Education technology
10 annual giving programs experts
These ten fundraisers have led annual giving programs in their own roles at universities, colleges and schools. A reader can learn from them how annual giving strategy is set and how leadership-level annual donors are cultivated.
Professionals to explore
01—10Clay Shannon, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director of Annual Giving · Birmingham-Southern College
Former Director of Annual Giving at Birmingham-Southern College (2023), where the profile describes overseeing a data-driven annual giving strategy. Director of Annual Giving at University of Alabama at Birmingham since January 2024 and former Director Of Development Operations at Greater Birmingham Humane Society (2020–2023).
Johanna Hall-Rappolee
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Annual Giving · Berea College
Executive Director of Annual Giving at Berea College since June 2023, where the profile describes leading the College's $4.9 million annual giving strategy by integrating channels including direct mail and digital. Former Director of Annual Giving (2018–2023), Associate Director- Annual Giving (2017–2018) and Annual Giving Coordinator (2014–2017) at Berea College.
Karina Punu
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director of Annual Giving · Santa Clara University
Executive Director of Annual Giving at Santa Clara University since August 2022 and former Director of Reunion Giving there (2018–2022). The profile describes directing and overseeing the efforts of 5 Class Giving Officers and an Office Manager and planning, developing and leading the Reunion Giving team. Former Annual Giving Officer at San José State University (2011–2013).
Katrina Culhane
LinkedInExperience: Director of Annual Giving · Stony Brook University
Director of Annual Giving at Stony Brook University since August 2023, where the profile describes developing, managing and analyzing strategies to increase donor participation and revenue for Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine. Former Associate Director of Annual Giving, Stony Brook Medicine and Digital Philanthropy (2021–2023) and Assistant Director of the Annual Fund, Medicine (2017–2021) there.
Leta Jeffers
LinkedInExperience: Director of Annual and Planned Giving · Carolina Day School
Director of Annual and Planned Giving at Carolina Day School since July 2026, where the profile describes overseeing all aspects of the annual giving program, including goal setting, program development, team organization, timeline planning, mailings and volunteer recruitment. Former Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship at California State University, Bakersfield (2017–2018) and Director of The Thiel Fund at Thiel College (2013–2016).
Lindsay O'Donohue
LinkedInExperience: Assistant Vice President, Constituent Programs and Annual Giving · Kalamazoo College
Assistant Vice President, Constituent Programs and Annual Giving at Kalamazoo College since September 2026, where the profile describes serving as the senior leader for the College's annual giving, donor relations and prospect development functions and providing strategic direction to grow the annual fund and special initiatives. Former Senior Director, Constituent Programs and Annual Giving there (2021–2026).
Molly Walsh
LinkedInExperience: Director, Annual Giving and Leadership Campaigns · University of Pittsburgh
Director, Annual Giving and Leadership Campaigns at University of Pittsburgh since September 2022, where the profile describes managing and overseeing the annual giving programs for the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Former Senior Manager of Annual Campaigns at University of Pittsburgh (2013–2022) and Income Development Specialist at American Cancer Society (2010–2013).
Nichole Lindquist-Kleissler
LinkedInExperience: Director of Annual Giving · University of Puget Sound
Director of Annual Giving at University of Puget Sound since January 2023 and former Associate Director Of Annual Giving there (2021–2023). As Assistant Director Of Annual Giving (2016–2021), the profile describes oversight of the Phonathon program, an annual Senior Class Gift Campaign, student philanthropy initiatives and young alumni giving programs.
Rachel O’Reilly
LinkedInExperience: Director of Annual Giving & Volunteer Engagement, Tufts University · Tufts University
Director of Annual Giving & Volunteer Engagement, Tufts University since July 2025, where the profile says the role leads strategy and execution to grow leadership-level annual giving and deepen alumni volunteer participation across the University. Former Director of Annual Giving & Volunteer Management at Tufts University (2016–2025) and Director of Annual Giving at University of Massachusetts Lowell (2010–2013).
Stephanie Mullervy, MPA
LinkedInExperience: Director of Annual Giving · Assumption University
Director of Annual Giving at Assumption University since January 2025, where the profile describes creating and guiding the overall strategy for the University's annual giving program, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding annual leadership giving donors, and managing reunion fundraising efforts. Former Director of Annual Giving at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (2013–2025).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's setting to yours: someone who ran annual giving for a whole university suits questions about multichannel strategy and staffing, while someone focused on one school, a medical center or reunion giving suits questions about a specific donor group. Also consider the size of the program and team the person worked with, since a small school's annual fund runs very differently from a large university's.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you set annual giving goals and split effort between mail, digital, phone and personal solicitation?
- 02How do you identify and move donors toward leadership-level annual gifts?
- 03How do you use reunions, volunteers and class campaigns to raise alumni participation?
Reaching annual giving programs experts
How can I contact one of these annual giving programs experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Birmingham-Southern College, Berea College and Santa Clara University, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach annual giving programs experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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