Staffing Matters

New Staff
 

Kevin Barry

Director of Development
Karsh Institute 

Kevin first came to UVA from the University of Maryland's Office of Gift Planning, and has spent the past five years serving as a Director of Development with the College Foundation. In his free time, he enjoys hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, hunting for vinyl records, and exploring Virginia's many growing wineries. 

Congratulations, Kevin!

New Role
 

Kelly Graham

Director of Development
University Library 

Kelly Graham will join the University Library team as its new Director of Development and begins her new role on September 23. Kelly joins the Library from the University Priorities team, where she has served since 2021, most recently as Senior Associate Director of Development. Prior to her “return” to UVA, Kelly held a variety of roles in University Advancement at William & Mary, including her last position as Assistant Dean for Development at W&M Law School. Kelly will report to Heather Engel.

Congratulations, Kelly!

New Staff
 

Erin Wissing

Deputy Executive Director
Virginia Athletics Foundation 

Wissing joins the VAF after spending the past seven years at Furman where she played a key role in the vision and oversight of athletics fundraising, leading all aspects of philanthropy for Furman Athletics. Read more here. 

Welcome, Erin!

Chrissy Lucey 

Advancement Coordinator
School of Engineering 

I have experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors working in advancement, development, and administration. I have two amazing kids and enjoy reading and crafting in my free time. 

Welcome, Chrissy!


 

Kristina Snyder

Senior Associate Director of Development
Parents Program   

I recently spent 9.5 years with the Parents Programs and Giving team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.  I am a lifelong Marylander who loves 'all things Chesapeake Bay', traveling and hometown sports.  Go O's and Go Ravens! 

Welcome, Kristina!

 Farewell
 

Akilah Blakey

Prospect Researcher
Advancement Operations

The PMR&A team gives a fond farewell to Akilah, who is leaving UVA to pursue a new opportunity. Her last day with us is Thursday, September 12. We appreciate all of her work and collegial spirit and wish her the best in her next chapter!

Good luck, Akilah!

Representing UVA

Ryan Collins, Ali Freeman, and Chris Hubert presented, You Can Have It All! Building a Lead Program that Works for Everyone at the APRA conference in Seattle, Washington on August 22. In their presentation, they recounted the journey to build a holistic lead program that serves all of UVA and shared the pain points, blind spots, and innovative solutions they found along the way.  

New Staff
 

Hannah Foster

Associate Director of Annual Giving
Fralin Museum of Art 

Hannah joined The Fralin Museum of Art and University Advancement after serving as the director of a contemporary art gallery in New York City. She is also a writer with bylines in The New York Times, Hyperallergic, Dance Magazine, The Brooklyn Rail, and more, and in a past life she was a professional ballet dancer. She is thrilled to have defeated Jake Pittman at the recent development retreat's rock paper scissors tournament. (Sorry not sorry Jake!) 

Welcome, Hannah!

Amanda Rae 

Creative Project Manager
Advancement Communications  

I previously worked at The Global Headquarters of Under Armour as a Footwear Developer, executing signature designs for professional and collegiate athletes. I love to spend time with my family and ideally you will find us at the beach, pool or a sporting event. I love trying new breweries, wineries and food spots. 

Welcome, Amanda!


 

Melissa Hannah

Assistant Director
Digital Engagement  

Melissa Hannah is a marketing specialist with extensive experience in digital marketing, social media, and email marketing. Over the past two years, she helped develop, brand, and market the successful employment program at UVA called Pipelines & Pathways, driving success in event marketing campaigns and recruitment initiatives. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University, and her Digital Marketing Certificate from UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Melissa is now the Assistant director for Digital Engagement at the Office of Engagement at UVA, where she will focus on email marketing campaigns for events. She is originally from Nashville, Tennessee and lives with her husband and her pet cat, Marbles. Melissa enjoys spending her free time by playing video games, writing, creating art, or sewing. 

Welcome, Melissa!

New Staff
 

Jon Holmsted 

Director of Development
Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Jon is a 2010 graduate of UVA (College of Arts & Sciences) where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government with a minor in Economics. Jon and his wife Maddie are Charlottesville residents, and she is also a UVA alum. 

Jon has six years of experience in political campaigns, political fundraising, and institutional grant-seeking from his previous work with The Bonner Group and Elevate in Washington D.C.  

He has been with UVA for six and a half years, starting his career as an Associate Director of Development for the College Foundation. During this time, he oversaw volunteer fundraising boards, led fundraising for the unrestricted College Fund, and assumed major gift responsibility on a regional basis. Jon transitioned into his next role at UVA with the Virginia Athletics Foundation where he worked for two years fundraising, offering elevated stewardship to multi-year donors, helped tremendously to establish the Baseball Coaches Club, and most recently served as Director of Major Gifts. 

Jon is now joining the Batten School as the new Director of Development, and he will be splitting his time between Garrett Hall and the UVA Advancement office on Old Ivy Road. 

Welcome, Jon!

Mary Leggett 

Direct Marketing Strategist
Office of Engagement 

Mary is the new Direct Marketing Strategist for University Annual Giving Direct Marketing. In her role, Mary will manage the coordination, execution, and analysis of data for multi-channel appeals. She joins us from The University of Pennsylvania where she worked in College Houses and Academic Services. Mary graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in English focusing on Digital Literacy. She loves backpacking, sewing, 1970s American cinema and trying new food from around the world. 

Welcome, Mary!


 

Peter Daniel

Associate Director of Development
School of Architecture  

I am a Virginia native and graduate of UVa, as is one of my 2 sons. A marketing and stock brokerage experience in my early years led to an investment banking career in New York. Additionally I pursued my passions in art and architecture through the Philip Johnson Glass House and most recently as Trustee and Treasurer for the UVa Architecture School Foundation. My farm, Highfield, is my contribution to sustainable tree management and erosion control that I have engineered. I enjoy tennis, hiking, classic design homes and automobiles, 25 handicap golf. 

Welcome, Peter!

Role Change
 

Mary Clyde Bissett

Project Associate
Engagement  

Mary Clyde Bissett started her new role as the University Annual Giving Direct Marketing Project Associate on Monday, August 26. She previously worked as the Development Associate for the Library Advancement team since June 2022 (immediately following her graduation from UVA!). At Library, Mary Clyde supported engagement and donor relations efforts through event planning and record management. In her new role, Mary Clyde will provide support to the Direct Marketing team. Congrats, Mary Clyde! 

Congratulations, Mary!

New Staff
 

Tifany Hendricks 

Senior Associate Director, Health Development Partnerships

I am a mom to a nine-year-old boy. In my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and traveling to new places. I love visiting wineries and trying new restaurants. I have a passion for food! I love cooking and trying new recipes. 

Welcome, Tifany!

Kelly Ard 

Assistant Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Relations

Kelly Ard joined Auburn University in July 2015 in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations where she focused on developing strategic corporate relationships to maximize engagement and philanthropic support. In that role, Kelly worked with institutional leaders, faculty, and administrators across the university to identify mutually beneficial partnerships to advance the institution’s mission and initiatives. By aligning university initiatives with corporate and industry demands, Kelly facilitated collaborative approaches to corporate partnerships leveraging workforce demands, economic development, and impact. With a mission to seek and secure financial support from corporate and foundation entities, she assisted with identifying new partnerships and establishing a seamless experience for companies and foundations to engage with the university.  

Most recently, Kelly served at the Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, leading the fundraising efforts for the college including managing, mentoring and coaching development officers and coordinators; implementing strategic stewardship and engagement plans; and working with the dean to ensure that all the college’s development and fundraising goals were met. Additionally, Kelly also served as a major gift fundraiser for the college and managed a robust portfolio.  

Prior to joining Auburn University, Kelly was a firm administrator and paralegal facilitating corporate transactions and interests, driving business development initiatives, corporate outreach efforts, and aligning corporate/501c3 development needs with social responsibility efforts – among other areas within the legal field including criminal, family, and insurance defense law. In 2013, she established her own client base and assisted numerous companies and local businesses with community outreach and fundraising initiatives. 

Throughout her career at Auburn University, Kelly has instructed (intermittently) the Paralegal Certification Course in the Office of Professional & Continuing Education – Auburn University Outreach.  

Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in history from James Madison University, with a minor in Italian language and studies. Her husband, Dalton, is a small business owner in the Auburn area. They have a nine-year-old son, Aplin.  

Welcome, Kelly!
 

Richard Jones

Associate Director of Development
UVA Parents Program 

Richard has spent the past decade serving in independent schools in a number of teaching, coaching, and administrative roles. An avid reader and writer, his nose is usually buried in a book during his free time -- if he isn't playing with his nephews or hiking with his lab, Zeke. 

Welcome, Richard!

Abigail Kimbrough 

Senior Associate Director, Philanthropic Partnerships, Cancer Programs 

Abby joins us from Albemarle County Public Schools, where she has been a teaching assistant in a first grade classroom for the last three years. Prior to that, she has been a full time wife and mom to husband Lance and her three children (Henry, Margaret, and Mac), as well as a community volunteer with many organizations. In her professional career, Abby worked as a major gift officer for the College of Arts & Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill and as the Senior Director for Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. In her free time, you might find Abby curled up with a compelling work of fiction, but most likely she is cheering on her family as they do what they love (investing/building spreadsheets, track and field, field hockey, and basketball). 

Welcome, Abby!
 

Savannah Blake

Assistant Director, Direct Marketing 
University Advancement 

Savannah Blake joins us from Washington and Lee University, where she served as Assistant Director of Annual Giving. Savannah graduated from Longwood University with a degree in History and Political Science. She currently resides in Lexington, Virginia with her husband, two dogs, and cat, where she enjoys reading, cooking, and days spent by the river. 

Welcome, Savannah!

Melanie Simon

Associate Director
Health Development Partnerships  

Melanie has worked at the College Foundation for the past six years in roles relating to stewardship and prospect research. In her free time, she likes to travel, explore new wineries, and spend time at the beach. 

Welcome, Melanie!

Role Change
 

Jessica Robertson

Director of Development
SCPS   

UVA is grateful to announce Jessica Robertson as the new Director of Development, SCPS. 

Congratulations, Jessica!

New Role

Becky Collier 

Assistant Director of Prospect Analytics
Advancement  

The Prospect Management, Research, and Analytics (PMR&A) team is excited to recognize Becky Collier and announce her promotion to Assistant Director of Prospect Analytics! 

An integral member of our prospect analytics team, Becky’s ability to work with complex data and translate its infrastructure has resulted in innovative and impactful deliverables; and her dedication to service excellence ensures that partners across Grounds receive superior support and actionable solutions. 

In this new role, Becky’s natural leadership skills will shine as she takes on the management of campaign analyses and prospect information in our current and future database states—helping to develop guides and standards that will promote informational accuracy and efficiency. As a leading PMR&A liaison for the Business Intelligence and CRM Transition teams, Becky will continue to foster key collaborations by spearheading data-driven strategic initiatives within the department. 

Please join us in congratulating Becky on her next chapter in University Advancement! 

Congratulations, Becky!

Farewell
 

Teresa Liu

Assistant Director of Prospect Analytics
Advancement  

Teresa Liu is leaving UVA to serve as the Sr. Manager for Prospect Management at the Trevor Project, a remarkable organization dedicated to LGBTQIA suicide prevention. While we are sad to see Teresa go, we are incredibly grateful for the significant contributions she has made to our team, including leading the analytics team, participating in the CRM transformation, and analyzing our current and future campaigns. Please join the PMR&A team in congratulating Teresa on her new role!

Best Wishes, Teresa!

Jenn Downey

Development Associate for UVA Health Children's Hospital

Jenn Downey has accepted a new position as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Development Officer of Young Life, an organization she has been involved with as a volunteer for many years.  During the past two years, as the Development Associate for the UVA Health Children's team, Jenn worked with her team to develop and cultivate the grateful family philanthropy process and played a vital role in launching the children's campaign to expand the NICU and PICU.  Jenn's last day with UHD will be August 9th.

Best Wishes, Jenn!

Richard Long

Director of Development, UVA Health Children's Hospital 

After two years of leadership with our UVA Health Children’s development team, Richard Long has accepted a new position at Christopher Newport University. His last day at UVA Health Children’s will be on August 9th.  We are grateful for Richard for his dedication in seeking philanthropic support for pediatric initiatives, and for launching our NICU/PICU expansion campaign. He is a thoughtful and strategic leader, and we wish him well in his new role.

Best Wishes, Richard!

JoonHyung Cho

Director of Corporate Relations and Business Development
Corporate and Foundation Relations

Joon Cho's last day with UVA will be August 9, 2024. JoonHyung "Joon" Cho, who has served as the Director of Corporate Relations and Business Development on the CFR team for the past two+ years will be depaturing UVA on August 9th. Joon has been instrumental in building our central corporate relations team and fostering collaborations with stakeholders across Grounds. His background in university-industry research partnerships and technology transfer has significantly furthered our team’s vision of establishing a “front door” or corporate engagement at UVA. Joon’s next stop will be at the University of Minnesota, where he’ll serve as Assistant VP for External Affairs and Communications in the Research and Innovation Office. While we will miss his presence—his optimism and sense of humor—we wish Joon all the best at UMN and all his future endeavors.

Best Wishes, JoonHyung!

New Staff

Alicia Bochi 

Associate Director, Gift Planning
Advancement  

Alicia is thrilled to be returning to UVA Advancement in Gift Planning. She had previously supported Development for McIntire for 5 years, based in NYC and covering this Northeast Region. She has been based in NYC since graduation from UVA in 1994 and is a Board Member for the Virginia Club of New York. She loves spending time with my family which includes 2 adult children, riding her bike in Central Park and gallery hopping in Chelsea. 

Congratulations, Alicia!

Jenna Nichols

Senior Associate Director, Technology User Experience 
Advancement  

My past experience includes communications and strategy efforts across non-profits, government agencies, high educations, and more. I love photography and collecting cameras. I have a camera from each decade of the 1900's with the oldest being one of the first Kodak Brownies from 1903. 

Congratulations, Jenna!

Farewell

Robin Mitchell   

Executive Director of Development, University Priorities
Development 

Please join us in wishing a warm farewell to Robin Mitchell.

Best Wishes, Robin!

 University Advancement proudly acknowledges and congratulates the following individuals on their recent promotions:
  

Courtney Bibb, Managing Director, UVA Parents
Dan Biggs, Associate Director Business Intelligence Analyst 
Matthew Blough, Assistant Director for Digital Engagement and Communications  
Charity Boudouris, Senior Director, Campaign Communications  
Jenn Cornell, Director of Development, Education  
Chrissy Gibbons, Senior Director of Development for Medical Research, UVA Health  
Steve Glass, Director of Gift and UAO Business Administration   
Bo Greenwood, Executive Director of Development  
Amelia Kelly, Senior Prospect Researcher  
Tiffany Morris, Associate Director for Donor Relations  
Mary Lynn Musser, Associate Director for Alumni and Parent Travel  
Pat O'Donnell, Senior Associate Director, Reunion Giving  
David Pinker, Executive Director for Advancement Technology Solutions  
Jake Pittman, Director of Major Gifts, University Priorities  
Amy Quick, Project Lead, UVA Cancer Programs  
Sarah Robinson, Associate Director for Advancement Analytics  
Matt Rose, Senior Associate Director for Business Intelligence & Reporting  
David Vargo, Systems Administrator 

 New Role

Gina DeMattia  

Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving
Darden 

We are thrilled to announce that Gina DeMattia is taking on new responsibilities at the Darden School Foundation, transitioning into the role of Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving. Since joining Darden in 2019, Gina has shown remarkable initiative and dedication in managing volunteer relationships and leading class giving efforts for 1984-2004. In her new role, she joins Darden’s Frontline Fundraising team, overseeing a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects. Her focus will be on growing the Darden Society and strengthening the Foundation’s ‘Next Gen’ pipeline. We are confident that Gina will excel in this role and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make. Please join us in congratulating Gina!  

Congratulations, Gina!

Farewell

Abigail Simmerman   

Donor Experience Officer
Engagement 

Please join the Donor Experience team in wishing a warm farewell to Abigail Simmerman as she leaves her role to pursue her PhD at Penn State this fall. Abigail’s last day at UVA will be July 26. Since joining the Office of Engagement as a Donor Experience Officer in 2022, Abigail has met with hundreds of donors and helped secure significant support for the University. She has also been an active member of OOE’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee, leading the recent roundtable series. Join us in congratulating Abigail on pursuing this new challenge; she will be missed! 

Best Wishes, Abigail!

 New Staff

Maeve Hayden 

Assistant Director of Donor Relations   
University Advancement 

A graduate of UVA’s College of Arts and Sciences, Maeve brings a wealth of experience to the role, from internships at the Virginia Festival of the Book and the Maxine Platzer Women’s Center, to several years’ experience as a writer and editor at the Cville Weekly, and a wealth of experience pitching, researching, and writing profiles, interviews, food, art, music and more as a freelance writer for weekly newspapers and magazines, and more. In addition to this professional experience, Maeve earned her Masters in Publishing from George Washington University in 2022.  

Most recently, since February 2024, Maeve has been part of the Office of Engagement in the temporary role of Donor Relations Writer and Project Coordinator. In this capacity, Maeve collaborated with colleagues across Grounds to write and send hundreds of personalized gift acknowledgement letters to top donors across the University on behalf of President Ryan and Mark Luellen, and she will continue to manage and finesse this program in her new role. 

Welcome, Maeve!

Justin Spence 

Associate Director of Development  
Engineering 

Justin has extensive experience in constituent relations including board management, volunteer engagement, annual giving and event execution. He enjoys craft breweries, kayaking and spending time in Charleston, South Carolina with his two nieces, Millie and Charlie. 

Welcome, Justin!

 New Role

Joyce Chow   

Donor Experience Officer
Engagement 
 

Joyce has served for a little over two years as a University Advancement Ambassador. Her creativity and compassion have left a lasting impact on the hundreds of alumni with whom she has met. Joyce is a soon-to-be Double Hoo, having graduated with her BA in Foreign Affairs in 2018 and is currently finishing up her M.Ed. in Educational Psychology. She also holds a Master of Studies in the History of Design from the University of Oxford and a Graduate Diploma in Fine Art from the Royal College of Art. 

Congratulations, Joyce!

Farewell

Sarah Mullen  

Director of Campaign Initiatives 
Engineering 

Sarah Mullen is departing UVA this summer to become the Director of Donor Relations for the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) in Charlottesville, VA. We are happy for this great opportunity for Sarah, as she will build out a new role for SELC to grow their donor and board engagement strategies. We are so appreciative of the many ways Sarah has served the UVA School of Engineering, the UVEF Board, and UVA Advancement over her nearly eight years with UVA Engineering (and seven years prior in other roles at UVA). She has been such a valuable, collaborative member of the advancement operation and important connection for many across advancement and the University. We hope to find a time to toast her many contributions to UVA in the fall! Please join us in thanking Sarah and wishing her all the best! 

Best Wishes, Sarah!

New Role

Rachel Sigler    

Associate Director of Development
University Priorities   

Rachel Sigler joined The Office of Engagement’s University Annual Giving Team in July 2022. During her tenure, she has served as the strategic partner for annual giving appeals, stewardship, and as a frontline fundraiser, meeting one-on-one with prospects, and soliciting gifts for The Virginia Fund. Through these efforts, Rachel oversaw over $3.75 million from over 5,000 unique donors -the majority of whom are repeat donors - to The Virginia Fund in the last two years. In addition to all her efforts with The Virginia Fund, Rachel was an active OOE colleague, staffing a variety of engagement events and participating on committees in OOE and University Advancement.  

Prior to joining UVA, Rachel worked for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she executed international donor trips and supported the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts. In her new role, Rachel will expand her portfolio to include Global Philanthropic Priorities – there are over 30,000 alumni with study abroad experiences - in addition to The Virginia Fund’s major gift prospects in her territory. She will also be well-versed in other UVA priorities (e.g., scholarships, historic preservation, student affairs, DEI). Rachel will serve as a resource to other Major Gift Officers within University Priorities who will solicit gifts on behalf of The Virginia Fund in their territories. Rachel continues as the strategic partner for The Virginia Fund, liaising with the President’s Office, the Office of Engagement’s University Annual Giving Direct Marketing and Virtual Philanthropy, and Event Experiences teams to deliver annual giving appeals and any donor stewardship events. Rachel will support occasional UVA Global donor-facing events and communications. 

Congratulations, Rachel!

New Staff

John Pilat  

Advancement Associate, Operations   
University Advancement 

Before joining University Advancement, I worked as an English teacher. My wife and I have lived in Charlottesville for over ten years, and we love going on walks and playing board games.  

Welcome, John!

Mike Darrah

Digital Experience and Communications Technology Lead   
University Advancement 

Mike is an experienced IT Consultant, User Experience (UX) Developer, Web Developer, Graphic Designer, and System Engineer. He has diverse management experience with running his own Web & Marketing agency, working directly in multiple higher education environments as well as high-tech (MEMS) sales management experience. Mike has worked in the music industry managing websites and digital media for clients such as Blues Traveler, and George Clinton, and was formerly a writer for Winamp.com during the digital music revolution of the early 2000's. In his spare time, Mike is an avid photographer and concert videographer, still contributing to the music industry with his website hitskeeper.com.  

Welcome, Mike!

 New Role

Josh Barnes   

Assistant Director of Development
University Priorities   

Congratulations to Josh Barnes who accepted a new role on the University Priorities regional team as Assistant Director of Development! Josh has spent the past two years cultivating his frontline skills through discovery visits as a University Advancement Ambassador. We look forward to the good work he will continue to do as a development officer through the end of the campaign and beyond! 

Congratulations, Josh!

Virginia Dolan 

Assistant Director of Development
University Priorities 

Congratulations to Virginia Dolan who accepted a new role on the University Priorities regional team as Assistant Director of Development! Virginia has spent the past year cultivating her frontline skills through discovery visits as a University Advancement Ambassador, in addition to her experience serving as a manager at a local restaurant and a tour guide at Monticello. We look forward to the good work she will continue to do as a development officer through the end of the campaign and beyond!  

Congratulations, Virginia!

Farewell

Maren Sautter   

University Advancement Ambassador 
UA - Development  

Maren Sautter joined University Advancement in July 2023, where she helped to create a pipeline of new major gift donors through proactive discovery. Maren graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2023 with a distinguished major in history and a minor in sociology. At UVA, she served on the executive team of the student organization She Writes History, which focuses on elevating the narratives of women and marginalized communities through historical scholarship and community engagement. Maren will begin her graduate studies here at UVA this fall. Joining us in wishing Maren all the best. 
 

Best Wishes, Maren!