Kathy Wadolowski ’16, ’17 MSM is going to New York University!

Please help us wish Kathy a fond farewell as she embarks upon her new position as Communications Specialist for the Stern School of Business at New York University. Kathy, a Double Domer, joined the Storytelling and Engagement team in July 2017. We’ve had the joy of seeing Kathy grow throughout her career here, and she has become an integral member of our team.

Kathy has worked on countless storytelling proposals, including some of the most challenging ones our team has ever taken on. Juggling details, numbers, photos, personalities, and often arcane particulars is not for the faint of heart. Kathy always got the job done—and she did it well! She wrote more than $1 billion in fundraising proposals during her tenure, in addition to hours of scriptwriting, producing and voiceover work for Notre Dame Day, Here Come the Irish football show, and many other productions.

Kathy’s last day will be January 28. We bid her a heartfelt adieu, but not a goodbye, for Notre Dame will forever be part of her, and she a part of us.

Thank you, Kathy!

-David Chaudoir

It is our pleasure to welcome both Danielle Filgueira and Paul Hernandez as Associate Directors, Leadership Annual Giving, where they will add to growing unrestricted and giving society membership and continue to cultivate benefactors across the country. Their first day will be Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

Danielle is a double domer, having graduated in 2011 before recently receiving her Master’s in Nonprofit Administration this past year. A Miami native, she is surprisingly excited to once again experience all four seasons the Midwest has to offer! Danielle has grown in her professional career with HH Construction Group INC. where she exemplified her growth mindset and ability to develop business relationships. Her competitive nature and love for her alma mater will serve the team well as she joins the Sorin Society team!

Paul is a two time graduate of St. Francis University, graduating in 2011 and completing his Master’s in Organizational Leadership – Higher Education Administration in 2018. Prior to joining Development, Paul served as Employer Engagement Manager, for the University’s Center for Career Development, where he fostered key relationships and developed new relationships with recruiters and C-suite level leadership in a variety of companies and industries. Paul also has experience working in higher education admissions serving as Associate Director of Admissions at the Mendoza College of Business and Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of St. Francis. We cannot be more thrilled to welcome Paul to the Academic and Athletics Giving team!

Please join us in welcoming Danielle and Paul who will be primarily serving benefactors in the Southwest region, New England, and the greater Chicago area this year!

Thanks,
Kasey O’Connor and Pablo Martínez

Dear Colleagues,

Please join me in wishing Darlean Vance the best of luck as she departs the University this weekend. As many of you know, Dar has the incredible opportunity to be in the Indianapolis metro area with her family, especially her grandson, Bennett, as he receives treatment. A true testament to Dar, her offer to be there for her family exemplifies how she has been one of the most selfless, caring, and compassionate members of our UR Family and to say she will be sorely missed is an understatement!

Dar’s work building relationships with our giving society members for the past nine years, as well as her gracious offer to work in Gift Management through the calendar year end, will be missed by both benefactors and colleagues alike. She has been the voice of Notre Dame to many of our members, and we are grateful for all of her hard work, joyful nature, and dedication to our mission.

Please join me in wishing Dar and her family all the best in the future. Please feel free to stay in touch with Dar at vanjdka1@att.net.

Dar – you will always have your Notre Dame family here for you when you need it!

– Annual Giving and Gift Management

It is my pleasure to welcome Chris Liberto to the Northwest team as Regional Director. Chris’ first day will be 1/18/2022, and he will be working with constituents in Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota.

Chris Liberto is a proud graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but as an Irish Catholic, he’d tell you his true passion and values most closely align with those of Our Lady’s University.

Chris is thrilled to join the Notre Dame family following a successful career as the Executive Director for Camp High Hopes, a non-profit camp in western Iowa aimed at providing unique camping experiences for kids, teens and adults with special needs and chronic illness. Chris spent the majority of his professional career in broadcast journalism where he spent 10 years as a news and sports anchor for ABC covering Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Chris’s passion for helping others has shown in his volunteer work, creating two non-profit organizations in Sioux City and serving on multiple Boards of Directors.

Chris and his wife Jenna are looking forward to joining the South Bend/Michiana community after spending nearly two decades in Sioux City. Chris and Jenna have three very energetic kids, Hunter (10 years old), Quinn (7 years old) and Kennedy (4 years), and a mini-golden doodle named Rosie. The family enjoys walks, bike rides, movies and plans to be regulars at Notre Dame sporting events, cheering on the Irish!

Please join me in welcoming Chris Liberto to the team!

Sean Sharpe

Join the Google First Wizarding College

The Office of Information Technologies (OIT) has launched a new initiative to improve campus awareness and expand use of all the various Google tools at our disposal. To this end, they have designed the Google First Wizarding College – a fun, educational game designed to promote and teach the use of Google collaboration tools such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chat.

The program is intended for staff and faculty, is self-guided, and takes 30-60 minutes per level to complete. The first level opens January 18 and the program continues through the spring semester. There are wizard prizes for each level, too!

Learn more or sign up for the Google First Wizarding College at https://go.nd.edu/googlefirst/

For 24/7 self-service assistance including the virtual agent, go to: servicenow.nd.edu, or contact the OIT Help Desk during business hours at 574-631-8111 or oithelp@nd.edu.

Dear UR colleagues,

The office of Gift and Data Management will be closed on Friday, January 14, 2022 for the team to enjoy a well-deserved long weekend after working over the University holiday break. Therefore, there will be no gift processing completed and the reports for Saturday will not differ from the reports on Friday. Someone will be answering the general phone line and email box for benefactors who need assistance.

The team did an excellent job of answering benefactor and internal partner questions, sending tax receipts, preparing and processing gifts, bio updates and partnering with the Controller’s office to execute a very smooth and efficient calendar year end! Thank you for all your partnership and support!

Amy Schell

It is my pleasure to welcome Betsy Hughes to the Southwest team as a regional director of development. Betsy’s first day will be on January 18, and she will serve benefactors in Arizona.

Betsy has spent her career in fundraising for numerous non-profit organizations throughout the country. Most recently, she served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for United Way of Metro Chicago, where she secured the organization’s first 8-figure gift for community development. She also served for 15 years as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Illinois Institute of Technology

Betsy graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Communication. She is from Pennsylvania but has spent the past 30 years in Chicago with her husband, Lyle, and two daughters.

I am thrilled to welcome Betsy to the Notre Dame family and the Southwest team. Please join me in welcoming her to the UR team!

Shelby

Today, we offer our deepest condolences to Larry Helmsing upon the passing of his mother, Katherine (Kathy) Helmsing, on Tuesday, January 4 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The full obituary may be found here.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Friday, January 14 at St Peter’s Catholic Church, 518 East Dewald Street, Fort Wayne with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be held from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, January 13, at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home in Fort Wayne.

Please keep Larry and his entire family in your prayers.

~IT&S Team

We are writing to update you on the job responsibilities of Angel Hess:

Angel has transitioned to a role supporting Kim Borza Donaldson, in addition to Melissa Lechlitner-Lewis and Mike Brown. In addition to this support, Angel will continue to manage communications with the Advisory Council for the Student-Athlete, Athletics leadership gift acknowledgments, and Athletics Advancement office operations. She also assists with Athletics gift reporting, Athletics Department communications, and event management for Athletics Advancement and the Monogram Club.

Angel is a wonderful member of the Athletics Advancement team, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on Athletics priorities!

– Kim Borza Donaldson & Brian Powell

Congratulations to Dawn Smith on her new grandson! Greyson Lawrence Danley was born on Monday, January 10th weighing in at 7lbs 3oz. Mom (Dawn’s daughter) Lexy, Dad Philip, and big brother Delcan are all doing great!

Best wishes to their whole family!