Dear Team,

I write to share the bittersweet news that Pablo Martinez will be leaving his role in Regional Development on January 3. Since July 2011, Pablo has served in multiple roles across University Relations, from managing the Student Phone Center (now NDListens), leading a record-breaking Notre Dame Day and, most recently, spearheading our Global Advancement efforts. He has exemplified authentic servant leadership while embodying the virtues of Our Lady’s Mission. 

Please join me in thanking Pablo for sharing his gifts with us and wishing him all the best as he moves forward serving the Ecuadorian community as COO of US Operations at Andean Health & Development.

Thanks,

George

I am thrilled to announce that Patrick Borders will be joining us as an Associate Regional Director, starting on January 6.

Patrick holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, but we won’t hold that against him.

Patrick joined Notre Dame 9 years ago, starting with the Annual Giving team. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience in the Office of the President, where he spent over 3 years working in communications, event planning, and coordination. Most recently, Patrick spent more than 2 years with LEO, contributing to their policy and impact team. There, he helped anti-poverty program providers share their research with funders, the public, and policymakers, with the goal of scaling their programs to reach more people.

Having spent several years in Annual Giving, Patrick is excited to return to THE TEAM where it all began. Even though he’s in a new role, he looks forward to leveraging his ND experience, along with his background in marketing and storytelling, to help members of the Notre Dame family deepen their connection with the University.

Please join me in welcoming Patrick Borders!

Indi

Patrick Fun Facts:

– Married to his best friend, Susanne, and they have 2 kids (and 1 dog)
– LOVES living in South Bend and all it has to offer
– Patrick and Susanne are trying to get to games at all 30 MLB ballparks and are currently at 15
– On Friday mornings, the Borders family blasts Taylor Swift as they’re making breakfast for his daughter’s (Jojo) favorite morning of the week “Taytay Friday”
– Grew up in Tell City, IN is is proud of being from such a small, but mighty, town

Friends and Colleagues,

I am excited to announce that Christine (Chris) O’Brien is joining Academic Advancement as the team’s Development Associate. She will be a great first point of contact for colleagues who are looking to learn more about academic fundraising priorities.

With more than 30 years of higher education experience, Chris brings a breadth and diversity of experience that I am confident will serve our team well. For the last 10 years, she has worked at Notre Dame, most recently as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Division of Student Affairs.

Her first day in the office will be January 6. Please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself in the new year!

Sincerely,
Matt Gelchion

Dear Team,

I look forward to all of you meeting Mikaela Pieri when she joins the NDAA team on Monday, January 6. Mikaela is our new Professional and Alumni Education Programs Coordinator. She will support IrishCompass, Game Changers, ThinkND, Hesburgh Lecture Series, and Reunion Alumni Ed programming, among other projects and initiatives.

Mikaela has two degrees from Ball State University and has worked most recently as the Community Engagement Specialist for the Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library. There she honed her skills planning and executing library programs for all ages — virtually and in community. She enjoys working with data, reports, and metrics. Mikaela has also held roles in academic advising and counseling.

Mikaela loves to read, bake, and craft. Her husband, Kendall Smith, works at the University as an analyst and consultant in the Institutional Research, Innovation, and Strategy team. They hope to have pets soon but for now, they tend to lots of indoor houseplants!

Please join me in welcoming Mikaela to the NDAA!

Sharon

Dear colleagues,

I write to share that Helen Rajkumar has accepted a new position at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, beginning Monday, January 6. Her last day in University Relations will be Friday, January 3. Helen served in University Relations for eight years, both in the Alumni Association and the Office of the Vice President for University Relations. We wish Helen all the best as she takes this next step in her career. Her new role aligns beautifully with her faith, and we are confident she will make an impact with her new team at McGrath.

We will post this role soon. In the meantime, please refer any potential candidates for the 405 Main Building senior office coordinator to me.

My best,
Julia

Dear Team,

I write to share the bittersweet news that Michael Infantine will leave his role in Development on January 10th. Michael has served as the Assistant Director for University Stewardship Initiatives for the Department of Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs since March 2023. During this time, he has collaborated to streamline reporting, communications, and fund usage in both divisions and has created numerous stewardship touches for our top benefactors. Additionally, Michael contributed his excellent writing skills and positive spirit to various team-wide projects. Please join me in thanking Michael for sharing his gifts with us and wishing him well as he takes a new role serving Notre Dame at the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good.

We will post the role as soon as possible.  In the meantime, please contact me with any questions regarding stewardship for Athletics or Student Affairs.

Rosie McDowell

Please join me in welcoming Erica Dolcini,who will serve as a Regional Director of Development on the Southern Team! Her first day was Monday, December 16th.

Since her graduation from Notre Dame’s two-year MBA program, Erica has spent six years in the technology and impact space in sales roles. Erica will be relocating from Atlanta, GA, to South Bend for the role. She previously lived in the Bay Area of California, where she grew up. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2011 with a degree in urban planning and still considers herself an architecture nerd. 

Erica’s family is located across the US, but is excited to bring her senior rescue pup Rocco with her on this exciting adventure and move. Erica is excited to reactivate her old email at edolcini@nd.edu. Feel free to reach out with recommendations for Thai food, beach volleyball courts, or any other advise

Tim Kelly

We are thrilled to have Christy join the Southwest Team! Her first day will be December 16th. She comes to us with more than 25 years of professional experience. She spent the first 13 years of her career with First National Bank of Valparaiso and the last 11 years in numerous roles in development at Valparaiso University. She enjoys creating and building relationships with donors and most recently held the position of Executive Director of Planned and Principal Giving at Valpo.

In her personal life, Christy loves spending time with her family and friends including her husband Derek, daughter Alyssa (senior in high school), and son Tyler (sophomore in high school). Favorite family activities include playing tennis, riding roller coasters, sledding, and playing board games. She also has a spirited black lab mix named Maggie.

Please join me in welcoming Christy!

Deanna Gumpf

It is my pleasure to welcome Tom Yemc to the Northwest team as a Regional Director. He will be cultivating relationships with members of the Notre Dame Family in the Bay Area. Tom’s first day will be December 16th.

Tom is a proud graduate of the Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business with a BBA in Finance. Tom was a former resident of Flanner Hall and is a parent to three Notre Dame graduates. Before joining the University, he built a career in information technology at Accenture, in Chicago, rising to the role of a Managing Director. Most recently, he was the Global Alliances Lead at Sutherland Global Services. Additionally, Tom is a volunteer firefighter in his community during his spare time.

Please join me in welcoming Tom!

Shaheen

It is my pleasure to welcome Molly Stark to the Northwest team as a Regional Director. She will be cultivating relationships with members of the Notre Dame Family in the Bay Area. Molly’s first day will be December 9th.

Molly is a proud graduate of Notre Dame and a former volleyball player. After graduating with a degree in Psychology, she spent 10 years playing professional volleyball in the United States and Europe. Prior to joining the University, she spent 15 years as an owner and director of a highly successful elite volleyball club in Phoenix, AZ.

Please join me in welcoming Molly!

Best,
Shaheen