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Role Changes
Danielle King
Associate Director of Donor Relations for Strategic Events
University Advancement
In recognition of her success in planning events for the University Advancement Donor Relations team and her 10+ years of events industry experience, Danielle King has been promoted to the role of Associate Director of Donor Relations. In her new role, Danielle will act as an event planner and lead strategist for Advancement events, including signature University Advancement partner events and Presidential events. Additionally, Danielle will serve as supervisor for the Associate and Advancement Coordinators supporting Donor Relations events. Danielle will also continue to serve as Advancement’s Staff Senate representative.
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Previous Staffing Matters Announcements
New Hires
Angel Gunn
Foundation Research & Strategy Coordinator, Foundation Relations
As Foundation Research & Strategy Coordinator, Angel Gunn will be researching foundations and grant prospects using search tools and databases. Angel has worked as a grant writer for the last decade at various nonprofits, including JABA, The Front Porch, MIMA Music, Cville Band, Austin Artists Project & Bower Center for the Arts. She received her MA in Arts Administration from NYU and worked in marketing and development for an arts-in-education company there.
Angel loves music and theatre - especially when watching her daughters perform.
Virginia Johnston
Project Associate, Engineering
As Project Associate for Engineering, Virginia Johnston will serve as organizational point person and provide general administrative support for the UVA Engineering advancement team. Her role will include tracking projects, ensuring the team achieves major milestones, and preparing for events. A UVA work alum, Virginia was a Legal Assistant in the Office of University Counsel under former University Counsel Roscoe Roberts. More recently, she worked as a Financial Analyst for Northrop Grumman.
Virginia lives in Crozet with her rescue lab, Copper. On weekends you can find her working in her garden or at Cardinal Point Winery.
Rob Revitte
Director of Major Gifts, Architecture
We welcome Rob Revitte, who will develop major gift relationships on behalf of the School of Architecture and the University of Virginia. Rob was most recently at Maryland Institute College of Art as the Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, and previously served in senior development roles at Johns Hopkins University and University of Denver.
Rob enjoys cheering from the stands for his son, cooking, seeing live music, enthusiastically volunteering for the Arthritis Foundation and supporting the ONE LOVE chapter at the local high school. Rob lives in Monkton, MD with his wife and teenage son.
Role Changes
Avanna Griffith
Assistant Director for Strategic Alumni Engagement
UVA Health Development
Avanna Griffith joins the UVA Health development team as Assistant Director for Strategic Alumni Engagement, where she will lead engagement activities for the School of Nursing’s alumni constituencies and manage the activities of the volunteer alumni board. Previously, Avanna served as Advancement Coordinator for the Direct Marketing team within UA’s Office of Engagement.
Farewells
Danica Rose
Danica Rose has accepted a position at Albemarle County Schools and will be returning to school to become a licensed teacher. Danica began her tenure with UVA in Annual Giving; she joined HSDO in October of 2017 as the cancer team’s Associate Director of Development for Annual Giving, and capped off her career with HSDO as a successful major gift officer for the past year, staffing the women’s cancers departments.
Danica was invaluable in leading the Cancer Team through a challenging 2021 and smoothing the transition to a completely new team in 2022. Her thoughtfulness, grit, and humor will be missed across HSDO.
Among her many accomplishments, Danica worked with Maggie Patton to establish the Cancer Donor Acquisition Program, served above and beyond the call of duty at community events in support of the Cancer Center, and helped orient and train four colleagues completely new to healthcare philanthropy. Danica also served her colleagues as a UVA Staff Senator.
We wish Danica the best as she moves into this exciting new phase of her career.
Farewells
Kate Martin
Kate Martin is departing from the Law School Foundation to join the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture as their Vice President for Advancement. In that role, Kate will lead all development efforts and oversee marketing and communications for the Institute.
Kate began her affiliation with the University of Virginia as a first-year undergraduate student in 2009. She graduated in May 2013 and joined the staff of the Department of Athletics one month later in June 2013. She served in Athletics and Central Development until she joined us in January 2019. In the past four years, Kate has contributed greatly to our mission and been a trusted colleague. She built meaningful relationships with many of our alumni, raised many new endowments, and spearheaded the grant writing and fundraising for the Roadmap Scholars Initiative.
This is a loss for us, but a wonderful growth opportunity for Kate. We know she will be a success and we wish her well.
New Hires
Chris Barnes
Director of Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
University Advancement
Chris Barnes joins University Advancement in the Director of Development role for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion division. Chris previously served as Director of Development for University Initiatives with the University Development Office at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has over six years of development experience. Prior to his fundraising career at UNC, Chris spent fourteen years in financial services in both personal and business banking, and management.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys a round of golf on the weekends, cooking with family and friends, and traveling domestically and internationally while creating family memories with his wife, Brandy, and their 17 year old daughter, Summer.
Farewells
Michelle Allen
Congratulations to Michelle Allen, who will be taking on a new role with the University of Virginia Police Department. For the past 14 years, Michelle has contributed to the Donor Relations team and greater Advancement community by producing exemplary work, offering sage advice and wisdom with empathy, and always being willing to lend a hand to help a colleague. Over the years, Michelle has supported hundreds of high-level presidential, campaign, cultivation, and stewardship events, ensuring a positive experience for donors, faculty, colleagues, and friends of the University alike. We are grateful for Michelle’s many contributions to University Advancement, as well as her friendship. Her giving spirit and many, many unique skills and attributes will surely be missed!
Karen Osborne
We are saying farewell to Karen Osborne, Assistant Director for People Operations. Karen joined University Advancement in 2021 and since then has made numerous contributions to our programs, including enhancing our Take 5 e-newsletter with new graphics and new features like Staffing Matters. She helped to elevate our Day and Week of Learning programs with the addition of a conference-style app, targeted communications campaigns, and branding. Karen is a kind and generous colleague, always helping anyone in need. We are so grateful to have had her on the team and wish her all the best!
New Hires
Rachael Dealy
Senior Writer and Communications Specialist
University Advancement
As Senior Writer and Communications Specialist, Rachael Dealy will lead strategic communications for the University’s principal gifts program. Her role will include preparing briefings, supporting proposal development, and drafting donor correspondence for senior leaders, as well as collaborating with schools and units to support thoughtful, unique stewardship for our top benefactors.
A UVA alum, Rachael has helped raise more than $100M in philanthropic support through her work at the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (Monticello), UVA’s Madison House, and Rare Book School. Most recently, she served as Senior Content Specialist with the Stelter Company, an integrated marketing agency that helps non-profits identify, qualify, and cultivate planned giving prospects.
Rachael resides in Rockville, MD, with her husband, Ashley, and their rescue animals, Dolly Sods and Handkerchief (aka Dolly and Hank).
New Hires
Tyler Graham
Assistant Director of Development
Miller Center
Tyler Graham is excited to serve the University as assistant director of development for the Miller Center, where he will help build the pipeline of major gifts. Tyler started his career in college athletics as an assistant basketball coach at Christopher Newport University after earning degrees from the University of South Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth University. During his time at CNU, Tyler transitioned to undergraduate admissions where he served for multiple years. Just over a year ago, Tyler and his wife, Kelly, relocated to Charlottesville and he has since worked in graduate admissions recruiting at McIntire.
Outside of the office, Tyler can be found exploring the Charlottesville culinary scene, playing both golf and disc golf, and spending quality time with his wife, dog, and cat.
Michael Marzella
Advancement Coordinator
University Advancement
As an advancement coordinator, Michael Marzella will provide administrative and program support for the Donor Relations team, with primary responsibility for Strategic Stewardship team initiatives. Michael most recently served as the competitions coordinator at a large youth soccer non-profit in Austin, Texas. With a background in operations and coordination, he specializes in communicating with stakeholders and executing large events.
Originally from Florida, Michael enjoys spending time outdoors, staying active and picking up new hobbies. He currently participates in a local adult indoor soccer league to meet new people and get some exercise.
New Hires
Ruth Cassell
Associate Director of Development
UVA Health Development
Ruth Cassell joins UVA Health Development to manage a portfolio of donors with a focus on major gifts to secure support for the School of Nursing. She most recently served as Director of Operations at Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke. With an extensive background in development, her career spans leadership positions for non-profits and institutions of higher learning focused on health and education. She previously served as the Chief Development Officer at Family Service of Roanoke Valley and Alumni & Development Services Coordinator at Virginia Western Community College.
Ruth and her family reside in Roanoke, VA. She is a proud mom of two boys, 15 and 7, who are active in sports and other activities. Her husband Dave serves as a police officer for the City of Salem, and enjoys taking the family on road trips across the country.
Grace Sims
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement
University Advancement
As Executive Assistant, Grace Sims is the primary administrative contact for the Vice President for Advancement, Mark Luellen, and will work closely with his team to provide executive-level support on the office’s projects and initiatives. Grace will play an important role in developing and maintaining relationships with colleagues in senior offices across Grounds.
Grace has been a member of the University community since 2020, supporting the administrative needs of Provost Magill and Provost Baucom’s offices. While in this role, and in addition to her regular assignments, Grace coordinated the search committee efforts for the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and organized search committee chairs to host 50+ person listening tours for eight different dean searches. Prior to UVA, Grace was the operations manager for the Legacy Foundation here in Charlottesville. She has a commitment to service and has held volunteer roles with Ronald McDonald House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California.
New Hires
Said Aweis
Donor Experience Officer
University Advancement
As a Donor Experience Officer, Said Aweis will build relationships with a large portfolio of undergraduate alumni donors to steward gifts and solicit consistent annual support. Said is a 2016 Gates Millennium Scholar with a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in sports management and a minor in coaching. He also received a master’s degree in higher education with an emphasis in student affairs and administration from the University of Virginia. As a first-generation student, Aweis recognizes the importance of representation and mentorship on college campuses, so he dedicates time to mentoring students with the Office of African American Affairs.
In his free time, Said enjoys traveling/road tripping, bouldering, and reading.
Katelyn Galbraith
Associate Director for Strategic Events
UVA Health Development
Katelyn Galbraith will play a lead role in conceptualizing, planning and executing a wide range of targeted, purposeful events designed to engage, cultivate, and steward key UVA Health development stakeholders. Katelyn most recently served as Assistant Director of Events & Operations in JMU's Office of Alumni Relations where she planned and executed a wide variety of events for JMU's active and diverse alumni constituencies. Katelyn earned her BA in hospitality management from JMU and is currently pursuing a master's in communications and advocacy with a focus on strategic communication.
Laura Sheets McCall
Associate Director of Annual and Reunion Giving
UVA Medical Alumni Association
Laura Sheets McCall is responsible for all aspects of annual and reunion year fundraising for the UVA Medical Alumni Association and will solicit and close gifts to meet comprehensive fundraising goals. She is a long-time nonprofit professional with significant experience in fundraising and grant writing, project management, strategic planning, and leadership.
Laura loves international travel, exploring art galleries, and seeing live theatre. She is an avid hiker and is looking forward to exploring the Shenandoah.