Dear Friends,

I wanted to share two quick celebratory notes regarding Conor Montijo, albeit one is much more a cause for celebration for us in UR than the other!

Firstly, I want to congratulate Conor and Molly (Reidy), who recently celebrated one month since their marriage! They were married by Molly’s brother in the Basilica with their closest family and friends and we could not be happier for the newlyweds. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness!

Secondly, I write to share that Conor will join ND Innovates as Program Director, effective September 13, with his last day in Development being September 10th. In his new capacity, Conor will serve as the Assessment lead, empowering partners from cross-functional teams to assess problems, design solutions, and implement those solutions at scale across the University in pursuit of cost savings that can be directed to financial aid. Please join me in wishing Conor all the best on this next chapter of his career. His genuine candor, professionalism and embodiment of the Notre Dame Mission will be missed!

We will be looking to hire Conor’s replacement for the Associate Director, Sorin Society role within the next couple of weeks. Please let me know directly if you have any questions!

In Notre Dame,
Pablo

Please note that the AAD & Liaison List included in today’s souNDoff is outdated. For the most up-to-date list of AADs and Liaisons to work with, please use the following document:

AAD and Liason Information v2 (1)

It is my pleasure to welcome Isabel Dance to the Development Coordinator team. Isabel started with us on August 23rd.

Isabel most recently worked as a recruiter for Aerotek in South Bend, Indiana. She also worked part-time at the Loft and is very into fashion. Before the pandemic, she volunteered at the Saint Mary’s Convent as Volunteer Leader for sisters affected with dementia. She planned many activities there including several fashion shows!

Isabel has a Bachelor of Science degree in Retail Management with a minor in Communications from Purdue University. She can’t wait for the ND v. Purdue game in a few weeks!

Isabel and her husband, Austin, who also works for the University at the Warren Golf Course, reside in South Bend.

Please join me in welcoming Isabel!

Anita Sareen

I am thrilled to welcome Laura Marks to the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team as our new Project Manager. Laura’s first day in the office was Monday, August 23rd.

Laura grew up in Hawaii and moved to the area when she was 15, and has been a South Bend native ever since! She’s spent the past six years at Pathfinders Advertising, an advertising agency in the Mishawaka area. Her experience at Pathfinders has lent to her robust background in strategic marketing and project management skills, and ability to take on fast-paced work with ease. We have no doubt that Laura is going to take this role by the horns and lead our team well.

Please join me in welcoming Laura to the team!

Cheers,

Lauren Dolzan

UR Team,

Please note that Thursday, September 2 will be Devon Aragona’s last day on the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team. Devon will be taking her experience and skillset to International Justice Mission (IJM) as their digital marketing lead.

We are grateful for Devon’s many contributions to our team the past three years, including elevating our @NDLoyal social media brand and presence, rallying behind and supporting student groups in their crowd-funding efforts, and leading the charge on Notre Dame Day’s giving website and digital needs. Beyond her work efforts, we will miss her vibrant personality!

If you were working with Devon on any projects, please contact me for a plan of transition. The role of the Digital Marketing Specialist will be posted on jobs.nd.edu in the coming weeks. We will release further information regarding this vacancy as it becomes available.

Please join us in congratulating Devon on her move and wishing her success in this next chapter in her life and career!

Thank you,
Lauren Dolzan

Dear everyone-

Rubén de Jesús Medina will be leaving Development at the end of August to launch an entrepreneurial finance & startup advisory company. As a Double-Domer, with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, he will always have a special place in his heart for Notre Dame. Rubén is very grateful for his time in Development, the friendships made, and wishes the entire UR team much success in the years ahead. Please take a moment to wish Ruben all the best in his new adventures.

Anne Overly

It is my pleasure to welcome our colleague, Geoff Stookey to the Academic and Athletic Annual Giving team as an Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving. Geoff comes highly regarded among colleagues across the division and we know his love for Notre Dame (not to mention his tremendous Notre Dame Story – be sure to ask him if you have not heard it), his work ethic and dedication to his team, and his passion for athletics (Go Irish, Go Zags, and Go Braves!) will serve him well in this new role!

Geoff most recently served the division as Sr. Financial Analyst on the Resource Strategy and Administration team. Geoff is the consummate teammate – always working hard and willing to lend a hand and share his expertise. He does that and more and never wants to take credit. A huge thank you to Geoff for all he has done – he will be missed dearly by the RS&A team! And we couldn’t be more thrilled for Geoff to share his talents in this new way with UR! Geoff’s first day in his new role will be Wednesday, September 1st.

Any budget, financial, position management related questions that Geoff typically fields and can be directed to Rachel Parks and Kathryn Valenti. With Geoff’s transition, we will be redesigning the role into a Director of Finance position. If you know any talented folks interested in such a position, please contact Kathryn.

Kasey O’Connor and Kathryn Valenti

I am thrilled to announce Andrea Swanagan will join University Relations as Senior Director of Prospect and Research Strategy starting on September 1st. In this role, she will lead the talented and growing team of prospect strategy consultants and research analysts who serve as our critical ‘engine of fundraising’ as we plan and embark upon campaign 9. Andrea will sit on the Advancement Services leadership team and will continue to build the growing partnerships with the Gift and Data Management Team, Information Technology and Services team, and the fundraising teams to deliver information to allow for faster and improved decisions.

Andrea has served as Director of Institutional Research at Notre Dame since July 2017. She originally joined the Office of Strategic Planning & Institutional Research (OSPIR) as a Strategic Planning Program Director in April 2013. Prior to her time in OSPIR, Andrea served as an analyst for the Executive Vice President. She has also participated in the University’s leadership rotation program, during which time she worked in the Division of Student Affairs and OSPIR. She initially returned to the University in 2007 as the Director of Worldwide Clubs in the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

Andrea graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2002 with a BA in government and international studies. She was commissioned into the United States Air Force and served on active duty as an intelligence officer for five years, attaining the rank of captain. Andrea earned her MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and an MS in Data Science from the University of Notre Dame. She and her husband, Harold, are the proud parents of three children.

Please join me in welcoming Andrea to UR!!
Heather

Colleagues,

I write to share the bittersweet news that Jackie Thomas will be leaving her role as Young Alumni Program Director to embark on her next adventure in Chicago. During her 6+ years with the Alumni Association, Jackie has been instrumental in re-envisioning our young alumni and student engagement through the important role she has played in the creation of the YoungND board, Domer Dozen, Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar, Traditions Book, Life Beyond The ND Bubble, Senior Medallion, and more. Perhaps most importantly, Jackie is a genuine friend and dear colleague to many across the University. Jackie’s final day with the NDAA will be Friday, September 3. Please join me in thanking Jackie for her service to Notre Dame and wishing her well in this new chapter.

We are working to post this position soon. If you know anyone interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to contact me at jflynt@nd.edu.

Best,
Josh Flynt

The Notre Dame UR Family extends its deepest condolences to Giovana Heeter. Her father, Domenic Cataldo, passed away on Thursday, August 5th. Those who knew Domenic understood that he was a “master craftsman” at creating a family culture that celebrated life, love, and laughter. He and his wife, Sarita, were “locally famous” for welcoming others to their dinner table to share stories, friendship, and their impeccable Italian food and homemade wine. A mass of Christian burial was held Wednesday, August 11th at Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Granger. A celebration of Domenic’s life can be found at this link:

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/elkharttruth/obituary.aspx?n=domenico-cataldo&pid=199700729&fhid=8872

Please keep Domenic, Giovana and Lonnie Heeter, Giovana’s mother, Sarita, and their extended family in your prayers.

-Jason Scarlett

Colleagues,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to share the news that Rich Allocco will be retiring from Notre Dame as of 9/30/2021. Rich joined the Notre Dame Development team in December 2018, after a long and successful career as a Silicon Valley executive. A distinguished Notre Dame graduate, Rich played football for the Irish and was a member of the 1973 National Championship team under Ara Parseghian. Rich has been an integral part of the Northwest region, residing in Northern California and working with benefactors in and around the San Francisco Bay area. His passion for Our Lady’s University, professionalism, and great care for his constituents and his teammates will be greatly missed. A wonderful Notre Dame representative, Rich embodies all that makes Notre Dame and Her family so special.

Rich will be in the Bay Area wrapping up gift conversations and transitioning his constituents over the next 45 days. We are incredibly grateful for Rich’s many contributions to our team, and will miss his experience and passion for Notre Dame. Please join us in congratulating Rich on his upcoming retirement and wishing him continued success in this next chapter in life!

Thank you,

Sean Sharpe

Don’t forget to register if you and your family plan to attend;

To register:

1. Go to ND UR Summit
2. Enter the total number of guests in the appropriate category & Click “Add to cart”
3. On the next page – enter the Host ID: ND UR Summit  in the DISCOUNT CODE box then Click “Apply”
4. Enter your name, email address and address (Note – you can enter your home or work address)
5. Click “Checkout”
6. You will receive an email (to the address used in your registration) from “Potawatomi Zoological Society – eTickets”.   Within the email is a link to your e-tickets.
7. Once at the zoo, you will need to get your tickets scanned (e-tickets or printed tickets) for entrance.

It is my pleasure to welcome Kevin Frost to the Sorin Society Giving team as an Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving. Kevin’s first day will be Monday, August 16th.

Kevin is a 2016 graduate of Notre Dame and will be relocating to South Bend from New York, where he started his career. Kevin joined SAP after graduation, before being appointed business and sales development director at Innodata, Inc, an IT service management company. We are especially thrilled to welcome Kevin back to Notre Dame Development, as he was a student caller and manager in our student center (now ND Listens) during his time on campus.

Please join me in welcoming Kevin back home to Notre Dame. His work as a fundraiser will not only drive our giving society memberships, but his love for Notre Dame will serve the Sorin team well! We are thrilled to have him as the newest member of our team!

In Notre Dame,

Pablo Martínez

We are excited to celebrate the promotion of Annie Geary to the President’s Office, where she will work as an Advisor to the Vice President and Chief of Staff, Ann Firth. Annie has been an invaluable contributor to the Development Coordinator Team in University Relations and, most recently, to the University’s Covid Response Unit in the testing center and as a contact tracer. Please join us in wishing our friend and colleague every success as she approaches her 25th year of service to Our Lady’s University. Thank you, Annie!

Lori Ehrman Tinkey

Great news to share…Nancy Cole will return to University Relations on Monday, August 16 as the new Resource Strategy Coordinator on our Resource Strategy and Administration team.

Nancy will play a critical role in helping to move forward the abundance of hiring going on in the division and will support the financial management of the division as well. For those who do not know, Nancy brings with her a wealth of institutional knowledge, operational chops, and strong relationships from her six years in Mendoza, five years in NDAA as Dolly’s Sr. Administrative Assistant, and most recently four years in the President’s Office as Operations Advisor to Ann Firth. We’re so excited that Nancy is sharing her many talents with our team.

Thanks for helping to warmly welcome Nancy back to UR!

Kathryn Valenti

It is my pleasure to welcome Andrew Owens to the Academic and Athletic Annual Giving team as an Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving. Andrew’s first day will be Monday, August 16th.

Andrew is a 2013 graduate of Notre Dame and 2019 of Notre Dame Law School. Andrew is joining us from Honigman LLP in Detroit, Michigan, where he served as an Associate in the firm’s Real Estate Law department.

Please join me in welcoming, Andrew, home to Notre Dame. We are thrilled to have him as the newest member of our team!

Kasey O’Connor

Dear colleagues,

With thanks for 10 years of dedicated ND service, we announce the departure of Noell Stohler for a position as Recruiter for TalentSource Staffing. Noell’s last day with UR in the role of Assistant Manager of the DC Team will be 08.19.21.

We are grateful for Noell’s contributions to Development throughout the last campaign, particularly her dedication to the team throughout the pandemic. While she will be missed, please join us in wishing Noell all the best on her new career path.

Note that the position will be posted shortly; if interested in knowing more, feel free to contact me at ltinkey@nd.edu.

Lori Ehrman Tinkey

It is with mixed emotions that I write to share the news that Michael Loungo will be leaving the University. Michael recently accepted a position as Senior Vice President for Development at the Augustine Institute, a Catholic education and media company based in Denver. Michael has been part of the Development team for eight years and has played a pivotal role in leading the Academic Advancement team and in cultivating benefactors who live outside the United States. He feels fortunate to be part of Notre Dame both as an alumnus and as an employee, and will take what he has learned to try to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Michael shared, “I have been surrounded by exceptional professionals here at Notre Dame, and I am grateful for everyone who helped me grow and accepted me despite my shortcomings.”

Michael’s last day is expected to be in early September. He and his family will continue to reside here in South Bend.

Please join me in wishing Michael all the best.

Best,
Stu

Hello again,

Jeff Arnold, our Academic Advancement Director for the College of Engineering, recently announced his intention to retire. Jeff joined the University nearly 10 years ago, after finishing with Honeywell a 30-year career in the engineering industry. His experience as an engineer and his commitment to Notre Dame engineering students is evident in how Jeff has approached his work. He has played an integral role on our Development team and we are grateful for his decade of service to the University. We will miss his professionalism and kindness.

What Jeff calls hobbies most would call advanced manufacturing, and I know that together with his commitment to his family and aspiring engineers, there is more to come in this new chapter of his life.

In the period between early September and his retirement, Jeff will transition to a research role in Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Join me in wishing Jeff all the best.

-Michael Loungo

It is my pleasure to welcome Sarah Wodrich, pronounced Woodrich, to the Gift Planning team as our newest Gift Planning Officer. Sarah’s first day is Monday, August 9, and she will be partnering with fundraisers in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

Sarah is an alum of Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice and earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Kentucky.

Sarah comes to Notre Dame from a successful career at Sanders Pianowski LLP in Elkhart. At Sanders Pianowski LLP, Sarah focused on estate planning, estate administration, and labor and employment laws. She lives in Osceola with her husband, Eric, and their son, Calvin.

Rich Naponelli

Dear Colleagues,

Please join me in welcoming Austin Gammage to the East Coast Region as a Regional Director serving the Atl/Car market.

Prior to joining the East Coast, Austin was an Associate Director for our Annual Giving team. Austin also previously served as the Manager of Business Development for the City of South Bend where he worked on projects such as the new Turbomachinery facility and Innovation Park. He grew up in South Bend, graduated from Ball State University in 2012, and received his Master’s from Bowling Green State University in 2017.

Austin and his wife, Katrina, have two children Kyra (11) and their newest edition Oakley (9 months). We are so excited to have Austin and his family join our team! The best is yet to come!

Thanks,
George W.

Dear Friends,

I am excited to announce that, effective August 9, Ashley Bennett will assume the role of Sr. Director of Special Events. Reporting to me and Heather Christophersen (Associate Vice President, Advancement Services) and serving on the University Events leadership team, Ashley will strategically lead our very talented Special Events team and oversee event planning and execution efforts with our key partners in University Relations as well as our Executive Officers, PLC, Deans, Board of Trustees and Advisory Council members.

Ashley has served as the Associate Director of Events and Guest Services at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center for 10 years. In this role, she coordinated all aspects of DPAC’s special events, creating a unique and personalized experience for over 500 events annually. During this past year’s COVID period, her leadership was on full display as she designed, facilitated, and executed all aspects of the TutorND program alongside partners from the Institute for Educational Initiatives, Robinson Community Learning Center and Alliance for Catholic Education.

Ashley is a proud graduate of Indiana University. She and her husband Dave, a Mishawaka fireman and paramedic of 25 years, reside in Mishawaka. They have two amazing children Maria and Phillip. Maria will be a freshman at Indiana University this fall pursuing a degree in nursing, and Phillip will be a freshman at Marian High School.

Please join me in congratulating Ashley and welcoming her to our University Events family!

Lee Sicinski
Associate Vice President
University Events

Please join me in congratulating Colleen Cross and fellow Double Domer and ND employee Joe Quinn, who were married in a ceremony at the Basilica on July 30. Colleen and Joe were the model of patience and persistence during a long year of pandemic-related reschedules, and the Foundation Relations team couldn’t be happier that the two finally got to celebrate their big day with family and friends.

Best wishes to the newlyweds on starting their next adventure together!

-Amanda Retartha

It is my pleasure to welcome Caitlyn Clinton and Leslie Curry to the Giving Programs team!

Caitlyn is a 2020 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BA in American Studies and a Minor in Business and Economics. Prior to starting her role with University Relations, Caitlyn was a Marketing and Social Media Specialist for Operation BBQ Relief. While at the University, Caitlyn was involved in Student Government, Ryan Hall leadership, Fighting Irish Media, and most importantly, the University Relations Internship! Caitlyn will oversee ND Listens, the Class of 2022 Notre Dame Pledge, and other student focused initiatives. I’m so excited for the good work Caitlyn will do with our students.

Leslie graduated from Valparaiso University with a BS in Business Administration, and additionally, she has a Project Management Professional certification. Prior to coming to University Relations, Leslie was the Director of Annual Giving at Valparaiso University. She is well-versed in the world of Development, and more specifically, Annual Giving. Leslie will manage our Annual Giving renewal process, drive revenue for the Notre Dame Fund, and increase the total number of recurring Annual Giving donors. I have full confidence that Leslie’s experience and skill set will elevate the work we do on the Giving Programs Team.

Please join me in welcoming both Caitlyn and Leslie!

-Katie Kerby

Happy Birthday to all our colleagues celebrating their special days in August! We hope you have a great day and a wonderful year!

8/2 – Colleen Cross
8/4 – Jim Small
8/10 – Tara Gilchrist
8/12 – Katie Edel
8/12 – Melissa Medina
8/13 – Sean Carroll
8/14 – Lauren Dolzan
8/16 – Brian Benedict
8/17 – Jennifer Pratt
8/18 – Tim Kelly
8/19 – Brent Henningfeld
8/19 – Julia Sama
8/23 – Amanda Retartha
8/23 – Shaheen Goldrick
8/27 – George West
8/30 – Abbey Johnson
8/30 – Michelle Varda

Colleagues,

I write to share that Ashley Baranowski has accepted a new role as Program Director with the Inspired Leadership Initiative here at Notre Dame starting on August 9th.

We are very grateful for Ashley’s many contributions these past 2 years to our team and the Cavanaugh Council and President’s Circle programs including: her incredible work on our annual impact report, especially this past year as we transitioned to a digital format; coordination and relationships with students including our CCPC scholars; her work with our mentorship program; and her partnership with the Central and Illinois regions.

Please join me in congratulating Ashley on her new role and wishing her all the best in this next chapter!

If you were working with Ashely on any projects or have any questions, please contact me or Jen Odell.

Thank you,
Mary Jane Añón

It is with mixed emotions that I share Julia Onghetich’s decision to devote her energies to being a full time mother to her sons Tim and Nile. You may know that Julia and her husband Bob, who graduated from the Notre Dame Law School in 2020, have already relocated to Indianapolis. I say mixed emotions because we are happy for Julia to be able to spend more time with her family, but will miss her leadership and dedication dearly. Under her leadership, stewardship communications have evolved greatly. She and her team were responsible for quickly making acknowledgments from Fr. John Jenkins and Lou Nanni electronic when COVID required remote work. She was the creator of the latest versions of the Stewardship Report, enhanced financial aid stewardship communications and many other impact communications and reporting significantly. She has also served as an incredible stewardship partner for both Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Julia’s last day on the Stewardship & Donor Relations team will be September 3. If you are interested in learning more about this role as Director for Stewardship Communications, please let me know. We plan to post as soon as possible. Julia is also happy to discuss her role with interested colleagues.

Katherine Lane