Global Health Development Director, Swimmer is Blue Devil of the Week

Josh Bond

Josh Bond at the transition area of the Alcatraz Challenge, which involved swimming from Alcatraz to Chrissy Field and then running across the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Photo courtesy of Josh Bond.

Published October 14, 2013, last updated on April 9, 2018

Posted on Duke Today

Name: Josh Bond
Position: Director of Development, Duke Global Health Institute.
Years at Duke: 5

What I do at Duke: I coordinate fundraising across Duke on behalf of the Duke Global Health Institute. As part of the DukeForward campaign, the Initiative in Global Health has a goal of raising $80 million. That involves working with development officers and donors across the institution because we have faculty and students at all the different schools at Duke interested in education and research about health disparities.

How I got into the development field: It was purely by accident. I volunteered in the development office at State University of New York as an undergraduate and it turned into a full time job.

How I got to Duke: I was recruited to Fuqua from the University of Virginia. I had never been to Duke but thought I'd check it out. When I got here, I fell in love with the school, the friendly people, the entrepreneurial spirit - the whole place.

The best advice I ever received: When I was 18, my grandfather talked with me about setting goals and showed me goals he had written over the years. He told me plans and goals could change, but a vision of what you want can help propel you forward. I've been keeping goals every year since then. I look at them every year around the time of my birthday.

My first ever paid job: Camp counselor, lifeguard and sailing instructor at the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan.

To start a conversation with me, ask about: Rescuing dogs. I have two rescued dogs: Buster, a schnauzer-cocker spaniel mix, and Ollie, a cocker-poodle mix.

When I'm not at work, I like to: Swim. I compete in open water swimming and hope to compete this year in races in San Francisco and Bermuda. I swim regularly at the Faculty Club, and also at Jordan Lake and the quarry by Eno River.

If I had $5 million, I would: Set up a graduate fellowship for domestic and international students at Duke. I have a soft spot for graduate work at Duke ever since I completed the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) here in 2008.

A memorable day at Duke: Graduating from MALS was truly special. I felt like I more formally became a part of the Duke community at that moment.

Something unique in my office: I have a sculpture of a flying pig given to me by a friend who knew that I like to believe in the impossible.

A special person in my life: My high school English teacher has become my mentor. We speak several times a week about careers and shared interest in architecture, antiques, dogs and other topics.

Something most people don't know about me: I studied acting in New York for two years. I decided to quit because I knew I'd be a lousy waiter.