Team,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to share news that Anne Overly will soon depart University Relations to serve as Senior Advisor to Shannon Cullinan, Executive Vice President. Anne has been an incredibly valuable member of the Development team since she joined us from Pearson in 2017. She first served as a Regional Director covering families in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, then as the Senior Director for the South Region, and most recently as Executive Regional Director, providing administrative oversight for the South and Southwest Regions, in addition to the University’s Hesburgh Women of Impact initiative. She leaves our Development team in a stronger position than when she arrived, and while we will miss her positivity, commitment to excellence, and devotion to our mission, we know all these characteristics will serve her, and Notre Dame, exceptionally well in her new position.

To ensure the most successful calendar year-end possible, Anne will transition to her new role effective January 15, 2024. Additionally, given that we are only a few months into our new organizational structure within Regional Development, we will pause to reexamine our operations during this most critical period of our annual cycle and will determine how best to move forward in the weeks ahead.
In the interim, please join me in thanking Anne for her contributions to Development and wishing her well in her new role. She’s become a dear friend to many of us, and we know that friendship will endure.

Sara

I am excited to share that Christina Edmonds is joining the For Good Administration team as a Program Director beginning on Monday, December 4th! Christina will be taking over the day-to-day management of Highspot and also leading various marketing and communications projects for the For Good team. She will be based out of the Eddy Street office.

Christina is a 2016 Notre Dame graduate with majors in Marketing and Graphic Design, as well as minors in Studio Art and Art History. She is joining us from Tire Rack, where she worked as a Print Designer, and also has extensive experience completing freelance graphic design and marketing projects for a variety of clients.

Please join me in welcoming Christina!

Jessica Dennis

I am excited to announce Kate Brown as the new Associate Director, Sorin Society, focusing on our Gold and 175 levels. In this new role Kate will elevate the membership experience and stewardship for our top giving levels to grow membership at these levels. Kate’s previous experience engaging with partners and Sorin members while leading our Giving Society events will be invaluable in this role. We are excited for Kate to bring her creativity, collaborative spirit, and drive to the Sorin Society! Please join me in congratulating Kate!

Conor Montijo

Greetings UR!

It is my pleasure to welcome Jen Odell to the Southern Team as a Regional Director of Development! Jen’s first day on our team will be Wednesday, November 1st, and she will be serving donors in the Austin/San Antonio area.

Jen is no stranger to our UR team, having served on the Cavanaugh Council and President’s Circle Team since 2018, most recently leading the Friends of Ted and Ned Recognition Society to great success. We’re incredibly grateful to welcome her hard work and expertise to our team!

Please join me in welcoming Jen!

Tim Kelly

Please join me in welcoming Paul Hernandez to the Northwest team! Paul will serve Notre Dame as a Tier 2 fundraiser working with alumni, parents and friends in the Bay Area.

Paul graduated from the University of Saint Francis in 2015 where he majored in Communication and Public Relations. In 2018 Paul received his Masters in Education. As if those degrees weren’t enough, Paul is currently pursuing his EMNA here at Notre Dame. While an undergrad at Saint Francis, Paul ran Cross Country and Track for 4 years (ask him about his epic marathon story).

Paul joined us at Notre Dame in 2018 as a member of the Mendoza admissions team within the Graduate Business programs. Paul also worked in the Career Center as an Employer Engagement Manager before joining us in University Relations, where he has served as a Leadership Annual Giving associate director since 2022.

Paul and his wife Kelly have 3 children; Niko, Sam and Jack.

We are thrilled to have Paul continue his Notre Dame journey as part of the Northwest fundraising team!

Sean Sharpe

I am thrilled to share that Conor Montijo will be stepping into the position of Director of Annual Giving, effective October 25th. We are thrilled that his creativity, prior Annual Giving experience, and immense dedication to the mission of Notre Dame will be expressed in new ways. In this role, Conor will oversee several critical areas including the Sorin Society, Order of St. Thomas More, O’Hara Society, and Giving Society events and stewardship.

Conor is a 2015 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and a Certification in International Business. Conor first started working at the University with Athletics leading various marketing initiatives and student engagement efforts. In 2017, Conor shifted to work with the Marketing and Operations team within Annual Giving. One year later, he was promoted to oversee the Sorin Society. He additionally stepped up to grow unrestricted fundraising for the Law and Business schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and University hiring freeze. For the last two years, Conor has worked with Institutional Innovation leading various projects for the University. We’re thrilled that Conor’s prior experience at the University and within Annual Giving will elevate the work of our Giving Societies team.

Congratulations, Conor!

Katie Kerby

Dear Colleagues,

Please help us welcome Shinnell Lee to the DC Team as a Development Coordinator (DC). Shinnell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from IUSB and a Master’s degree in Human Services from Capella University. Her extensive administrative background is in customer support, social services, education, and mental health services. Shinnell’s most recent position was in the PHM School District, where she served as a Youth Development Specialist.

A resident of Granger, Shinnell has been married to Shawn for 18 years and they have two wonderful children, ages 14 and 11. Her hobbies include helping in church, traveling, cheering at sports events, and binge-watching the Golden Girls.

Welcome to UR, Shinnell!

Angie Dennig & the DC Team

Storytelling & Engagement is excited to welcome Brandon Kole to our team on Monday, October 16! Brandon comes to us from WSBT-TV where he was a primetime newscast director for the past five years. There, he led a production team, directed and edited newscasts, and worked with producers to inform the community. Brandon is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington’s prestigious Media School. His background in copywriting and screenwriting, and experience in deadline-driven production, will make him a critical partner in Storytelling and across Development. Brandon is an avid reader of contemporary literature, and a competitive distance runner. We look forward to celebrating his upcoming wedding in November! Welcome, Brandon!

David Chaudoir

Colleagues and Friends,

I’m thrilled to announce that Eric Atkins has joined the Athletics Advancement Team as a Regional Director. Eric’s first day was October 9th.

Eric is a 2014 Notre Dame grad, who was a three-year captain and All-ACC selection for our Men’s Basketball team and was one of the most prolific point guards in Fighting Irish history. After playing professionally for a while after graduation, Eric has been deeply involved in collegiate athletics – serving in various coaching roles for the basketball staff at Notre Dame, Howard, George Washington, and the Milwaukee Bucks organization.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Eric!

–Riley Koval

It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome back Ray Herring to Notre Dame and to the Athletics Advancement family. Ray will be stepping back into the portfolio he previously covered in Florida and Georgia, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back onboard. Please join me in extending a warm welcome home to Ray when you see him next!

 

–Riley Koval