Palmer College of Chiropractic announces leadership transition

Palmer College of Chiropractic announced that Barbara Melbourne, JD, vice chancellor for institutional advancement, will retire at the end of January following a distinguished career in higher education and nonprofit advancement.

The College also announced that Clare Thompson, CFRE, has been appointed as Palmer’s next vice chancellor for institutional advancement.

Melbourne has served Palmer College for nearly a decade and has been a driving force behind the institution’s most successful fundraising and engagement efforts in history, most notably the historic $30.2 million “Daring and Driven” campaign that drove major capital improvements and endowment growth for the College and its two campuses. Under her leadership, Palmer strengthened its culture of philanthropy, expanded alumni and donor engagement, and clarified a bold institutional narrative centered on Palmer’s mission of advancing a world of unlimited health and human potential.

“Barb’s impact on Palmer College is profound and lasting,” said Dennis Marchiori, DC, PhD, chancellor and CEO. “She is a rare leader who combines strategic excellence with deep humanity. Her work has advanced this institution and inspired belief in our mission, our future and in the people who make Palmer what it is. We are deeply grateful for her service and leadership.”

Melbourne’s influence extends beyond campaign success to mentorship, team development, and national leadership within the advancement profession. Her retirement marks the conclusion of a career defined by purpose, integrity, and transformational leadership. “It has been an extraordinary honor to serve Palmer College,” Melbourne said. “This institution, its alumni, and its mission have meant so much to me. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and deeply grateful for the relationships that have shaped my time here. Palmer’s future is bright, and I look forward to cheering it on in the years ahead.”

Meet Clare Thompson, CFRE

Succeeding Melbourne is Clare Thompson, CFRE, an experienced advancement leader with more than 20 years in fundraising and alumni relations. Thompson previously served at Palmer as executive director of advancement, where she played a central role in the “Daring and Driven” campaign and significantly increased philanthropic support and alumni participation. Most recently, she served as vice president for advancement, alumni relations and athletics at Western Illinois University.

“Clare brings exceptional experience, deep institutional knowledge and a collaborative leadership style,” Marchiori said. “She understands Palmer, she understands advancement and she understands the importance of aligning generosity with mission. We are confident she is the right leader to build on Barb’s legacy and guide Palmer’s advancement efforts forward.”

Thompson is excited to hit the ground running, filled with gratitude for the opportunity to return to Palmer and work with alumni and donors to move the College’s strategic priorities forward. “Palmer College holds a special place in my heart,” Thompson said. “I am honored to step into this role and continue to grow generosity and alumni participation. I look forward to working with alumni, donors and partners to advance Palmer’s mission and support the students and communities we serve.”

The transition reflects Palmer College’s commitment to continuity, mission-driven leadership and sustained philanthropic growth as the institution continues to shape the future of chiropractic education and healthcare.

“The work of engaging alumni in the future of our great institution is both deeply meaningful and critically important to our future, and I’m excited for what’s next,” Marchiori added.

About Palmer College of Chiropractic

Palmer College of Chiropractic is the world’s first and largest chiropractic college. We lead with world-class education, groundbreaking research, and hands-on training. We create the next generation of clinicians, prepared to advance patient care, relieve pain, and improve lives — without the use of drugs or surgery.