Dear colleagues:

We are excited to announce Karen Sunshine as the Director of Game Day Hospitality & Cultivation Events within the Special Events & Stewardship team. In this role, Karen will create and execute premium gameday hospitality within club areas throughout Notre Dame Stadium, which will include the hosting of University leaders and volunteers including members of the Board of Trustees, Advisory Councils, and University benefactors. She will also be working closely with our event professionals in Athletics Advancement, Annual Giving & Marketing, and Cultivation Events.

Karen brings with her over 20 years of event and relationship management experience. She has served as a marketing special event manager for Disneyland Resort since 2000, having led theme park-based events, community-based initiatives and major Disneyland special projects.  Moreover, Karen is the founder and owner of Plan It With Sunshine, a full service event and meeting planning company based in Santa Ana, California. Since 2008, Karen has led all hospitality programs for the Rose Bowl.

Karen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Santa Clara and master’s degree from Clemson University. Karen and her husband Thom have three children — Caroline (junior at Claremont McKenna College), Johnny (freshman at Azusa Pacific University), and Christopher (sophomore at Orange Lutheran High School). Karen is a big Notre Dame fan, and has a sister who graduated from the University.  Karen will begin her role on April 3; please join us in welcoming Karen to the Notre Dame family.

Our best,

Mary Fisher and Katherine Lane