Universitywide development and communications staff

Cara Clark, a Raleigh, North Carolina, native, holds a B.F.A. in dance and choreography from VCU and has worked as donor relations coordinator at the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh. She also holds an M.F.A. in film and video production from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked as a multimedia specialist at Georgetown University Library's Gelardin New Media Center and as editor and videographer for the American Dance Festival’s video blog.

Before joining VCU, Nick Georges served as the assistant director of athletic development at the College of William & Mary. Georges received a bachelor's in biology from Roanoke College, where he played soccer, and a Master of Sports Leadership from VCU.  

T. Greg Prince, Ed.D., CFRE, joined VCU’s College of Health Professions in September 2016. Prince has 25 years of professional experience in university development and advancement. Before coming to VCU, Prince led the advancement effort at Salisbury University, a small public regional institution on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. During his career, Prince has had a track record of initiating new development programs and donor/stewardship initiatives as well as forming volunteer groups.

His work before Salisbury focused on academic medicine development at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and at East Carolina University's Medical & Health Sciences Foundation. In December 2015, Prince graduated with his Ed.D. in educational leadership from East Carolina University, and in March 2021, he earned his CFRE designation.

Beth Ayers joined the Department of Health Administration in 2010. She previously served for five years in a similar capacity in the dean’s office of the College of Health Professions. In her current position, she works with the 2,200-plus alumni of the department’s three programs, directs all alumni functions, manages alumni communication and marketing and is involved with donor gifts, stewardship, development and fundraising efforts. Ayers manages all reunions and works closely with the Alumni Advisory Council. Ayers holds a B.S. in business from Belmont University in Nashville and an M.S. from VCU’s School of Education.

Mary Riddick joined the College of Humanities and Sciences in August 2021. She previously served as director of development for the VCU School of Social Work team and worked for three years on VCU’s annual giving team. Riddick connects with humanities and sciences alumni, emeriti faculty, community partners and friends to the college to engage them with future initiatives. Riddick earned a B.A. from Virginia Tech and an M.P.A. from Old Dominion University.

Alexis Finc is the director of communications for the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences. She is responsible for all internal and external communications, strategic messaging, and creative positioning for the college. Prior to joining VCU, Alexis spent the last six years overseeing communications at two different independent schools, Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in Los Angeles, where she worked on numerous digital and print materials, marketing efforts, web and social media presence, fundraising collateral and overall communications strategy.

Before entering the world of educational communications, Alexis worked as an editor and writer in New York and Los Angeles for such companies as NBC Universal, Seventeen Magazine and Total Beauty Media. Alexis earned her B.A. in women and gender studies and English from Rutgers University and an M.F.A. in creative writing - poetry from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She currently lives in the Museum District with her husband and young son.

Margaret Ann Bollmeier provides strategic leadership aimed at strengthening MCV Foundation’s philanthropic efforts and relationships in the community and at Virginia Commonwealth University. A seasoned advancement professional with more than 25 years of experience, including 14 years as a foundation chief executive, Bollmeier has held leadership positions at Cornell University, the University of Virginia, University of Washington, Humanities Washington, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Providence Medical Center Foundation. She received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law.

Brian Thomas joined VCU in 2005 as vice president for the School of Engineering Foundation before joining the MCV Foundation staff in 2009 as senior executive director of development. He was promoted to vice president and chief development officer of the MCV Foundation in December 2015. Thomas has more than 30 years of fundraising experience and has served in leadership positions in national organizations, including CASE and the ABA Section for Institutional Advancement. Thomas has worked for Hampden-Sydney College, the University of Richmond, Stetson University College of Law and Vanderbilt University. He earned his M.B.A. from the University of Richmond and his B.A. in economics from Hampden-Sydney College. At the MCV Foundation, Thomas works with donors to secure principal, major and planned gifts for the benefit of the MCV Campus, including five health sciences schools, Massey Cancer Center, VCU Health and other centers and programs.

Eric Peters first came to VCU to work on the MCV Campus in 2011 as a public relations specialist in University Relations. For nearly five years he managed media relations and news content for the health sciences schools and spent time as public relations manager for the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research. He returned to the MCV Campus in 2017 after working in the federal government for nearly two years. Peters holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from VCU, a master’s degree in corporate and professional communication from Radford University, a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from VCU and accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America.

David joined the MCV Foundation in 2018 as chief financial officer. He worked in several operational and financial management positions in the hospitality and property management industries before moving to the higher education and nonprofit sectors in 1997. Since that time, he has worked at several institutions including Johns Hopkins University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the Catholic University of America, an international microfinance education organization and the University of Maryland College Park, where he served as executive director of financial management for the Division of University Relations and assistant treasurer for the University of Maryland College Park Foundation.

He holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. He is also a CPA. As a key member of the MCV Foundation’s leadership team, David has overall responsibility for accounting, financial management, budgeting, audit, tax, investment and general operations. 

David has a private pilot’s license and usually flies a single engine Cessna aircraft. One of his favorite flying ventures originated in Nags Head, North Carolina, and finally touched down in Ocracoke, North Carolina, after several stops along the Outer Banks.

Erin Acors joined the MCV Foundation in November 2021 as staff accountant for accounts payable. Prior to this role, she was an accountant at RBI Services in Ashland, Va. She is currently completing her master’s program online in accountancy from Liberty University.

In the community, Erin played collegiate softball as the University of Central Arkansas and has volunteered for several goodwill programs such as the Project Christmas Child. She also volunteers at local sports organizations and is a Two Twelve networking member.

Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Arkansas and is currently pursuing her CPA license. She lives in Montpelier, Va., with her family and three French bulldogs. In her spare time, she likes to coach youth league softball and spend time with her parents, sister, and fiancé.

Christopher Ayers joined the MCV Foundation in May 2022 as financial systems accountant. Prior to this role, he was director of academic affairs for ECPI University, where he also taught business and accounting courses as part of the faculty. Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from ECPI College of Technology and an M.B.A. from Strayer University.

As a certified public accountant, Chris also has experience as an independent information technology consultant. His early career included managing business operations for a local community pharmacy, where he was director of sales and marketing and a store manager.

In his spare time, Chris is a member of the James River Rotary and in his spare time enjoys woodworking and traveling to the beach. He lives in North Chesterfield with his amazing and talented wife and two dogs.

Tracey joined the MCV Foundation in December of 2018 as the administrative assistant and receptionist. Her responsibilities include providing administrative support to the vice president and chief development officer and the director of planned giving. She also supports all functions of the development, communications and finance teams.

Before joining the MCV Foundation, Tracey spent 14 years in the staffing industry where she was responsible for recruiting, account management and sales. She is a graduate of North Country Community College and has associate degrees in business management and math & science.

In her free time, Tracey loves gardening, crafting, following Buffalo sports teams and, above all, spending time with her granddaughter.

Paul Brockwell began as marketing communications manager in July 2019 at the MCV Foundation. Previously, he was a senior communications strategy specialist with the State Corporation Commission and worked nearly six years in higher education communications at the University of Richmond, where his writing earned CASE and PRSA regional recognition. Brockwell earned a master’s in public communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, and a B.A. in religious studies from William & Mary. In the community, he serves on the Library of Virginia board, the W&M Leadership Advisory Council, Omicron Delta Kappa’s National Advisory Council and in various roles at Grace Baptist Church. He loves obsessing about good television/pop culture, trying to read as many books as he can and hiking the James River trails in his spare time. In the past, he has written about Richmond’s food and drink scene for Style Weekly.

Penelope joined the foundation in August 2021 as a design services manager in the Communications Department. Prior to this role, she was the public relations coordinator and later the creative services manager for the American Civil War Museum, where she lead design for the magazine of an award-winning museum dedicated to telling an inclusive history of the Civil War.

An accomplished reporter and storyteller, Penelope won several awards during her time at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where she began as a reporter and became editor of an award-winning weekly teen section written by local youth. Later, she also worked as a general assignment features writer and multimedia reporter. In 2008, she received a prestigious fellowship to train at a multimedia reporting and convergence workshop at the University of California Berkeley’s Knight Digital Media Center. In addition to her many skills, she is a talented photographer and runs her own freelance practice. Her photographic work is part of the permanent collections at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children and Family Lifeline.

Penelope earned her B.A. in print journalism from Temple University in Philadelphia. She lives in Short Pump with her two children.

Samantha joined the foundation in July 2022 and brings several years of fundraising and philanthropic experience. In her previous role as Director of Resource Development with United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg (UWGRP), Samantha led revenue and relationship development for a portfolio of corporate partners. She also worked on building long-term strategic relationships with donors and volunteers. Initially joining UWGRP as a temporary campaign assistant in 2011, Samantha went on to spend nearly a decade with the organization that sparked her passion for fundraising.

Having worked closely with several high-impact companies in the Greater Richmond area, Samantha takes great pride in her steadfast work ethic. In the community, Samantha is an executive board member of the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives, and a VCU Neighborhood Liaison with the Newtowne West Civic Association.

Samantha earned her B.A. from the School of Media Arts and Design at James Madison University, and her M.A. from the Women’s Studies Graduate Program at Florida Atlantic University. She lives in Richmond with her husband, John, their twin daughters, Rosalee and Martigan, and their cat, Yoshi. In her free time, Samantha enjoys live music, vegetarian cooking and cuisines, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends – preferably on a beach.

Paula joined the MCV Foundation as a gifts administrator in 2011. She analyzes and processes daily gift deposits, reconciles monthly giving and fees, and provides multiple gift, accounting and audit reports. Her previous accounting experience includes AP, AR, billing, bookkeeping and reconciliation, most recently at Performance Food Group and Christian & Barton.

She graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a bachelor’s degree in statistics and also holds an Accounting Career Studies Certificate.

Cara joined the foundation in June 2022 bringing 10 years of fundraising experience from Randolph-Macon College. In her prior role as director of donor relations and major gift officer, Cara focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding significant donors. She also served as the staff liaison to Randolph-Macon’s Parents Board and was responsible for the stewardship program of endowed funds.

Cara is a member of several organizations including the Virginia Gift Planning Council and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She also holds a Certificate of Planned Giving from the University of Richmond’s Institute of Philanthropy.

Cara earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Randolph-Macon College. Cara lives in Maidens with her husband, Trey, and their son, Ezra.

Gina joined the MCV Foundation in February of 2019 as the assistant controller. Prior to joining the foundation, Gina served as accounting manager at St. Joseph’s Villa, the longest continuously operating children’s nonprofit in the United States. Gina's past work experience also includes development, event planning and donor management at the state and national level.  

A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Gina received both a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy degree from the VCU School of Business.  

Outside of the office, Gina enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering as the treasurer for the Henrico Police Foundation. She is a member of SEAL Team Physical Training and an avid runner. 

Holly joined the foundation in June 2022 as the communications manager with a focus on writing and editing for the foundation’s magazines and website. Prior to this role, she served as a staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She is an accomplished storyteller who strives to unearth and showcase the rich nature of human elements in her work.
 
As a veteran daily newspaper journalist, Holly has covered many topics, including local news, government affairs, general features, and food and beverages. She has even written about wayward bears, child activists and clandestine motorcycle shops. Holly also has experience working with designers on eye-catching visuals and has contributed photos to Discover Richmond Magazine.
 
Holly earned her bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and lives in Ashland with her husband, daughter, and two mostly lovable dogs, Valentino Rossi The Dog and Phoebe. Outside the office, she can be found baking something sweet in the kitchen – if she’s not on the sidelines at a soccer game.

Crystal Puryear joined the MCV Foundation in November 2017 as the executive assistant to the president. In addition to providing high-level support to the president, she is the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies and serves as the liaison between foundation staff and the MCV Foundation Board of Trustees. She also plans and facilitates all quarterly board and committee meetings. 

She joined the foundation with more than 10 years of experience supporting C-level executives and senior leadership in the financial services industry and nonprofit sector. Additionally, she played an integral role in the rapid growth of an outreach organization where she amassed a wealth of knowledge in community relations, event planning, volunteer management and marketing. 

Outside of work, Crystal enjoys traveling, hiking and seeing live music with her family.

Zaynah joined the foundation in November 2021 as a digital engagement manager focusing on social media and digital content strategy. She also contributes writing to the foundation’s magazines and website. Prior to this role, Zaynah led creative development of training and communications for the environmental, health and safety team at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Boston, where she lived for a decade. 

In the community, she serves as a program manager and committee member for the Highlights Foundation Muslim Storytellers Fellowship and co-organized and led marketing for Books for Palestine, a fundraising initiative within the literary community for emergency relief efforts. Her past work includes writing for both higher education institutions and design and branding companies. Zaynah brings experience from publishing and as a freelance writer and publicist.

Zaynah earned her M.F.A. in creative fiction writing at Emerson College. She also graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in English and minors in biology and chemistry. She lives in Richmond and is enjoying the opportunity to get reacquainted with her hometown. In her spare time, she is working on a debut manuscript for a young adult fantasy novel and loves kickboxing, reading and traveling.

Tyler joined the foundation in July 2021 as a digital content manager focusing on videography and photography. Prior to this role, he was a producer and editor with Fourth Line Films, a Richmond-based firm specializing in documentary filmmaking. In his work, he has helped mission-driven organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the American Association for the Advancement of Science to tell important stories. Most recently, he produced and edited a feature documentary that was distributed through the Public Broadcasting System as part of the Reel South film series. 

An accomplished visual storyteller, Tyler has taught as an adjunct instructor in filmmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University. In the community, he volunteers as sound mixer and archivist for Secretly Y’all, a nonprofit storytelling event group. He also co-founded RVA Documentary as a social and professional forum for documentary storytellers and the Doc’s Addition Screening Series.

Tyler earned his M.F.A. in documentary film and video from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in American studies from William & Mary. He lives in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood with his wife, Caron, three small and very energetic kids, and a golden doodle named Toby.

Cat Vincent began as gifts administration manager on the foundation’s finance team in May 2021.

Prior to joining MCV Foundation Cat worked in the Gifts and Records Management department in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was the Team Lead Transaction Analyst for five years. Prior to her time at VCU, she served with the University of Richmond Advancement Office for 19 years in gifts and records management.

Cat brings more than 23 years of experience in advancement services. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys being in the outdoors, traveling, shopping and trying new restaurants.

Lewis Witcher joined the foundation in November 2021 as a staff accountant with a focus on gifts and accounts receivable.

Prior to this role, he was an accounting research analyst with Apex Systems, a world class technology services business. Lewis has more than seven years of accounting experience including account research, financial analysis, and accounts receivable.

Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., and was a member of the men’s basketball team. Lewis lives in Richmond with his wife and daughter. In his spare time, he likes to watch basketball and football and participates in a kickball league.

Julie joined the MCV Foundation in 2018 as the controller.  Prior to joining the foundation, she served as accounting manager at DuPont Teijin Films. She brings with her valuable nonprofit experience, having served four years as the associate controller for the International Mission Board, a global nonprofit. 

Julie has handled all aspects of financial management operations during her nearly 25-year career, which has included significant experience in small business accounting throughout the Greater Richmond area.  Julie is a CPA and attended Virginia Commonwealth University and Strayer University, earning a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. in finance.

As a Richmond native, Julie has a passion for serving urban communities. Her drive for community service began during her first downtown experience in Open High School.  She currently serves as CFO for Beacon Hill Church in the City of Hopewell and leads the church’s Celebrate Recovery program in the Beacon Theatre.

Amber Yancey joined the foundation’s Development Team as assistant director of donor relations in August 2021.

Prior to this role, she was a development and scholarship specialist at the VCU School of Nursing, where she helped manage the scholarship process, alumni relations and events for the development team. Amber brings a wealth of experience to her role. She previously served as corporate partnerships and events manager with the Richmond Ballet and was a development and special events coordinator for Saint Gertrude High School.

Amber earned a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She also completed a certificate in non-profit marketing from the University of Richmond’s Institute of Philanthropy. She lives in the Northside with her husband, Keith, and their dog, Guapo.

Kelly Kerr joined the VCUarts development team in August 2012, where she serves as director of events and sponsorships. She previously worked for VCU's Office of the President as manager of the Scott House. She earned her M.F.A. in ceramics from James Madison University.

Linda Johnston is proud to have been a part of the VCU Department of Music since 1988. She is an alumna of VCU music with a bachelor's in music education. She also serves as music director/organist at Pine Street Baptist Church, where she has served since 1972. Johnston serves the Department of Music as the fiscal administrator as well as human resources liaison. One of her many responsibilities in the department is to maintain relationships with VCU music alumni and donors. 

Anne Cabot Galeski joined the VCU team in 2019 as a leadership annual giving officer. Before joining VCU, Galeski spent over four years at Randolph-Macon College as assistant director for annual leadership giving and major gift officer. Before her development career, Galeski worked in private wealth management at Scott & Stringfellow in Richmond and Merrill Lynch in Washington, D.C. In 2009, Galeski received a bachelor’s in sociology from the University of Virginia, where she was also a member of the field hockey team. She also holds a Certificate of Planned Giving from the University of Richmond and completed the Southeastern Trust School certificate program through Campbell University's Lundy-Fetterman School of Business in 2019.

Cristina Cruz serves as the assistant director of development communications and special events at the VCU School of Dentistry. She manages the school's donor relations efforts, including alumni engagement and stewardship events, and coordinates alumni and donor communications. She has worked in development at the School of Dentistry since 2010 and has a background in public relations and event management. Cruz is a 2006 graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in public relations and Spanish.

From 2012 to 2015, Ed Kardos served as director of development for major gifts at the VCU School of Dentistry, where he secured more than $3.5 million in total donations dedicated to scholarship and professorship endowments. Before joining the School of Dentistry, Kardos served as executive director of development for the VCU School of Nursing, director of development for Benedictine High School and the first full-time annual giving director at James Madison University. He is a Nina Abady Award recipient (2004), the highest award given by the Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives for lifetime career excellence.

Caitlin Hanbury was named the assistant director of community affairs for the College of Humanities and Sciences in July 2018. She earned a B.A. in art history and English language and literature from the University of Virginia in 2005 and an M.A. in art history with a concentration in museum studies from VCU in 2012. She handles reputation management and stakeholder strategic messaging with a focus on alumni, donors, prospects and the larger community for the College of Humanities and Sciences. She previously served as the stewardship manager for the college and, before VCU, served as a development associate for the Maymont Foundation and as a programs and exhibitions manager for the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. 

Katharine Stein is a 2015 VCUarts alumna from the Department of Sculpture. She previously served as a development coordinator at VCUarts before a stint in the development office at the Science Museum of Richmond. 

Louie Correa joined the VCU development team in March 2015. He has 14 years of experience in development and nonprofit management. Before joining VCU, he served as chief executive officer of Project 375 (formerly The Brandon Marshall Foundation) based in Chicago. He also served as an associate consultant for Campbell & Co., a fundraising consulting firm based in Chicago, where he worked with many arts and higher education clients throughout the U.S. Before his time in Chicago, Correa spent nearly a decade in Indianapolis in development roles with The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and The TKE Foundation. He has authored articles in Advancing Philanthropy and chapters in Giving USA. He has a master's degree from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University (2010) and bachelor's degrees in rhetoric and English from the University of Illinois (2002).

Jess Sorensen previously served as development coordinator for VCUarts. After receiving her B.S. in sociology from James Madison University in 2010, she interned for the summer with the VCU donor relations team. She then became the administrative assistant to the dean of external affairs at the VCU School of Business from August 2010 to January 2013. She is a native of Richmond, Virginia.

Geoff LoCicero joined the VCU School of Social Work in July 2019. Previously, he was coordinator of digital marketing and communications for the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi, after serving as the university’s director of web services from 2009-17. He was the first director of web communications at the University of South Carolina from 2005-09.

Before that, LoCicero was a trainer and researcher at the Ifra Newsplex at the University of South Carolina, a public-private partnership that focused on the development of cross-media strategies and training for journalists in the U.S. and abroad.

He also worked as a copy editor and page designer at The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina and as a sports copy editor and designer at the Birmingham Post-Herald.

Antonia F.D. Vassar graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005 with a B.A. in music. She became interested in fundraising and philanthropy after working in the VCU Libraries Development Office as a student. She enjoys seeing VCU Libraries donors engaged and active in the larger VCU and Richmond communities.