The Oregonian
August 28th, 2015
The president of Portland State University's fundraising arm and the school's chief development officer are resigning after pursuing a $100 million gift from a self-described billionaire who turned out to be a recently bankrupt bitcoin dealer known for peddling grandiose schemes.
Francoise Aylmer will resign as president and chief executive officer of the PSU Foundation, effective Sept. 1, "to pursue other interests," according to a statement issued Friday. She will also relinquish her position as Portland State vice president of advancement.
Kristin Coppola, an 18-year career fundraiser and former businesswoman, also resigned. She made $170,000 a year.
Mark Rosenbaum, PSU Foundation board chairman, said neither executive was fired and both submitted their resignations voluntarily. He declined to comment on whether they received settlements.
The resignations come as Portland State leaders are trying to raise $300 million in the school's largest-ever fundraising campaign. The public university, a former commuter school, badly needs a financial boost after years of reduced state funding, minimal private giving compared to peers, service cuts and tuition hikes bitterly opposed by students.