Dear UR Team,

I wanted to let you know that Sean Sharpe informed Lou, Sara, and the Executive Directors that he will step away from leading the Northwest Team and become a fundraiser in regional development.

In his own words, Sean said, “This decision comes not only with mixed emotions, but with gratitude and excitement; I have truly enjoyed being a part of and leading the Northwest region, and am thankful for the opportunity. I am eternally grateful for the dedication, hard work, and collaboration among our team and the broader UR family. Our ERD/SRD team is the best in higher education, and I am grateful to be a part of it. I am also excited to contribute in a different capacity, as I feel at this time in my journey it is the best use of my skills and experience, and the most effective way for me to serve Our Lady and drive philanthropy for Notre Dame.”

I want to acknowledge Sean for giving everything he had to lead the Northwest Team. I am inspired by his commitment to serve Notre Dame and by the courage it takes to make this call. I have great admiration for both. Sean will remain the leader of the Northwest Team until the next Senior Regional Director is selected.

Though he will be in a new role, we will count on Sean to continue to be a leader in our department. With his energy, excitement and dedication to Notre Dame, I know success will follow for him in this next role.

For the Northwest team, we will begin discussions for that next leader shortly. More details to follow.

In Notre Dame,

Jerry

Please join us in welcoming Amy Dame to Regional Development as a Development Coordinator (DC).

A graduate of Illinois State University, Amy obtained her Master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. She has spent the past four years at Mendoza working with Graduate Students in the MBA program. Amy lives in Granger with her husband and three boys and enjoys being her childrens’ “Uber” driver and watching their various activities, from soccer to hockey to lacrosse and Vex robotics.

Fun fact: Amy lived and worked in Las Vegas for 7 years.

Amy’s first day will be Monday, February 26th.

Angie Dennig and Lori Tinkey

Colleagues,

Please be aware of a recent change to the Storytelling team. As of today, Amber Cerveny is no longer with the University. If you were working with Amber on any projects, please get in touch with me for a project transition plan.

Thank you,
Brandon Tabor

Please note that the Women Owned Business Market mentioned in today’s souNDoff is being held on Monday, March 4th, not the 14th. The corrected blurb will run again next week and read:

Women Owned Business Market
In celebration of Women’s History Month, join South Bend vendors to shop and learn more about local women-owned businesses. The event will take place Monday, March 4, from 3-7PM in the Dahnke Ballroom. 

We apologize for any confusion.

Beginning in March 2024, all content from more than 34,000 inactive Google & Box accounts will be deleted. This may affect files shared with you from those accounts.

Google Drive: Find at-risk files now

Everyone will now be able to EASILY search their Google Drive for files at risk of being deleted.

In addition, a red label will be added to all native Google Apps files owned by an account pending deletion per the Account Lifecycle Process.

You can use the new Label field in Advance Search to automatically display a list of all files shared with you that are owned by accounts pending deletion.

I am excited to announce today the promotions of Katie O’Friel and Meghan Walsh to Senior Prospect Management Consultant, joining Senior Consultant Cindy Karpovs in assuming additional responsibilities for some of our global prospect management processes, as well assisting with hiring gaps and new Consultant onboarding.

Meghan has been with the University since 2009, taking on a wide range of responsibilities, most recently in her work developing the Southern region, and serving a critical role as team liaison to the AsceND project.

Katie has been with the team since 2021, and in addition to building a strong pipeline for both the Northwest and Southwest regions, helped advance our Incoming Parents review process and took a significant leadership role in onboarding our newest Consultants.

Katie will continue to lead our Incoming Parent assignment process, while Meghan assumes UR Exec and ERD portfolio management responsibilities, all while continuing their work with the Northwest and Southern regions, respectively. Cindy, as part of this redefined role, will take on greater responsibility for training and documentation across all Consultant processes.

Please join me in congratulating Katie and Meghan, and thanking all three of our Senior Consultants for their leadership!

Sincerely,
Jonathan Retartha

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

Congratulations to Rachel and Greg Schaefer and big sister, Caroline, on their new arrival! They welcomed Audrey Kathryn Schaefer into the world on Friday afternoon (2.16.24). From Rachel — they are overjoyed and a little under-slept!

-Patty Kokesh