Timothy Minor is a senior higher education leader with more than three decades of experience advancing philanthropy, institutional strength, and economic impact across public and private institutions. He currently serves as President and CEO of the University System of Maryland Foundation (USMF) and Vice Chancellor for Advancement for the University System of Maryland (USM), where he leads efforts to strengthen the long-term philanthropic and financial sustainability of Maryland’s public higher education system.

In this dual role, Timothy oversees the USM Foundation’s $2.52 billion portfolio (as of June 30, 2025), including a $2.4 billion endowment and $89 million in operating funds. He provides strategic leadership for investment oversight, asset management, and stewardship, ensuring resources are aligned to support the system’s academic, research, and student success priorities. As Vice Chancellor for Advancement, he guides systemwide fundraising strategy, strengthens donor and partner engagement,
and collaborates with institutional leaders and governing boards to expand opportunities across Maryland’s public universities.

Previously, Timothy served as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at North Carolina A&T State University, the nation’s largest historically Black university. In this role, he led the development of cross-sector partnerships uniting industry, government, and academia to drive workforce development, research collaboration, and economic growth. His leadership contributed to sustained increases in private support and
measurable economic impact for the university and the state of North Carolina.

Prior to his tenure at NC A&T, Timothy was Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, where he helped accelerate the organization’s growth into one of the nation’s leading funders of innovative cancer research. From 2013 to 2021, he served as Vice President for University Advancement for the University of North Carolina System, providing strategic leadership and administrative oversight for external funding across all 16 public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. During his final three years in that role, the UNC System and its institutions raised more than $1 billion annually.

Earlier in his career, Timothy held senior advancement leadership roles at North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC-Chapel Hill, he contributed to the success of the $500 million Bicentennial

Campaign and the $2.3 billion Carolina First Campaign. He began his career in higher education development at Emory University. A trusted strategist and relationship builder, Timothy is recognized for creating high-performing teams and cultivating partnerships that deliver measurable, mission-aligned results. He is an active civic and professional leader, having served on the CASE District III Cabinet, the AdvanceNC Executive Board, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Board, among other advisory and nonprofit boards.

The proud father of two teenage sons, Timothy brings the same commitment to mentorship and community that he demonstrated as a youth football coach - building character, fostering teamwork, and helping young people prepare for future success.

Geminesse “Gem” Johnson brings more than 15 years of development experience with a focus on advancement of medicine and scientific research. She currently serves as the Director of Major Gifts at Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health in Palo Alto, CA. Gem also spent many years with Weill Cornell Medical College, as well as John Hopkins School of Medicine, where she supported key initiatives by building and implementing philanthropic programs in the Institude for Basic Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Neurology. Gem earned a Master of Healthcare Administration from George Washington University, School of Public Health in 2018. When not fundraising to advance children's health, Gem loves to travel, cook and has a passion for music as she is a classically trained pianist and vocalist.