About Me
A seasoned advancement and sales professional, David Carrera has impacted every institution he has served. Born in Heidelberg, Germany, and now calling Santa Barbara, CA home, he has often been described as an embodiment of perseverance and professionalism across his career landscape. His track record in spearheading and directing large fundraising campaigns and an unwavering commitment to integrity sets him apart.
Professional Development
His foray into advancement and sales began with his education at Loyola University, Maryland, culminating in a B.A. in Marketing. Setting the ball rolling for his future successes, he nearly earned an MBA in Finance from the same university. He stopped his graduate studies just short to help care for his second child while commuting daily from Baltimore to Washington, DC. His perseverance and dedication are evident in his academic journey, which laid the foundation for his career.
His accomplishments include the successful launch and strategic direction of a $200M fundraising campaign with an initial $120M raised at American University. His continued determination and steady management helped initiate and complete a $2.4 billion fundraising campaign at Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than half of Johns Hopkins University’s $4.5 billion effort. He was then recruited across the country to the University of Southern California to orchestrate a $2 billion campaign for USC Keck Medicine, part of a $6 billion fundraising effort at USC. Throughout his career, he has upheld the highest standards and integrity, managing multifaceted responsibilities steadily and with noteworthy competence.
Family
If there were one thing that would define his commitment, it would be his family. Carrera has been married for 35 years to Jacqueline Carrera, and together, they have raised three children: two boys, ages 33 and 28, and a girl, 26. The oldest graduated from the University of Maryland Smith School of Business with a double major in Finance and Management Information Systems, the middle son from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business with a degree in Business Administration in Marketing and a minor in the Business of Music Industry from the Thornton School of Music. His youngest daughter received a major in Communication from the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism at USC. The family continues to vacation together annually, spends holidays together, attends many sporting and live music events, and makes fly fishing and skiing trips together. To this day, he and his wife have daily communication with their three adult children and are expecting the arrival of their first grandchild in March 2024.
Personal Interests
While his dedication to his career has been prominent, he also maintains a genuine love for the outdoors. His hobbies range from fly fishing, camping, and hiking to cycling, mountain biking, and motorcycle riding. His active lifestyle includes skiing, his passion for experiencing live music, sporting events, including the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, and multiple events at USC. One passion near his heart is his love and intimate knowledge of the iconic band, The Grateful Dead.
This collage of interests is born from his fundamental belief in enjoying all of life’s pleasures, a testament to his perseverance that assures a balanced life.
Philanthropic Involvement
A fervent believer in giving back, he has always been invested in charitable activities. He and his family have supported numerous causes throughout the years, reflected in their contributions to private school education, higher education, social justice, environmental, and humanitarian causes. His philanthropic commitments include serving as part of USC Good Neighbors, a member of the Board of Directors of the South Baltimore Homeless Shelter, the Fuel Fund of Maryland, Inc., and the Trout Unlimited MD Chapter. He has also been the head coach for several local Maryland soccer clubs and at the School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. His deep-rooted commitment to teaching is a clear testament to his strong sense of dedication and perseverance beyond his professional endeavors.
David Carrera’s tale is undeniably a story of unwavering dedication. He lives out these virtues daily, from some of the country’s most significant fundraising efforts and success in sales and mentorship in the corporate sector to generous community service and adherence to a fulfilling lifestyle.
