I am thrilled to welcome Laura Marks to the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team as our new Project Manager. Laura’s first day in the office was Monday, August 23rd.

Laura grew up in Hawaii and moved to the area when she was 15, and has been a South Bend native ever since! She’s spent the past six years at Pathfinders Advertising, an advertising agency in the Mishawaka area. Her experience at Pathfinders has lent to her robust background in strategic marketing and project management skills, and ability to take on fast-paced work with ease. We have no doubt that Laura is going to take this role by the horns and lead our team well.

Please join me in welcoming Laura to the team!

Cheers,

Lauren Dolzan

UR Team,

Please note that Thursday, September 2 will be Devon Aragona’s last day on the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team. Devon will be taking her experience and skillset to International Justice Mission (IJM) as their digital marketing lead.

We are grateful for Devon’s many contributions to our team the past three years, including elevating our @NDLoyal social media brand and presence, rallying behind and supporting student groups in their crowd-funding efforts, and leading the charge on Notre Dame Day’s giving website and digital needs. Beyond her work efforts, we will miss her vibrant personality!

If you were working with Devon on any projects, please contact me for a plan of transition. The role of the Digital Marketing Specialist will be posted on jobs.nd.edu in the coming weeks. We will release further information regarding this vacancy as it becomes available.

Please join us in congratulating Devon on her move and wishing her success in this next chapter in her life and career!

Thank you,
Lauren Dolzan

Dear everyone-

Rubén de Jesús Medina will be leaving Development at the end of August to launch an entrepreneurial finance & startup advisory company. As a Double-Domer, with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, he will always have a special place in his heart for Notre Dame. Rubén is very grateful for his time in Development, the friendships made, and wishes the entire UR team much success in the years ahead. Please take a moment to wish Ruben all the best in his new adventures.

Anne Overly

It is my pleasure to welcome our colleague, Geoff Stookey to the Academic and Athletic Annual Giving team as an Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving. Geoff comes highly regarded among colleagues across the division and we know his love for Notre Dame (not to mention his tremendous Notre Dame Story – be sure to ask him if you have not heard it), his work ethic and dedication to his team, and his passion for athletics (Go Irish, Go Zags, and Go Braves!) will serve him well in this new role!

Geoff most recently served the division as Sr. Financial Analyst on the Resource Strategy and Administration team. Geoff is the consummate teammate – always working hard and willing to lend a hand and share his expertise. He does that and more and never wants to take credit. A huge thank you to Geoff for all he has done – he will be missed dearly by the RS&A team! And we couldn’t be more thrilled for Geoff to share his talents in this new way with UR! Geoff’s first day in his new role will be Wednesday, September 1st.

Any budget, financial, position management related questions that Geoff typically fields and can be directed to Rachel Parks and Kathryn Valenti. With Geoff’s transition, we will be redesigning the role into a Director of Finance position. If you know any talented folks interested in such a position, please contact Kathryn.

Kasey O’Connor and Kathryn Valenti

I am thrilled to announce Andrea Swanagan will join University Relations as Senior Director of Prospect and Research Strategy starting on September 1st. In this role, she will lead the talented and growing team of prospect strategy consultants and research analysts who serve as our critical ‘engine of fundraising’ as we plan and embark upon campaign 9. Andrea will sit on the Advancement Services leadership team and will continue to build the growing partnerships with the Gift and Data Management Team, Information Technology and Services team, and the fundraising teams to deliver information to allow for faster and improved decisions.

Andrea has served as Director of Institutional Research at Notre Dame since July 2017. She originally joined the Office of Strategic Planning & Institutional Research (OSPIR) as a Strategic Planning Program Director in April 2013. Prior to her time in OSPIR, Andrea served as an analyst for the Executive Vice President. She has also participated in the University’s leadership rotation program, during which time she worked in the Division of Student Affairs and OSPIR. She initially returned to the University in 2007 as the Director of Worldwide Clubs in the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

Andrea graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2002 with a BA in government and international studies. She was commissioned into the United States Air Force and served on active duty as an intelligence officer for five years, attaining the rank of captain. Andrea earned her MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and an MS in Data Science from the University of Notre Dame. She and her husband, Harold, are the proud parents of three children.

Please join me in welcoming Andrea to UR!!
Heather

Colleagues,

I write to share the bittersweet news that Jackie Thomas will be leaving her role as Young Alumni Program Director to embark on her next adventure in Chicago. During her 6+ years with the Alumni Association, Jackie has been instrumental in re-envisioning our young alumni and student engagement through the important role she has played in the creation of the YoungND board, Domer Dozen, Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar, Traditions Book, Life Beyond The ND Bubble, Senior Medallion, and more. Perhaps most importantly, Jackie is a genuine friend and dear colleague to many across the University. Jackie’s final day with the NDAA will be Friday, September 3. Please join me in thanking Jackie for her service to Notre Dame and wishing her well in this new chapter.

We are working to post this position soon. If you know anyone interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to contact me at jflynt@nd.edu.

Best,
Josh Flynt

The Notre Dame UR Family extends its deepest condolences to Giovana Heeter. Her father, Domenic Cataldo, passed away on Thursday, August 5th. Those who knew Domenic understood that he was a “master craftsman” at creating a family culture that celebrated life, love, and laughter. He and his wife, Sarita, were “locally famous” for welcoming others to their dinner table to share stories, friendship, and their impeccable Italian food and homemade wine. A mass of Christian burial was held Wednesday, August 11th at Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Granger. A celebration of Domenic’s life can be found at this link:

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/elkharttruth/obituary.aspx?n=domenico-cataldo&pid=199700729&fhid=8872

Please keep Domenic, Giovana and Lonnie Heeter, Giovana’s mother, Sarita, and their extended family in your prayers.

-Jason Scarlett

Colleagues,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to share the news that Rich Allocco will be retiring from Notre Dame as of 9/30/2021. Rich joined the Notre Dame Development team in December 2018, after a long and successful career as a Silicon Valley executive. A distinguished Notre Dame graduate, Rich played football for the Irish and was a member of the 1973 National Championship team under Ara Parseghian. Rich has been an integral part of the Northwest region, residing in Northern California and working with benefactors in and around the San Francisco Bay area. His passion for Our Lady’s University, professionalism, and great care for his constituents and his teammates will be greatly missed. A wonderful Notre Dame representative, Rich embodies all that makes Notre Dame and Her family so special.

Rich will be in the Bay Area wrapping up gift conversations and transitioning his constituents over the next 45 days. We are incredibly grateful for Rich’s many contributions to our team, and will miss his experience and passion for Notre Dame. Please join us in congratulating Rich on his upcoming retirement and wishing him continued success in this next chapter in life!

Thank you,

Sean Sharpe

Don’t forget to register if you and your family plan to attend;

To register:

1. Go to ND UR Summit
2. Enter the total number of guests in the appropriate category & Click “Add to cart”
3. On the next page – enter the Host ID: ND UR Summit  in the DISCOUNT CODE box then Click “Apply”
4. Enter your name, email address and address (Note – you can enter your home or work address)
5. Click “Checkout”
6. You will receive an email (to the address used in your registration) from “Potawatomi Zoological Society – eTickets”.   Within the email is a link to your e-tickets.
7. Once at the zoo, you will need to get your tickets scanned (e-tickets or printed tickets) for entrance.

It is my pleasure to welcome Kevin Frost to the Sorin Society Giving team as an Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving. Kevin’s first day will be Monday, August 16th.

Kevin is a 2016 graduate of Notre Dame and will be relocating to South Bend from New York, where he started his career. Kevin joined SAP after graduation, before being appointed business and sales development director at Innodata, Inc, an IT service management company. We are especially thrilled to welcome Kevin back to Notre Dame Development, as he was a student caller and manager in our student center (now ND Listens) during his time on campus.

Please join me in welcoming Kevin back home to Notre Dame. His work as a fundraiser will not only drive our giving society memberships, but his love for Notre Dame will serve the Sorin team well! We are thrilled to have him as the newest member of our team!

In Notre Dame,

Pablo Martínez