New vice chancellor arrives at Palmer College

Palmer College of Chiropractic is shaped by leaders who believe deeply in its mission and invest their talent and vision in its future. This winter, Palmer marked a meaningful transition within institutional advancement and alumni relations with the retirement of one leader and the arrival of another.

After nearly a decade of service to the College — and decades devoted to nonprofit and higher education advancement — Barbara Melbourne, J.D., retired as vice chancellor for institutional advancement at the end of January. Her tenure at Palmer was transformational. Under her leadership, the College strengthened a culture of philanthropy grounded in purpose and belief, clarified a bold institutional narrative, and completed the most successful fundraising effort in its history: the $30.2 million “Daring and Driven” campaign. That work supported major capital improvements, expanded endowment growth, and deepened engagement with alumni and donors across Palmer’s campuses.

Palmer also looks ahead with optimism. After a national search, Clare Thompson, CFR, has been appointed vice chancellor for institutional advancement, bringing more than 20 years of experience in advancement, alumni relations, and organizational leadership. Thompson is no stranger to Palmer. During her earlier service as executive director of advancement, she played a central role in the same “Daring and Driven” campaign and helped significantly increase fundraising outcomes and alumni participation.

“Clare brings both deep institutional knowledge and a forward-looking vision to this role,” says Palmer Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D. (`90). “She understands Palmer’s mission at a fundamental level and has a proven ability to translate that mission into meaningful relationships, philanthropic investment, and lasting impact. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the College at this pivotal moment.”

Most recently, Thompson served as vice president for advancement, alumni relations, and athletics at Western Illinois University, where she led a comprehensive advancement enterprise and guided strategy during a period of institutional change. Collaborative and mission-driven, she returns to Palmer with a strong understanding that advancement is ultimately about people, purpose, and impact.

Promotion expands Palmer support for alumni

Palmer College of Chiropractic has named Amy Kuboushek as the next director of alumni, annual giving, and association relations, expanding her leadership role within the College’s advancement efforts. Kuboushek brings a relationship-centered approach to the position, shaped by her work connecting students and alumni with professional associations, industry partners, and one another. In her previous role, she focused on building bridges across the chiropractic profession — helping students engage earlier with state and national associations and ensuring alumni remain connected to resources that support practice success and lifelong learning.

Kuboushek, a former business owner herself, understands the realities graduates face as they launch and grow their careers. That perspective informs her work strengthening alumni engagement, philanthropic participation, and partnerships that benefit the Palmer community. In her new role, Kuboushek will lead efforts to deepen alumni relationships, grow participation in the annual fund, and strengthen connections with chiropractic associations nationwide, supporting Palmer’s mission and reinforcing alumni as essential partners in the College’s future.

“Palmer alumni are vital partners in everything we do,” Kuboushek says. “My focus is on strengthening those relationships, so graduates feel connected, supported, and confident that Palmer is invested in their success at every stage of their careers.”

Two new faces in the Alumni and Advancement Office

The Palmer College of Chiropractic Alumni and Advancement Office recently welcomed two new directors of development to its fundraising team. 

Anni Summers, director of development for the West Coast region, joins Palmer with a solid foundation in nonprofit work through her previous experiences at United Way Quad Cities and Children and Family Urban Movement in Des Moines, Iowa. “My background in fundraising, relationship-building, and strategic outreach prepared me to step confidently into this role and connect authentically with alumni,” says Summers. “I’m especially excited to play a part in strengthening lifelong connections to the College and continuing the legacy of where chiropractic began.”

Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Dan Baker, MBA, CFRE, joined Palmer with an impressive portfolio of over 25 years of fundraising experience in human services, health care, and higher education, including his most recent role as senior development director at Millikin University. “In this role, I’m excited to combine my background in health care and higher education,” says Baker, who serves as director of development in the Midwest. “It’s a true pleasure to work with Palmer’s passionate base of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to move the College forward and keep it as The Trusted Leader in Chiropractic Education®.”