UR Family,

Please join me in welcoming Carol de Lucca to the Storytelling and Engagement team as our Creative Project Manager. In this role, Carol will use a blend of her creative and tactical skills to drive and inform our projects in collaboration with partners across the University.

Before Notre Dame, Carol was the Senior Graphic Designer at Zimmer Design—an award-winning design studio—where she developed premium design and art direction and managed projects with the firm’s clients.

Carol is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a graduate of the University of Louisville. Carol’s husband, Joao, is an assistant swim coach at Notre Dame and a former Olympic swimmer for Brazil. Carol and Joao are the proud parents of two children and a dog: Kira (4), Nina (8 months), and Lua (doggy).

Carol’s first day will be Friday, March 1st.

-Brandon Tabor

Hearty congratulations to Josh and Mary Flynt, who welcomed new baby Paul Francis Flynt on Sunday, February 11th. Mama and baby are doing great. Josh and big sister Norah are thrilled as well!

Thanks!

Joe Dietz

UR Family,

Please join me in welcoming Justin Zimmerman to the Storytelling and Engagement team as our Director of Visual Storytelling. In this new role, Justin will provide leadership, creative direction, and strategy for all aspects of the design and video work we do in the Department of Development.

Prior to this role, Justin served for 10 years as Senior Graphic Designer for ND Creative, formerly MarComm, where he provided creative direction for University-level projects, such as onmessage.nd.edu, the HERE campaign, Notre Dame Football ticket packages, and more.

Justin is a graduate of Central Michigan University and the proud father of three children: Ryann (8), Tatum (5), and Kobe (3).

Justin’s first day will be Monday, February 12th.

-Brandon Tabor

Review these newly released professional development opportunities, including direct links that make registration easy. Courses include core programs (those the University/UR wants all colleagues to complete) like Better Conversations Every Day and Living Notre Dame Values, specialized offerings for people-leaders like ND Essentials for Managing People, and new programs like Inclusive Leadership and Managing Up.

-Learning and Leadership Development Team

Dear colleagues,

I write to share the news that Katie Eckrich has made the decision to leave Notre Dame. Her last day with the University was February 1.

Katie has been a valued member of the Northwest team during her 4+ years of service to Notre Dame, engaging benefactors throughout Northern CA and Reno and bringing those constituents closer to the University. We are grateful for her service in advancing the mission of Notre Dame.

Gratefully,
Sean

Today, I have the bittersweet task of sharing the retirement of our good friend and colleague, Chris DeTrempe, who has been an integral part of Notre Dame for the past 18 years.

Chris has been a dedicated member of the Gift Planning team for 15 of those years, contributing significantly to advancing the University’s mission and building lasting relationships with those we serve. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is known for his kindness, generosity, and willingness to share his expertise with others. He is a beloved member of our team.

As Chris embarks on this next chapter in his life with Corrine, he will be taking on a new role as the Vice President of Development for the March for Life organization, with plans to move to Florida in the coming year. His last day in office will be February 16th.

Please join me in thanking Chris for his faithful dedication to our team and benefactors.

Team,

I’m thrilled to share with you that we have hired Caitlin Kleinsmith as Dolly’s Senior Coordinator. She will begin with us on February 12. Caitlin comes to us from Meridian Title Corp. and her career includes experience in customer service, accounting, planning, and administrative processes.

She’s married to Bruno Martinsky has a seven-year-old stepson Caden, and a miniature poodle named Bentley. They reside in South Bend.

Please join me in welcoming Caitlin.

Thanks,

Mark Witucki

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I write to share the news that Vahid Sadrzadeh will be leaving Notre Dame to pursue new opportunities that will allow him to spend more time with his family, including his father in California who is battling Parkinson’s. His last day with the University will be next Friday, February 2nd.

Vahid has been a valued member of the NY Metro team in his nearly three years of service to the University. During his time with Development, he has brought a number of benefactors to closer engagement with the University, and we are grateful for all he has done to advance the mission of Notre Dame.

Please join me in thanking Vahid and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

All the best,

Joe

Please join me in welcoming Michael Stark to the ND Development team as a Regional Director on the Northwest Team! Michael’s first day will be Monday, January 22.

Michael is a 2009 Notre Dame alumni from the Mendoza College of Business, where he earned a BBA in Marketing. That wasn’t enough for Michael, so he later went on to earn his J.D. and M.B.A. from Loyola University Chicago; remarkably, he completed law school during the day while completing his MBA work at night in 3 years. In doing this, Michael pioneered Loyola’s MBA/JD program. Michael has worked extensively with not-for-profits and tech startups with a particular focus on social impact. In his career as a fundraiser, entrepreneur, investor, and community leader, Michael has championed creative people, ideas, and organizations with the potential for transformative impact globally.

Michael grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, a 3rd generation Notre Dame alumni on both sides of his family! Michael’s family was one of the first to adopt a child from China when it opened up the West and subsequently took in 50+ foster children from all over the world. Through this experience, he has learned that everyone has a story to tell and something to contribute. Michael is grateful for what Notre Dame has meant to his family and the presence the University has been in his life.

Outside of work and family, Michael’s hobbies and interests include traveling, reading, basketball, legos, art, podcasts, and public speaking. He is, most importantly, a dedicated father to Stella (5) and Jude (2.5).

Please join me in welcoming Michael to the team!

Sean

Welcome, Abi Batkoff!

I would like to welcome our newest regional director, Abigayle “Abi” Batkoff, to the SouthBest team. Abi is a Double Domer, graduating with her BS in Science-Business and Theology minor in 2021 and her MBA in 2022 with a concentration in Business Analytics. While on campus, she was the captain of the Notre Dame Cheerleading team. Since graduating, Abi has worked at FTI Consulting as a Healthcare Consultant in Chicago, where she has worked on revenue cycle management and integration management projects. Abi’s first day will be Monday, January 22, and will be working with families in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Please join me in welcoming Abi, her fiance, Charles, and her dog, Lulu, back to Notre Dame!

Best,

Shelby