Scarlett Powers Osterling, a recognized leader in nonprofit management and fund development, has joined the USC School of Social Work as senior associate dean of advancement to lead the school in its external relations and the Campaign for the University of Southern California, the university’s most ambitious fundraising effort to advance its academic priorities and expand its positive impact on the community and world.

Osterling has held senior management posts with leading academic, social service and health care organizations in Southern California for more than 25 years, building development programs from the ground up and raising hundreds of millions of dollars.

“Scarlett Osterling represents the highest level of professionalism, experience and enthusiasm in nonprofit management and fund development,” said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the School of Social Work. “She brings a spirit of confidence combined with knowledge that will be an inspiration to us all.” 

Osterling, who holds a Master of Social Work in Non-Profit Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago, was most recently executive vice president of be.group, a nonprofit system based in Glendale, Calif., that provides housing and healthcare services for seniors. There she helmed the marketing and communications efforts in conjunction with serving as president of the organization’s foundation, where she developed and managed all aspects of a comprehensive, multi-site fundraising program.

Osterling has served as senior vice president of institutional advancement at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., where she was responsible for the development and management of the college’s first comprehensive international advancement program in its history. Osterling has also held leading development and management roles at Saint John’s Health Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Children’s Bureau of Southern California and California Hospital Medical Center.