It is with mixed emotions that I announce Lavarr Barnett will be leaving the University of Notre Dame and the Southwest team to start his next great adventure. Starting in September, Lavarr will be serving as the Vice President of Investor Relations at Summit Equity Investments, a private equity company based in Los Angeles. The Barnett family will continue to reside in the Michiana area.

Lavarr’s last day will be Friday, July 16. Please join me in congratulating Lavarr on this incredible next step in his career!

Best, Shelby

I am pleased to announce that effective July 1, RaeLee Rea will be promoted as Associate Program Director, Gift Planning Administration. In addition to RaeLee’s continued management of the Donor Advised Fund program and the DAF Portal, RaeLee’s role will be formally expanded to include responsibility for administration of realized estate gifts from benefactors’ estates and trusts, preparation of the new Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) quarterly reports, review and revision of trust instruments, Gift Planning agreements, designations, and other legal documents, and approval of Gift Planning documents prior to execution by the University. RaeLee will also continue to partner with the Controller’s Office, Gift Management, and Stewardship in management of these Gift Planning programs.

In fulfilling these expanded responsibilities, Gift Planning is thrilled to be adding Carolyn Hardman who will transition to Development Associate, Gift Planning Administration, as of July 1st. In this Gift Planning role, Carolyn will work with RaeLee to continue the growth and streamlining of the DAF program and DAF data, aid in the processing and administration of realized estate/trust gifts, and help develop a comprehensive gift processing plan for families of deceased Gift Planning benefactors. Carolyn will also cross-train regional Development Coordinators in Gift Planning processes, assist with coordinating and sending the new electronic CRT statements, and further develop procedures and processes for Gift Planning.

-Rich Naponelli

I am excited to announce that Shaheen Goldrick will be joining the Southwest team as Regional Director, working with benefactors in Denver. She will be transitioning from her role as the Director of Corporate Relations on July 6.

Shaheen has been with the University for four years and previously was the Director of Business Development at 2020 Women on Boards. She has also been serving as a committee chair for the UR DEIU Task Force since its inception in August 2020.

Shaheen graduated from Notre Dame in 1994 with a degree in Sociology and Gender Studies Concentration.

Welcome to the SouthBEST team, Shaheen!

Best, Shelby

REMINDER:

There will be a repair to the 1st floor ramp in the ESC Parking Garage on Wednesday, June 30th from 8am-5pm. During this repair, there will be a complete blockage of the ramp from the first to the second floor for both directions. If your car is on the second, third, or fourth floor and you will need to use it that day, please move to the first floor by Wednesday, June 30th at 7am.

It is our pleasure to welcome Terrell Robinson, Denise Moulds, Michelle Jones, and Jessica DeFina to the Development Coordinator team. Terrell, Denise, and Michelle will start on July 1st, and Jessica on July 6th.

 

Terrell comes to us from Eugene, Oregon where he worked extensively in athletics at both the K-12 and collegiate levels. He has a Master of Arts degree in Sports & Athletic Administration from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Oregon. Terrell is looking forward to moving to the Midwest with his wife and 2 children and cannot wait for ND football to begin!

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Denise joins the team with a collective 14 years of experience at Notre Dame. Most recently, she worked as a HERE Ambassador and was with the Irish 1/Campus Card office for seven years before that as their Business Manager. Denise has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Western Governors University. She is excited to bring a wide range of administrative and campus experience to Development.

 

Michelle comes to us from Hoosier Environmental Council in Indianapolis where she most recently worked as a Development Associate. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, South Bend in Sustainability Studies with a Minor in History. Michelle is excited about being able to bring her development experience to Notre Dame.

 

Jessica comes to us from campus where she worked as an Event Specialist for Venue ND. She is also a Certified Wedding Planner. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, Bloomington in Tourism and Hospitality. Jessica is excited about this career change which will allow her to enjoy free weekends with her new son and husband.

 

Please join us in welcoming Terrell, Denise, Michelle, and Jessica!

 

Angie, Noell, Anita, and Deena

Please join me in congratulating Zach Thurston on his engagement! Last Sunday, June 20, Zach asked his now-fiance, Emma, to marry him in Saint Augustine, Florida (she obviously said yes!). One of Emma’s bucket list items has been to swim with dolphins, and Zach sneakily used that activity to formulate the perfect way to propose. We’re so excited for you two!

– Lauren Dolzan

UR Team-

Our extraordinary colleague, Janet Jessup, will be retiring next week. Janet has been an incredible member of the UR Development team. Her warmth, teamwork, leadership, and presence will be deeply missed. Janet has built strong relationships internally and externally with benefactors and leaves a beautiful legacy, as her contributions will be valued and remembered.

Janet is Notre Dame through and through — a grad, employee, married to a grad and ND Mom — and I’m confident we will see Janet around town and on-campus, whether at a yoga class, a long walk or cheering on the Irish on gameday. Upon retirement, Janet and her husband Scott are headed on a month-long, cross-country, camping adventure.

Please join me in congratulating Janet as she moves on to this next phase of life. Congratulations Janet!

Cheers!
Anne

Please note that the rules regarding parking at ESC remain unchanged except regarding the June 30th closure. Vehicles cannot be parked in the street spots for longer than two hours, and those parking in the garage must park above the “bump” on the ramp (no first floor parking) and not in any reserved spots on the 2nd level. The building manager will begin issuing tickets to vehicles that do not abide by these rule next week.

There will be a repair to the 1st floor ramp in the Eddy Street Parking Garage on Wednesday, June 30th from 8am-5pm. During this repair, there will be a complete blockage of the ramp from the first to the second floor for both directions. If your car is on the second, third, or fourth floor and you will need to use it that day, please move to the first floor by Wednesday, June 30th at 7am.

Congratulations to Patty and Ryan Kokesh on the birth of their new son!

Martin (Marty) Joseph Kokesh joined team Kokesh on Sunday, June 20th.

He weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 oz and was 20 3/4″

The whole family is doing great! Best wishes to the happy Kokesh family!

-The Information Technology and Services team