Please join me in congratulating Colleen Cross and fellow Double Domer and ND employee Joe Quinn, who were married in a ceremony at the Basilica on July 30. Colleen and Joe were the model of patience and persistence during a long year of pandemic-related reschedules, and the Foundation Relations team couldn’t be happier that the two finally got to celebrate their big day with family and friends.
Best wishes to the newlyweds on starting their next adventure together!
-Amanda Retartha
It is my pleasure to welcome Caitlyn Clinton and Leslie Curry to the Giving Programs team!
Caitlyn is a 2020 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BA in American Studies and a Minor in Business and Economics. Prior to starting her role with University Relations, Caitlyn was a Marketing and Social Media Specialist for Operation BBQ Relief. While at the University, Caitlyn was involved in Student Government, Ryan Hall leadership, Fighting Irish Media, and most importantly, the University Relations Internship! Caitlyn will oversee ND Listens, the Class of 2022 Notre Dame Pledge, and other student focused initiatives. I’m so excited for the good work Caitlyn will do with our students.
Leslie graduated from Valparaiso University with a BS in Business Administration, and additionally, she has a Project Management Professional certification. Prior to coming to University Relations, Leslie was the Director of Annual Giving at Valparaiso University. She is well-versed in the world of Development, and more specifically, Annual Giving. Leslie will manage our Annual Giving renewal process, drive revenue for the Notre Dame Fund, and increase the total number of recurring Annual Giving donors. I have full confidence that Leslie’s experience and skill set will elevate the work we do on the Giving Programs Team.
Please join me in welcoming both Caitlyn and Leslie!
-Katie Kerby
Happy Birthday to all our colleagues celebrating their special days in August! We hope you have a great day and a wonderful year!
8/2 – Colleen Cross
8/4 – Jim Small
8/10 – Tara Gilchrist
8/12 – Katie Edel
8/12 – Melissa Medina
8/13 – Sean Carroll
8/14 – Lauren Dolzan
8/16 – Brian Benedict
8/17 – Jennifer Pratt
8/18 – Tim Kelly
8/19 – Brent Henningfeld
8/19 – Julia Sama
8/23 – Amanda Retartha
8/23 – Shaheen Goldrick
8/27 – George West
8/30 – Abbey Johnson
8/30 – Michelle Varda
Colleagues,
I write to share that Ashley Baranowski has accepted a new role as Program Director with the Inspired Leadership Initiative here at Notre Dame starting on August 9th.
We are very grateful for Ashley’s many contributions these past 2 years to our team and the Cavanaugh Council and President’s Circle programs including: her incredible work on our annual impact report, especially this past year as we transitioned to a digital format; coordination and relationships with students including our CCPC scholars; her work with our mentorship program; and her partnership with the Central and Illinois regions.
Please join me in congratulating Ashley on her new role and wishing her all the best in this next chapter!
If you were working with Ashely on any projects or have any questions, please contact me or Jen Odell.
Thank you,
Mary Jane Añón
It is with mixed emotions that I share Julia Onghetich’s decision to devote her energies to being a full time mother to her sons Tim and Nile. You may know that Julia and her husband Bob, who graduated from the Notre Dame Law School in 2020, have already relocated to Indianapolis. I say mixed emotions because we are happy for Julia to be able to spend more time with her family, but will miss her leadership and dedication dearly. Under her leadership, stewardship communications have evolved greatly. She and her team were responsible for quickly making acknowledgments from Fr. John Jenkins and Lou Nanni electronic when COVID required remote work. She was the creator of the latest versions of the Stewardship Report, enhanced financial aid stewardship communications and many other impact communications and reporting significantly. She has also served as an incredible stewardship partner for both Corporate and Foundation Relations.
Julia’s last day on the Stewardship & Donor Relations team will be September 3. If you are interested in learning more about this role as Director for Stewardship Communications, please let me know. We plan to post as soon as possible. Julia is also happy to discuss her role with interested colleagues.
Katherine Lane
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the family of Danny Knight, whose husband Andrew passed away on Saturday, July 24.
Andrew was a devoted husband and father and a man of deep faith. His loss is felt by all those who had the privilege to meet and know him. Andrew’s obituary can be found here.
Visitation will be this Thursday, July 29, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. Andrew’s life will be celebrated on Friday, July 30 at 6:30 PM. Services will take place at Osceola Grace Church, 58343 S. Apple Road, Osceola, IN.
Thank you for your love and support of Danny and her family.
-Mark Welch
Dear Colleagues,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to share that Renee Romanelli is resigning as regional director on the New York Metro team. Her last day will be Friday, August 13.
In the two and a half years Renee has served in her role, she has built and strengthened key relationships on behalf of Notre Dame, raised significant resources for our students and represented the University with class. She will be missed.
Please join me in thanking Renee and wishing her well in her next endeavors!
All the best,
Ryan
I am pleased to announce that Matt Cannizzo has joined the NY Metro team as regional director, effective July 26.
Matt (ND ’94) has served his other alma mater, Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey, for the past 24 years. Matt began as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid before being appointed the Dean of Studies and Director of Admission and Financial Aid in 2009, with the division exceeding ambitious enrollment targets annually under his leadership. For the past 7 years, he has led and successfully grown the school’s development efforts as the Director of Institutional Advancement, most recently completing an 8-figure capital campaign that exceeded goal by 25%. Matt and his wife, Sarah, an ND alum, have two children, Nate and Grace.
Please join me in welcoming Matt to our UR team!
All the best,
Ryan
With the transitioning back to the office, a few reminders about parking at Eddy Street:
Any cars that do not abide by these rules, will be ticketed per Eddy Street Building Management.
If you have any questions about parking on Eddy Street, please contact Lana Taylor.
After nearly 18 years working in service of Our Lady’s mission, Al Bucci has announced his retirement. We offer Al our deep appreciation, gratitude and congratulations.
Al has been an incredible member of the UR Development team. His kindness, leadership and team-focused approach will be missed. Al has developed strong relationships internally and externally with benefactors. His work has left a lasting positive impact at Notre Dame and with the students the University serves. He leaves this role feeling blessed for the opportunity to have worked at Notre Dame and grateful for all his friends and Development colleagues. His last official day will be August 31st.
A 1977 graduate of Notre Dame, Al walked on the football team and still claims he has eligibility left if only offenses would utilize the fullback. He met Marilyn, his wife and a 1978 St. Mary’s College grad, here. They have four children, two who graduated from Notre Dame.
He looks forward to writing more novels and “hanging out a bit.” He promises that whatever he does, it’ll be fun. He added, “I’ll be watching, too, as I know the development office will continue its great success.”
Thank you, Al for all that you have provided in service of Notre Dame for nearly two decades. We wish you all the best that life has to offer as you, literally and figuratively, write these next chapters.