Dear colleagues:

I am happy to announce that the Special Events & Stewardship unit is now fully staffed! We have hired Amanda Retartha as an assistant director, and Amy Thomas as the stewardship writer/editor.

A Double Domer with a B.A. and M.A. in English, Amanda Retartha recently earned her Ph.D. from New York University in English and American Literature. A true academic, Amanda will be responsible for the stewardship programs for endowed professorships and the University Libraries. While at Notre Dame, she interned at Ave Maria Press, and worked for Academic Services for Student Athletes. At New York University, Amanda interned at Scholastic, Inc., and served as an adjunct instructor/teaching assistant as well as an assistant to the Dean of their School of Law, where she wrote acknowledgments and other correspondence. In Special Events & Stewardship, Amanda will also write acknowledgments, serve as a strategic partner to the East Region of Development, and assist with departmental events.  Amanda and her husband Jonathan (an assistant director of Annual Giving and Strategic Marketing) reside in South Bend.

Amy Thomas, a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy, earned her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Notre Dame in 2011. Amy returns to the University from Press Ganey Associates, where she was recently serving as an account manager, responsible for 58 clients and a caseload of over $3 million. Before this role, she had served as an adjunct faculty member at both Indiana University South Bend and Lake Michigan College, where she taught composition, creative writing, and introductory literature courses. Her excellent project management skills and extensive writing background will assist her in this new role, as she will be preparing acknowledgments, editing annual endowment report updates for the academy, and writing for many audiences. Amy will serve as a strategic partner to the Midwest Region of Development and assist with departmental events. She is a native of Detroit and currently resides in South Bend, where she enjoys writing, gardening, and yoga in her spare time.

Amanda (starting on July 21) and Amy (starting on July 28) will report directly to Heather Moriconi and will be housed at Eddy Street Commons. Please join me in welcoming them to the Department of Development.

Warm regards,

Katherine Lane

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce an organizational change effective July 1 for Corporate Relations. Corporate Relations will now be led by Jeff Arnold. Jeff will lead the entire corporate relations group (Gary Girzadas, Jean Collier and Cathy Windeatt) in working directly with faculty to understand, synthesize, and articulate research for a development audience. Jeff will also direct the CR team in proactively identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporations on a local, regional, national, and international level. In addition to the above responsibilities, Jeff will continue to manage a personal portfolio of corporate relationships, as well as the overall portfolio of the entire team, leading the planning and implementation of major fundraising efforts on behalf of the CR’s faculty constituents and in support of other University priorities.

Please join me in congratulating Jeff on his expanded role.

In Notre Dame,

George Keegan, Senior Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Please join us in saying farewell to Mike Rodio this afternoon (Thursday). We will be gathering at O’Rourke’s at the end of the work day.

All please be advised that Eddy Street will be closed July 10th, from 12pm – 10pm for the Music Fest Battle of the Bands Concert.  Access to Eddy Street Parking Garage will be directed towards the south Napolean entrance and east Burns St entrance. This event will be FREE along with FREE Parking during these time frames. 

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce a few organizational changes effective immediately for Annual Giving and Strategic Marketing (AGSM).  These changes are a result of a continued alignment in the structure of the team to support the primary goals of driving philanthropy and donor growth,  as well as alignment with the goals of our OAD process.

The new organization will have three primary teams:

Annual Giving Funds – This group will drive revenue, participation and donor satisfaction for each of the funds in Annual Giving.  It will include the Notre Dame Fund, Sorin Society, Badin Guild, Athletics Annual Giving, Law Annual Giving and MBA Annual Giving.  This team will be lead by Amy Schell.

Operations and Technology – This group will include all of the core capabilities required to engage and develop relationships with prospects and donors including: Online Technology, Direct Mail, Phone Center, Marketing & CRM Tools, Analytics & Reporting, Data and List Management, and Donor Experience. This team will be lead by Mark Naman.

Strategic Marketing – This group will lead engagement and development of prospects and donors in segments critical to our donor growth and revenue goals.  It will include segment leaders for Young Alumni, Alumni 21+ years out, Parents Program, Student Philanthropy and the Proud to Be ND program.  We will be posting the Director role for the leader of this team.

Please join me in congratulating Amy and Mark on their expanded roles, and thanking Kevin Madden for his service as Director of Recognition Societies.

In Notre Dame,

Brian Couch, Sr. Director, Annual Giving & Strategic Marketing

The technology in the Family Room that was damaged by lightning has been repaired and is available for use again. Please let ESC OIT know if you experience any problems. Thank you.

Congratulations  to  George and Bryanne Keegan on the birth of Georgia Elise Keegan.  Little Georgia arrived on Saturday June 27^th at 10:32am weighing in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches tall.  Mother and baby are doing great and Georgia is being surrounded by loving older siblings Jenny, Jack, Emily and Brady.