I am excited to announce Amelia Thompson as the newest regional director on the NY Metro team! Amelia’s joined the team on July 1.

Since 2018, Amelia has led the development efforts for Ballet Memphis as the principal fundraiser on all major gift and individual solicitations, as well as all corporate and foundation grant efforts. Previously, Amelia served in development at Rhodes College and St. Albans School. This will be a homecoming in multiple respects for Amelia, who worked for three years as a buyer for Macy’s in New York City several years after graduating from Notre Dame in 2008. She has stayed connected to the University in a number of ways, including serving on the Black Alumni Board from 2009-2015.

Please join me in welcoming Amelia to the UR team!

Thank you,
Ryan

I am both excited and saddened to share the news that Kristen White will be leaving the ND Alumni Association. Kristen has accepted a position as Senior Administrative Assistant within the Office of Residential Life. In this role, she will serve as the primary assistant to the members of their leadership team and offer administrative support for their department initiatives and general operation. Kristen’s last day with the NDAA will be Friday, July 2.

Kristen joined our team over 4 years ago as a Reunion Office Assistant and then moved into her current role of Event Coordinator just after the conclusion of the 2017 Reunion event. In her time here, Kristen has worked with nearly all of the class officers in their Reunion planning cycles, generated numerous ideas for our Football Fridays, Leadership Conference and Reunion events and most recently spent time supporting our IrishCompass efforts with the Professional Programs team. Kristen has brought her enthusiasm and commitment to the University’s mission with her and has formed deeply meaningful relationships with so many of us over her time with the NDAA. She will be greatly missed.

Please join me in wishing Kristen happiness and luck as she transitions to this next chapter in her career!

Thank you,
Erin

I am excited to announce changes within the Prospect Management and Research (PMR) team:

Brooke Wenzel is joining the team as a Consultant, working with the East Coast and NY Metro fundraising teams. She moves from her role as the Associate Director, President’s Circle & Cavanaugh Council, on July 1.

Brooke has been with the University for eight years. She started in the Office of Gift Planning where she managed portfolios for three Gift Officers, and then was the point-of-contact for the ND Donor Advised Fund (DAF) program. Most recently Brooke was an incredible asset to the CCPC team. In this role she was critical by enhancing and innovating reporting. She improved membership communications and event registrations. Additionally she served as the liaison to the East Coast and NY Metro regions. Although she will be missed, Mary Jane Anon and the CCPC team are “excited for her new role with PMR and know she will be fabulous in this new capacity where she will continue to add so much value to the greater University Relations team.”

Brooke graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a degree in Biology and received her Masters of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend. Brooke is looking forward to building on existing relationships with field fundraisers through creative strategy, honing her analytical skills, and learning from the PMR team!

Welcome to the team, Brooke!

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It is my pleasure to also welcome Kathleen “Katie” O’Friel to the team as a Consultant, working with the Northwest and Southwest fundraising teams. Katie’s first day is July 1.

Katie comes to Notre Dame with Tax client service experience gained at a Big Four accounting firm. More recently she performed Strategic Planning and Market Analysis at a large aerospace communication services corporation. In this role, Katie led development of the annual market outlook analyses and long term strategic & financial plans to assess effective growth strategies. The experience she developed in the corporate world will be beneficial as she applies it in a new and meaningful way at Notre Dame. Katie is starting remotely and relocating to the South Bend area from Maryland in August. Notre Dame has always felt like a second home to her so she is excited to put down roots here. She is really looking forward to getting to know everyone she’ll be working with!

Katie graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Accounting in 2006 and earned her CPA three years later. She is a proud Bullfrog hailing from Badin Hall and a former Annual Fund Student Caller. As the smallest women’s dorm, Badin Hall is known for being “tiny but mighty” – like our PM team!

Please join me in welcoming Katie!

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Ben Moeller is promoted to Senior Prospect Research Analyst, effective July 1. As our sole researcher during most of FY21, Ben took his knowledge and skills to evaluate wealth and provide the fundraisers with high quality, insightful wisdom on prospects encouraging them to think Boldly-er about their asks. His expertise, quantity, and quality of research is deserving of this recognition.

Please join me in congratulating Ben!

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Additional team updates: Kevin McMannis will support Athletics Advancement and Gift Planning, in addition to his current responsibilities (Illinois region and Lead Consultant). Meghan Walsh will support the Central region in addition to her current responsibilities (Southern region and the AsceND project).

The Consultants new fundraising team partnerships will begin on August 1. Please continue to work with your current Consultant until this time while Brooke & Katie are onboarding.

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 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

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

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

George Mandarakas is no longer on the Corporate Relations team. If you were working with George on any projects, please contact CR Interim Senior Director Josh Tullis for a project transition plan. Also, we will be looking to refill this position. If you are interested in this role or would like to know more, please reach out to Josh Tullis or Tara Gilchrist.

– Josh Tullis