University of Michigan

Destination development: Martin in front of Ann Arbor’s beautiful Nickels Arcade

Maureen Martin
Senior Director of Foundation Relations
Office of University Development

As a former development director for arts, educational and environmental organizations around the country, Maureen Martin had done it all. “A director of development has to deal with so many aspects of the profession,” she says. “Work with new prospects, handle direct mail, deal with management issues and boards….”

When she moved into U-M foundation relations seven years ago, Martin was thrilled for the opportunity to concentrate on one particular area of her expertise. She now devotes all of her time to connecting U-M’s research and educational programs with their best opportunities for outside support. “What I love about this job is that you can be strategizing about funding important work designed to treat drug-resistant bacteria in a meeting one morning, and helping to develop programs encouraging community-college transfers that afternoon,” she says. “After seven years at Michigan, I still enjoy my work every bit as much as I did in the first year!”

Learning to lead: Daren Batke in front of the U-M School of Education, where he's pursuing his Ph.D. in higher education while working to raise support for Michigan Law.

Daren Batke
Director of Development
Law School

Daren Batke was introduced to fundraising while working in the administrative offices at the College of Wooster in Ohio, where he earned his B.A. But it was Michigan that fired his passion for development.

Batke was drawn to Ann Arbor by the U-M’s top-ranked graduate program in higher education. He credits the program with aiding his success as a director of regional development at the U-M Law School. “The diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in my graduate-student cohort really enriched the learning environment,” he says. “And the coursework gave me a greater understanding of how the University operates. Many programs are narrowly oriented toward student affairs work, but at Michigan you get an overall background in higher ed and then focus on your specific area of interest, whether it’s development or community relations or public policy.”

Batke recently began his Ph.D. through the same program, inspired by his experiences as a graduate student and gift officer at U-M. “I enjoy working here,” he says of the University’s fundraising community. “It has been crucial to my personal and professional development.”

Teaching the next generation: Kat Walsh draws on ideas from her U-M master's degree in higher education to inspire future philanthropists and development pros.

Kat Walsh
Asst. Dir., Student Philanthropy
Office of University Development

Kat Walsh took the long road to U-M development: born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. B.A. in theatre and history from Notre Dame. Stints as a private-school alumni relations director, admissions coordinator and teacher of geography, religion and history. Theatre choreographer. Dual M.A. in higher education and public policy. Intern at the U.S. Navy’s Center for Defense Management Reform.

While studying in the U-M’s graduate program in higher education Walsh got to know a group of faculty mentors and fundraisers who encouraged her interest in a pipeline for the development profession. Their conversations eventually led her to a job in U-M development, where she helped found the Development Summer Internship Program. The program, which introduces undergraduates to philanthropy as a lifelong pursuit, has won several major awards and is now being replicated on campuses nationwide.

Walsh still directs D-SIP as part of her assignment to coordinate all of the U-M’s student-philanthropy initiatives. Asked what drew her to her career, she says, “I absolutely love working in fundraising because development officers are by their very nature change agents. Whether we’re working as frontline fundraisers or in support services, our role is to connect people’s passions to the needs of the world. I can think of no more rewarding profession.”

A place to live and work: Gargaro in popular Gallup Park, along the Huron River

Paul Gargaro
Editor
Office of University Development

Paul Gargaro worked as a newspaper reporter and ad agency copywriter in New England and Seattle for ten years before returning to his home state of Michigan. As the editor of Leaders & Best, U-M’s magazine of philanthropy, he covers an ever-changing array of stories about major gifts to the University. But a new week may also see him drafting a proposal, writing an event script or putting together a web story— all in support of U-M’s development efforts.

Living in Ann Arbor with his wife and family, Gargaro treasures Ann Arbor’s blend of big-city sophistication and small-town character. “You have access to so many great attractions—food, entertainment and nightlife, shopping,” he says. “Yet you can still bump into five people you know at the Farmer’s Market or the pool or the library. This town really offers a lot no matter what stage of life you’re in.”

“I like the idea of doing something that I believe in,” he adds. “It’s inspiring. I’m proud to tell people that I work for U-M.”

The school philanthropy built: Ollie at the new Ross School of Business

Ed Ollie
Director of Development, Eastern Region
Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“When the University of Michigan first asked me to come talk to them, I said no: It was too cold!” laughs Ed Ollie.

It didn’t take Ollie, a native Iowan, too long to warm up to the idea. As a major gift officer at U-M’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business he gets tremendous satisfaction from working with Michigan donors and alumni in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. “It was the visit to campus that really did it for us,” he says, recalling his first interview. “Talk about recruiting and the quality of your team! I had a group of highly professional development officers who were my eyes and ears. And I had this incredible Michigan brand.”

But U-M doesn’t just seek talent, Ollie is quick to add. “They hire you, and then provide a menu of development options: academic opportunities, online learning, peer-to-peer mentoring, a sense of community and cooperation—not competition. It’s up to you to choose, but you’d have to be crazy not to!”

Judy Malcolm outside the Gandy Dancer restaurant. Housed in the historic Michigan Central Depot building, the "Gandy" as it's commonly known, is a popular spot to celebrate special occasions.

Judy Malcolm
Director Development Communications and Donor Relations

Judy Malcolm had originally planned to be a college professor, but a detour into communications for nonprofits changed her focus. After consulting for companies like TRW and Care Choices, she came to U-M, where she serves as director of development communications and donor relations. Judy is responsible for all communications with donors to educate them about why gifts are needed and to demonstrate the University's gratitude to them once they make a gift. A typical workday might find her working with News Service on a press release; meeting with a dean on communications needs; reviewing publication layouts; or planning a donor event. Even after 16 years at U-M, she says she still learns something new every day, and enjoys working with the "interesting, smart, and committed" people who are her colleagues.

Paul Harkins outside the Bentley Historical Library. Behind him is a bronze sculpture by Marshall Fredericks, who also created the American Eagle sculpture outside Michigan Stadium.

Paul Harkins
Director of Major Gifts Mid-Atlantic Region

Paul Harkins has been in development at U-M for just over a year, but he's a longtime Wolverine: he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in percussion performance here. As director of major gifts for the mid-Atlantic region, he's constantly on the go, meeting with donors from Philadelphia to Kansas City. A typical week might include a Monday evening flight to Washington DC, an early-morning breakfast meeting on Tuesday, and three or four donor visits each day before his return to Ann Arbor on Thursday. "The days can be long," he says, "but our supporters are amazing people, so it's never dull."