David Wu

President & CEO, Special Olympics Washington

David C. Wu brings to the Special Olympics Washington more than 30 years of professional experience in development, marketing communications and public affairs. Special Olympics is a catalyst for inclusion across the globe. The organization engages 6.7 million participants with intellectual disabilities and partners in more than 193 countries.

Prior to joining the Special Olympics Washington, David served as the Chief Development and Membership Officer at the San Diego Zoo Global. In his role, David provided strategic leadership to mobilize multiple revenue streams for sound operational management and financial growth and sustainability, and to engage more people from diverse sectors by cultivating their passion for saving species. He lead an interdisciplinary and innovative division spanning the departments of membership programs, individual and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, special events and member and donor services.

David also served as Chief Advancement Officer at Woodland Park Zoo, where he provided overall leadership for a highly integrated group of professionals in the fields of communications, development, membership, marketing, and government relations. Is this role he provided overarching leadership for three major campaigns focused on elevating the zoo as a conservation organization, expanding public support, and elevating private support through a $120 million comprehensive campaign.

David previously served as Chief Development Officer for PATH, an international nonprofit that transforms global health through innovation. In this role he led PATH in achieving its first $125 million comprehensive campaign and increased private support by 250% in four years.

As the Acting VP for Advancement and the Associate Vice President for Campaign and Development Programs at the University of Washington (UW), David provided leadership and direction for a comprehensive campaign with a goal of $2 billion over eight years that ultimately exceeded $2.8 billion. His past service also includes UCLA and Seattle University.

David is a former member of both the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the CASE District VII Board of Trustees. He served as a CASE faculty member for the Summer Institute for Fundraising at Dartmouth College and acted as a Visiting Expert with The Chinese University of Hong Kong Philanthropy/Fundraising Resource and Advisory Unit. He is currently a member of two national boards, Global Impact and the Association of American Museums: Development and Membership.

David received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Tech, and his master’s degree in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University.