University Relations

Vision

The vision of University Relations is to create deep and lasting relationships with our constituents while encouraging financial investments to enhance overall support for the student experience.

Mission

The mission of University Relations is to inspire our diverse group of alumni, families, and friends to engage with Sewanee by volunteering their time, talents, and financial resources in support of student education and the development of our institution. University Relations seeks to convert the engagement of all stakeholders to meaningful philanthropic commitments, leading to sustained financial support of the University.

For a searchable Sewanee staff directory, including email addresses and phone numbers, click here.

Unsure which staff member to contact, or having trouble getting in touch with the person you're trying to reach? Email universityrelations@sewanee.edu. We're glad to help!

University Relations Staff

Burns Jones, C'95, P'28, Vice President for University Relations

Burns brings more than 25 years of educational leadership experience to his role as Vice President for University Relations. During his career, he has led academic institutions through innovative and effective approaches to strategic planning, campus development, endowment growth, and student accessibility. Burns has served on the boards of numerous educational and nonprofit organizations, including the National Association of Episcopal Schools, and he has been a frequent presenter at national conferences on topics of strategic planning, board governance, and legal issues in educational institutions.

Contact Burns by phone at 931.598.1431.

Terri Griggs Williams, C'81, Associate Vice President for Advancement

As Associate Vice President for Advancement, Terri supervises a great team of people in institutional and individual donor relations, church relations, major gifts, and content strategy. She additionally oversees the 45th and 50th reunion classes and Exornati alumni.

Contact Terri by phone at 931.598.1128.

Walker Adams, T'18, Acting Associate Dean of Admission & Advancement for the School of Theology

As Acting Associate Dean for Admission & Advancement for the School of Theology, Walker is responsible for ensuring the seminary, and its various programs, has both the right students and the necessary financial support. 

Contact Walker by phone at 931.598.3438.

Mary Catherine Alexander, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for University Relations

As Executive Assistant to the Vice President for University Relations, Mary Catherine provides high-level administrative and project management support to Vice President for University Relations Burns Jones, while facilitating communication among the entire University Relations team.

Contact Mary Catherine by phone at 931.598.1231.

Renee Blair, Prospect Strategy & Advancement Data Analyst

As Prospect Strategy & Advancement Data Analyst, Renee maintains the Advancement Office moves management system of donors and prospects.

Contact Renee by phone at 931.598.1561.

Stephanie Borne, Assistant Director of Alumni, Development, & Church Relations for the School of Theology

As Assistant Director of Alumni, Development, and Church Relations, Stephanie facilitates the School of Theology's alumni and annual giving programs while also supporting the Associate Dean's work with Episcopal parishes both within and outside of the 27 constituent dioceses, projects, and current fundraising initiatives.

Contact Stephanie by phone at 931.598.1316.

JESSE BORNEMANN, Advancement & Communications Content Strategist

As Advancement & Communications Content Strategist, Jesse serves as the creative lead for University Relations outreach. Her work includes producing the quarterly Philanthropy & Engagement newsletter, collaborating with gift officers to develop case statements and donor materials, maintaining University Relations webpages, and assisting the Sewanee Fund with annual gift solicitations.
Contact Jesse by phone at 931.598.1821.

ALLISON CARDWELL, DIRECTOR OF GIFT & ESTATE PLANNING

As the Director of Gift & Estate Planning, Allison works with donors who are interested in leveraging their assets to support Sewanee. She facilitates estate planning, IRA rollover gifts, charitable annuities, and other pathways for individual philanthropy.

Contact Allison by phone at 931.598.1751.

Lizzie Chamberlin, C'23, Assistant Director of the Sewanee Fund

As Assistant Director of the Sewanee Fund, Lizzie collaborates with the Assistant Directors and the Executive Director of the Sewanee Fund to increase annual giving. She works with volunteers and reunion classes from 2010-2024 to encourage support. Additionally, Lizzie co-directs the Senior Leadership Board, which fosters an understanding of the importance of philanthropy among Sewanee students.

Contact Lizzie by phone at 931.598.1727.

Claire DeBow Cotten, C'10, Major Gift Officer

As a Major Gift Officer, Claire works with alumni, parents, and friends of Sewanee in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Memphis, Dallas/Fort Worth, and parts of Louisiana to align their philanthropic interests with the University's priorities.

Contact Claire by phone at 205.410.1247.

WHITNEY FRANKLIN, Executive Director of the Sewanee Fund & Advancement Services

As Executive Director of the Sewanee Fund & Advancement Services, Whitney takes the lead in conceptualizing, planning, and executing all annual giving operations, including the University's Tiger Tuesday campaign and other development outreach. Additionally, she oversees the maintenance and optimization of Sewanee's main database, which contains 180,000 constituents.

Contact Whitney by phone at 931.598.1981.

GWEN GENTRY, DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

As Director of Advancement Services, Gwen directs efforts to ensure that gifts are processed promptly and accurately and that Sewanee's information systems are up to date.

Contact Gwen by phone at 931.598.1641.

BRITNEY GREEN, Assistant Director of ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

As Assistant Director of Advancement Services, Britney helps Sewanee better understand constituents' needs and goals and translates them into effective systems and reports.

Contact Britney by phone at 931.598.1406.

MAE ANNE HALE, Assistant Director of Philanthropy

As Assistant Director of Philanthropy, Mae Anne assists with donor research, communication, and stewardship for the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations and the Director of Gift Planning.

Contact Mae Anne by phone at 931.598.1179.

ELIZABETH HAYES, Senior Advancement Services Coordinator

As Senior Advancement Services Coordinator, Elizabeth focuses on processing all gifts made to the University. Her work includes answering gift and pledge questions and assisting with credit card payments and receipts.

Contact Elizabeth by phone at 931.598.1404.

CHRISTY HODGES, Senior Advancement Services Coordinator

As Senior Advancement Services Coordinator, Christy works to maintain current biographical records for Sewanee's constituents. Her responsibilities include updating contact information for the University's alumni and friends and documenting donors' giving histories.

Contact Christy by phone at 931.598.1129.

SARAH MINGE KING, C'08, MAJOR GIFT OFFICER

As a Major Gift Officer, Sarah works with alumni, parents, and friends of Sewanee in Georgia, Jacksonville (FL), and parts of South Carolina to align their philanthropic interests with the University’s priorities. 

Contact Sarah by phone at 504.352.4326.

KIM MARSON, C'04, PROSPECT RESEARCH Analyst

As Prospect Research Analyst, Kim supports gift officers with comprehensive research as they initiate and cultivate relationships with Sewanee's donor community.

Contact Kim by phone at 931.598.1810.

Kim Conkell Naskedov, C'12, Stewardship & Donor Relations Coordinator

As Stewardship & Donor Relations Coordinator, Kim focuses on broadening and deepening Sewanee's relationship with our donor community. Her work includes overseeing gift acknowledgements, endowment reporting, and coordinating other stewardship efforts.
Contact Kim by phone at 931.598.1733.

Jesse-Katharine Owens McKee, Assistant Director of The Sewanee Fund

As Assistant Director of the Sewanee Fund, Jesse-Katharine collaborates with the Executive Director of the Sewanee Fund to increase annual giving. She also works with volunteers and reunion classes from 1974-1999 to encourage support.

Contact Jesse-Katharine by phone at 931.598.1135.

LANA MATTHEWS SAIN, BUSINESS ANALYST FOR ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

As the Business Analyst for Advancement Services, Lana works with the University's Strategic Digital Infrastructure team to provide Advancement with data and information services. Through her role, she facilitates University Relations' workflow and enhances decision-making.

Contact Lana by phone at 931.598.1218.

Bailey Schmidt, Gift & Bio Processing Coordinator

As Gift & Bio Processing Coordinator, Bailey helps with processing gifts made to the University and maintaining current biographical records for Sewanee's constituents. Her responsibilities include assisting with recording gifts received and updating contact information for the University's alumni.

Contact Bailey by phone at 931.598.1822.

Molly Smalley, P'20, P'26, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations & Donor Engagement

As Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and Donor Engagement, Molly works with faculty and staff on corporate and foundation grants. She cultivates and strengthens partnerships with corporations and foundations to secure funding that supports the University's academic, research, and institutional priorities. 

Contact Molly by phone at 931.598.1543.

SANDY SMART, Senior MAIL CENTER COORDINATOR

As Senior Mail Center Coordinator, Sandy oversees all outgoing campus mail, which includes list management, addressing, stuffing, and assisting Advancement Services with special projects.

Contact Sandy by phone at 931.598.1400.

KASEY TAYLOR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

As Assistant Director of Alumni & Family Engagement, Kasey helps plan and coordinate events, maintains correspondence with alumni, parents, friends, and students; and manages projects promoting the Sewanee Parents' Council, the Alumni Association, and the University. 

Contact Kasey by phone at 931.598.1633.

Bess Turner, P'25, P'28, P'30, Director of Family & Donor Engagement

As Director of Family & Donor Engagement, Bess leads efforts to strengthen connections between Sewanee and its parent, family, and donor communities. She oversees parent and family communications, Family Weekend, and events tied to Commencement and Parent Orientation, while also guiding the work of the Sewanee Parents’ Council. Bess regularly travels to Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and New Orleans/Baton Rouge to meet with alumni, parents, and other supporters and help them deepen their engagement with Sewanee.

Contact Bess by phone at 931.598.1460.

JOHN WHALING, C'07, DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS

As  Director of Major Gifts, John leads Sewanee’s major gift fundraising strategy, research, data analysis, and portfolio management. In addition, he works closely with alumni, parents, and friends to match their philanthropic interests with the University's priorities, and he oversees fundraising for the athletic department and the Domain optimization project.

Contact John by phone at 931.598.1563.

Jeff Zivan, C'93, Director of Alumni Engagement

As Director of Alumni Engagement, Jeff leads the Sewanee Alumni Association, overseeing Homecoming Weekend, Sewanee Club events, and all other alumni-focused gatherings on and off the Mountain. In his role, Jeff works with a wide range of campus organizations to deepen alumni engagement in recruiting/networking, admissions, and fundraising.

Contact Jeff by phone at 931.598.1710.