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

Dear everyone,

Please join me in welcoming Kari Tarman to Regional Development as our new Hesburgh Women of Impact Program Director. In this role, Kari will have a full-time focus on expanding and driving the success of the HWOI program and the goal of raising gifts to and from women at Notre Dame. Kari will play a critical role in planning, strategizing, and executing deliverables associated with Hesburgh Women of Impact. She will also be a key collaborative partner for the field as we grow this strategic initiative.

Kari comes to us from the Oakton Foundation, where she has worked for the past 11 years, most recently as the Executive Director of the Foundation. As the Executive Director, Kari was responsible for managing their 5M endowment, planning and executing major fundraising events – such as “Oaklawn’s Got Talent,” managing the 21-person board, and more!

Kari graduated from Ball State in 2008 with a degree in Psychology/Counseling. In 2015, Kari earned her Master of Public Affairs at IUSB. Kari is originally from Wisconsin and moved to the South Bend region as a young child, and she has cheered for the Packers her entire life! She and her husband Justin have two children, Fordham (8) and August (1). They enjoy time with their kids and their extracurricular activities, including basketball, 4-H, acting, art, and cheering for Notre Dame! They also are in the process of restoring their home from 1901 in Goshen.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Kari!

Best,
Anne Overly
Executive Regional Director
Southern and Southwest Regions, Hesburgh Women of Impact Program

Please join me in congratulating Steve and Bryanna Horstmann on the birth of their 2nd daughter, Aubree Lane! Aubree joined the Horstmann Family on Monday, October 2 at 3:17am. Though she was a few weeks early, she is healthy and thriving.

Dad says she is ready to watch to the Irish beat Louisville this weekend. 🍀

–Alyssa

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to welcome Aleks Mitrius to the East team as a Regional Director. Aleks’s first day was September 5th, and he will have the pleasure of cultivating relationships with families in the DC market.

Aleks is a ’95 graduate from Notre Dame and a parent of a ’22 graduate (Lukas), and current student (Romas). After graduating from Notre Dame, Aleks had a tremendous experience in public accounting, observing and auditing both successful and struggling companies. He then branched out and applied this knowledge to the title and sales consulting industries. Aleks currently resides in South Bend, and we look forward to his wife, Ilona, kids – Lukas, Romas, Karina, and rescue dog, Fozzy joining him soon.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Aleks!

Many thanks,
Nadia

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to welcome Lilly Yun to the Gift and Data Management team as Gift Management, Program Coordinator. Lilly’s first day is today, September 11. She will lead gift preparation efforts while assisting colleagues and donors with questions through the departmental phone line (5150) and email (GiveGift).

Lilly earned her Bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College in Michigan. She comes to us with experience in customer service, PR, communications, and process improvement. We are excited to have her on our team!

Please join me in welcoming Lilly.

Best,
Alyssa Strbjak

It is my pleasure to welcome Jim Furlong to the East team as a Regional Director. Jim’s first day was August 7th, and he will have the pleasure of cultivating relationships with families in Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina and within the Atlanta market.

As a double domer, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in ’07 and an MBA in ’11. During his time on campus, Jim served as a student-manager for the football team, and worked with the Monogram Club in between undergrad and graduate school. Thereafter, Jim worked in athletics fundraising at Penn State, Hofstra, UAB and UCF. Jim and his wife, Julie now reside in the South Bend area.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Jim!

Many thanks,
Nadia

All,
I would like to welcome back our newest regional director, Debbie Loughran, to the SouthBest team. Debbie is a Notre Dame ’91 graduate and earned her M.A. in leadership development from Chapman University. Debbie worked as a regional director at ND for the West region from 2014-2019. Most recently, Debbie served as an Associate Vice President of Development at Chapman University in Orange, California. Debbie and her husband, Terry (also a ’91 grad) are proud parents to Kit ’16, Ryan ’17, Kelly ’18, and Andy ’26. Debbie’s first day will be September 12. She will be working with families in Orange County. Please join me in welcoming back Debbie!

Best,

Shelby

Please welcome Nick Weiler to the Development Coordinator team! Nick is a South Bend native. He graduated from John Adams High School (Go Eagles!) and then received his Bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Master’s in Business Administration, both from Indiana University South Bend. He’s spent the past few years as an office manager for Varners Greenhouse and Nursery and serves as President for the Racing for Steve-O Foundation. We are excited to have Nick on the team!

Please join me in welcoming him to Notre Dame and the Development family!

Tashana Kenny