MsSam Thorpe

Samantha (Sam) Thorpe is Deputy Director, Trusts, Foundations and Corporates at Imperial College London, where she leads strategic partnerships with charitable trusts, foundations, corporations and philanthropic organisations globally in support of the university's world-leading research, education and innovation priorities.

With nearly 20 years of experience spanning fundraising, fundraising consultancy and project management, Sam has helped secure funding for more than 25 organisations across higher education, healthcare, scientific research, social impact and the arts. Throughout her career, she has secured significant philanthropic investment for institutional priorities, developed and implemented fundraising strategies, and worked closely with academic and organisational leaders to launch new initiatives, strengthen funding pipelines and build lasting donor partnerships.

Before joining Imperial College London, Sam held advancement and development roles at leading U.S. universities, including The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas at Austin. She has experience leading major fundraising campaigns, and with trust and foundation fundraising, corporate partnerships, prospect development and stakeholder engagement.  She has extensive experience supporting complex capital campaigns and infrastructure projects, having worked on projects that have helped bring over a dozen academic, healthcare and community facilities from concept and fundraising through to successful completion. She is passionate about connecting visionary funders with transformative opportunities that accelerate discovery, innovation and societal impact.

At Imperial, Sam works across a broad portfolio of academic and research priorities, supporting partnerships that advance breakthroughs in health, science, engineering, sustainability and entrepreneurship, while expanding the university's global network of philanthropic and corporate supporters. Originally from the United States, Sam relocated to the UK with her husband, son and golden retriever. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, gardening and exploring the outdoors with her family.