

In December, she joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as director of development. In five months, she delivered seven major gift proposals from individuals, foundations and corporations. She managed creating and submitting a $1.95 million gift proposal to Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas.

She was promoted to her current role in May and oversees developing a strategic fundraising plan to identify, cultivate and solicit philanthropic gifts and grants.

Previously, she was associate director of development for the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. She raised more than $6 million across the UA System for diversity, equity and inclusion, student support, healthcare access and behavioral health.

Between November 2017 and October 2018, she served as associate director for philanthropy at UW Medicine in Seattle. She also was executive assistant to the CEO at Spanx in Atlanta.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from the UA in 2008, Bradley moved to Washington, D.C., to work for U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. She served in multiple roles, including scheduler, until 2014. She also worked as a development assistant for NPR at its headquarters.

She’s active in the UA’s iFriend Program and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families Soup Sunday planning committee. In October 2020, she received the certified fundraising executive credential from CFRE International. She plans to complete a Master of Higher Education from the UA in May 2022. Bradley enjoys podcasts and Northwest Arkansas craft beer.