Office of Alumnae Relations and Development

Senior Director of Class Engagement & Philanthropic Support

What brought you to Smith?
I returned to the Pioneer Valley in 2000 after being away for a few years, and I was looking for meaningful work in a college environment. The development program at Smith was a perfect fit for me.

What do you do for the college?
I manage a terrific team of 11 staff members. We work with alum classes to engage them with Smith today, and we ask them to financially support the college with donations to its strategic priorities, including The Smith Fund.

Please share something you are proud of about your work here. 
I believe strongly in Smith’s mission and I’m proud that the gifts my team and I help raise are supporting this amazing community. The generosity of generations of alums, parents, and friends has led us to wonderful places, including the college going “no loan.”

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Lyman Plant House, especially the room with the ferns. I love being able to walk through the greenhouses on my lunch break.

How has your background prepared you for your current role?
I attended UMass’s Isenberg School of Management. My business education has been hugely beneficial in my career. I would encourage more people with business degrees to consider nonprofit organizations for their careers—working at mission-driven organizations can be so meaningful.  

When you’re not working or traveling for Smith, what are you most likely to be doing?
Spending time in my yard and garden, eating at a local restaurant, or enjoying time with friends.

What’s engaging your interest these days?
I happen to be writing this in late April, so I’m looking forward to a vacation this summer. I’ve been doing lots of research. This may sound funny to some people, but for me, planning the vacation is as fun as the actual trip itself.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’m slowly working my way through a very long list. Scandinavia is up there. I recently visited Belgium, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and Quebec City. I absolutely love to travel.

Favorite Smith tradition?
Julia Child Day. Or maybe Ivy Day. Or maybe Rally Day? There are so many great ones, it’s hard to choose!