Development and Alumni Engagement
What We Do
The Development and Alumni Engagement team builds lasting relationships that inspire philanthropic support for the University’s priorities. Through thoughtful engagement, strategic fundraising, and purposeful stewardship, we connect philanthropic interests with opportunities that support students, faculty, and programs – today and for generations to come.
Carolyn Whitehead
Vice President, Development and Alumni Engagement
Academic Fundraising
Academic Fundraising – Focus on identifying and formalizing academic fundraising needs as they relate to academic programs, initiatives, faculty and the educational experience of our students. Through initial guidance of the Academic Deans, Office of the Provost and University Leadership, we identify philanthropic opportunities which are then defined and shared with the various Community, Corporate and Foundation and Relations, Donor Engagement and University Advancement teams to create cohesive fundraising plans intended to attract philanthropic support for these defined academic needs.
Academic Fundraising Team
Casey Capstick
Development Coordinator, School of Divinity
Amanda Edmondson Coles
Development Coordinator, School of Business
Ali Donovan
Director of Development, Program for Leadership and Character
Sean Howard
Senior Director of Development, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Catherine Jackson-Jordan (MDIV ’22)
Assistant Director of Development, School of Divinity
Hannah McMahan King (’06, MDIV ’09)
Assistant Dean of Development, School of Divinity
Kylie Miles
Development Coordinator, College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Development
Joel Rivera
Assistant Director of Development, Z. Smith Reynolds Library
Principal and Planned Giving Office
Principal and Planned Giving Team
Shaida Horner (JD ’99)
Associate Vice President, Gift Planning
Beth McAlhany (’89)
Senior Director of Development, College Initiatives
Individual Development and National Engagement
Advancing the Wake Forest University motto, Pro Humanitate, the Individual Giving and National Engagement team at Wake Forest University empowers alumni, families, and friends to support the institution for life. We aspire to foster a culture of philanthropy and connection in a dynamic and comprehensive environment through engagement with first-time, emerging, and established investors. We cultivate lasting philanthropic leadership by connecting our partners deeply to the Wake Forest mission. Strengthening WAKECommunities, we aim to drive Wake Forest’s vision forward and bring Pro Humanitate to life.
Individual Development and National Engagement Team
Dustie Lanier (’06)
Associate Vice President, Individual Giving and National Engagement
Web Alexander (’88)
Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Tory Bailey
Director, Wake Forest Fund, Professional Schools, and Direct Marketing
Sarah Cave (’89)
Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Isabelle Christensson
Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Abagail Foster
Administrative Specialist, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Elizabeth Marsh (’07)
Senior Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Melissa Mitchell
Assistant Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement Operations
Lee Norris (’04)
Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Abby Revelle (’18)
Associate Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Anthony Tang (’11)
Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement Strategy
Chase Walter (MSM ’23)
Philanthropy and Donor Engagement Officer
Isabelle Ruane White (’13)
Senior Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Paul Wingate (’92)
Director, Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
Corporate and Foundation Relations
Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) promotes mutually beneficial relationships between the university and corporations and foundations, focusing on philanthropy and partnership-building. CFR identifies, manages, cultivates, solicits and stewards foundation and corporate relationships that support the institution’s highest priorities. CFR manages these activities across the Reynolda Campus and liaises with Wake Forest University School of Medicine on prospects and projects of mutual interest.
Corporate and Foundation Relations Team
Linda Luvaas
Associate Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Ryan Garner
Assistant Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Stacia Pelletier
Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Laura Ziesel
Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Philanthropic Engagement
Philanthropic Engagement supports alumni engagement across the full alumni community while focusing on moments that inspire and sustain philanthropy. Through volunteer engagement, donor events, and stewardship, we work collaboratively with development partners to cultivate meaningful connections that support generosity and long-term impact.
Philanthropic Engagement Team
Emily Smith
Associate Vice President, Philanthropic Engagement
Emily Cockerham (’90)
Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement
Kelly McConnico (’00)
Assistant Vice President, Alumni and Volunteer Engagement
Vada Lou Meadows (’85)
Director, Reunion Leadership Giving
Suzanne Shay
Assistant Director, Alumni and Volunteer Engagement