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Wes Patterson
Assistant Dean, Advancement, USC Viterbi; Representing USC in the Bay Area
Wes Patterson serves as the Assistant Dean for Advancement at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, part of the University of Southern California. He has been with USC for over 12 years, starting as the director of advancement for the Viterbi School and later leading the school's major gift team. In 2021, he completed his tenure at Viterbi as the interim chief development officer before advancing to his current role as Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives within USC Advancement.13
Patterson's career in fundraising began immediately after college, driven by a desire to engage in mission-driven work. His early experiences included selling candy bars in school and working on commission in college, which solidified his commitment to a career in fundraising.1 At USC, he focuses on raising principal gifts for initiatives like the Frontiers of Computing, a significant $1 billion initiative aimed at advancing computing research and education.24
Wes emphasizes the importance of values such as authenticity, commitment, and lifelong learning in his professional life. He believes that building trust and investing in relationships are crucial for success in fundraising.15 Outside of work, he is involved in coaching his daughters and actively participates in their Girl Scout activities, particularly in cookie sales.1
