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Office of Gift Planning

1100 Grace Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA

We are delighted that you are interested in further information on gift planning options. Please send us a message and a member of our team will be in touch with you.

Our Team Members

Colleen Bailey-Knapke

Sr. Director of Gift Planning Operations

Colleen Bailey-Knapke

Sr. Director of Gift Planning Operations

cbailey6@nd.edu
3284 Eddy Street Commons

As Senior Director of Gift Planning Strategic Operations, Colleen manages the administration of Notre Dame's matured estate gifts, charitable remainder trusts, donor advised funds, and life insurance program. She works closely with the Gift Planning Advancement team to support donors giving through these vehicles and identify opportunities to improve the engagement of planned giving donors with the University.

Colleen earned her Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting from Notre Dame in 2013, then spent five years working as a public accountant for PwC and several small non-profit organizations in Michigan before returning to the University as an employee. Prior to joining Gift Planning in 2023, Colleen served on the Advancement Services team ensuring appropriate accounting for all charitable gifts to Notre Dame. She and her husband, Kyle (also ND ‘13) reside in South Bend with their three children.
Patrick Brennan

Gift Planning Program Director

Patrick Brennan

Gift Planning Program Director

pbrenna3@nd.edu
P: 574-631-8605
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As Director of Gift Planning for the West region of the United States, Patrick Brennan works with Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends with an interest in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. Patrick graduated from the Notre Dame Law School in 1998 and immediately joined the Office of Gift Planning.
Jessica Brice

Sr. Director of Gift Planning Advancement

Jessica Brice

Sr. Director of Gift Planning Advancement

jbrice@nd.edu
P: 574-631-0448
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As a Director of Gift Planning for the East and New York Metro regions of the United States, Jessica works with Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends interested in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. Prior to joining the Gift Planning team in 2019, Jessica worked as a CPA in public accounting, most recently as a Senior Tax Manager with LBMC, PC in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in Business degree from Indiana University in 2006, and earned her CPA certification shortly thereafter.
Maureen Daday

Assistant Program Director

Maureen Daday

Assistant Program Director

mdaday3@nd.edu
P: 574-631-1951
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As an Assistant Program Director, Maureen manages the Life Insurance Program and partners with Gift Planning Officers in support of the deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame. Prior to joining the Gift Planning team in 2019, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Saint Mary’s College in 2017. During 2018, Maureen lived and worked in County Wexford, Ireland through Notre Dame’s House of Brigid program. Shortly after returning from Ireland, she earned her Masters of Science in Management from Notre Dame in 2019.
Beth Dietz

Program Director

Elizabeth Dietz

Program Director

ewhite@nd.edu
P: 574-631-1117
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As Program Director, Beth collaborates with the Senior Director of Gift Planning Strategic Operations to document deferred and structured gifts to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts. She also works with fiduciaries and families of deceased benefactors on trust and estate administration matters to facilitate gifts to the University consistent with benefactors' philanthropic goals. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. After law school, Beth clerked for a federal district court judge in Memphis and worked as a banking associate in the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins, where she focused on representing clients in syndicated secured commercial loan transactions. Before joining the Gift Planning team in 2022, Beth was an adjunct professor of legal writing in the Notre Dame Law School. Beth and her husband, Joe (also a Notre Dame graduate), have two children.
Carolyn Hardman

Assistant Program Director

Carolyn Hardman

Assistant Program Director

chardma1@nd.edu
P: 574-631-9477
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As a Assistant Program Director, Gift Planning Strategic Operations, Carolyn provides the administrative and reporting functions for the Donor Advised Fund and realized estate gift programs as well as process improvement support to gift planning. She has been with Notre Dame Development for more than ten years and joined the Gift Planning team in 2021. Carolyn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from DePauw University and her Master’s of Public Affairs from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. Carolyn and her husband have lived in the South Bend area for over twenty years and have two adult sons.
Marty Harshman

Associate Vice President Development

Marty Harshman

Associate Vice President Development

mharshm1@nd.edu
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

Marty Harshman serves as the Associate Vice President for Development and Principal Gifts. In this role, Marty serves as a key partner to the University’s executive officers, President’s Leadership Council, and numerous other campus divisions including the Notre Dame Investment Office and Office of the Controller. Additionally, he leads Notre Dame’s Office of Gift Planning.

Marty has spent his entire career in Catholic education. Prior to returning to Development, he served with distinction as the Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice President where he was responsible for providing support to the Executive Vice President on a variety of strategic projects and initiatives and managed the day-to-day operations of the office.

Before joining the Office of the Executive Vice President, he served as a member of the University’s Development Team first as a Director of Regional Development, and then as Senior Director of Regional Development where he led a team of fundraisers focused on the University’s top priorities.

Prior to joining Notre Dame in 2013, Marty spent sixteen years as a K-12 educator. After enjoying seven years as a classroom teacher, he earned his administrators license and served as a school leader for nine years. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1997, and a master’s degree in 1999 with Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program.

Marty and his wife Katie have three boys.
Koby Keck

Development Coordinator, Regional Admin.

Koby Keck

Development Coordinator, Regional Admin.

kkeck@nd.edu
P: 574-631-0144
3270 Eddy Street Commons

As a Development Coordinator, Koby partners with Gift Planning Officers in support of the deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame. Koby graduated from Notre Dame in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Prior to joining the Office of Gift Planning in 2023, he spent the previous five years with the Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy).
Jennifer Koebel

Associate Director

Jennifer Koebel

Associate Director

jmoore13@nd.edu
P: 574-631-6368
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As Associate Director, Jen manages a team in client-partnerships with Gift Planning Officers in support of deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame. Jen joined the Office of Gift Planning in October 2012 and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Capella University. Jen and her husband, Kevin, have four children.
Mary Lake

Gift Planning Program Director

Mary Lake

Gift Planning Program Director

mlake3@nd.edu
P: 574-631-8842
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As a Director of Gift Planning, Mary works closely with Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends interested in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Philosophy from Fordham University in 1987, and her Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School in 1991. She is admitted to practice in New York and Indiana, and has handled Wills, Trusts, and Estates in Indiana for over 25 years. Prior to joining the Office of Gift Planning, Mary worked in LaPorte County as a Deputy Prosecutor in the area of Juvenile Justice, specifically juvenile mental health and policy reform. She and her husband, John, a double domer, are the proud parents of seven children and two grandchildren.
Carolyn Lax

Development Coordinator

Carolyn Lax

Development Coordinator

clax@nd.edu
P: 574-631-4175
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

Development Coordinator for the Office of Gift Planning focusing on client-partnership with Patrick Brennan in support of the University’s fundraising priorities and special projects. Carolyn received her Associate Degree in Business Administration from Ivy Tech Community College and attended Andrew’s University, Berrien Springs, MI. Carolyn has been with the Development Department for 20 years.
Jennifer Milliron

Gift Planning Program Director

Jennifer Milliron

Gift Planning Program Director

jmilliro@nd.edu
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As a Director of Gift Planning, Jenny works closely with Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends interested in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. Jenny graduated from Notre Dame in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and earned her Juris Doctor from the Willamette University College of Law in 2010. Jenny is a member of the Oregon State Bar, and has extensive experience in the estate planning industry. Prior to joining the gift planning team, Jenny also served as the president of the board of directors of a non-profit dedicated to helping children better their communities by connecting them with service opportunities. Jenny and her husband, Chris, also a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame, have three children.
Ashley Moeller

Regional Associate, Regional Admin.

Ashley Moeller

Regional Associate, Regional Admin.

amoelle2@nd.edu
3277 Eddy Street Commons

As a Regional Associate, Ashley partners with Gift Planning Officers in support of the deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame. Ashley graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. Ashley is the proud mom of her dog, Willa.
Andrew Owens

Gift Planning Program Director

Andrew Owens

Gift Planning Program Director

aowens2@nd.edu
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As a Director of Gift Planning, Andrew works closely with Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends interested in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. He previously worked on the Annual Giving team and, prior to joining Notre Dame, practiced commercial real estate law in Michigan and covered Notre Dame athletics as a journalist. Andrew graduated from Notre Dame in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and earned his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School in 2019.
TJ Pillari

Executive Director for Gift Planning

Timothy Pillari

Executive Director for Gift Planning

tpillari@nd.edu
P: 574-631-9777
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As Executive Director for Gift Planning, T.J. Pillari oversees Notre Dame's Gift Planning Advancement and Gift Planning Strategic Operations teams, maintaining responsibility at the University for all fundraising and operational infrastructure pertaining to estate gifts, charitable remainder trusts, donor advised funds, and other structured and planned gifts. Since 2019, T.J. has also led the University’s Love Thee Notre Dame initiative, which highlights the importance and value of planned gifts for the University and for Notre Dame families.

T.J. is a "Double Domer", having earned his Bachelor of Arts from Notre Dame in the Program of Liberal Studies in 2003 and his Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School in 2008. Following law school and prior to his return to Notre Dame in 2017, T.J. worked as an attorney in private practice in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Most recently, T.J. served as a shareholder, member of the Board of Directors, and Chairperson of the Probate and Estate Planning Practice Group at Wickens Herzer in Avon, Ohio, where T.J. provided estate, tax, and business succession planning counsel to high net-worth individuals and families. T.J. and his wife, Quinn, also a 2003 graduate of Notre Dame, have four children.
Chris Russell

Gift Planning Program Director

Christopher Russell

Gift Planning Program Director

crusse24@nd.edu
3253 Eddy Street Commons

As a Director of Gift Planning, Chris works with Notre Dame alumni, parents, and friends interested in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. He previously served as a mediator in both Indiana and Michigan and while attending Notre Dame, served as Assistant Rector of Duncan Hall. Chris received a bachelor's degree in marketing from Oakland University and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School.
Thomas Speranza

Development Associate

Thomas Speranza

Development Associate

tsperan3@nd.edu
3271 Eddy Street Commons

As Development Associate for the Gift Planning Strategic Operations team, Thomas is responsible for the administration of the Charitable Remainder Trust and life insurance programs. He also assists with realized estate gifts by updating donor information and providing updates regarding estate status. Thomas graduated from Purdue University Northwest, having received a degree in accounting. He is an active member in the South Bend Chamber Singers. Thomas and his partner, Haley, have a beautiful cat named Sunshine.
Laura Walker

Badin Guild Assoc Director

Laura Walker

Badin Guild Assoc Director

lsnell@nd.edu
1150 Grace Hall

As Associate Director for the Badin Guild, Laura oversees stewardship and provides engagement experiences for planned gift benefactors to the University. Prior to joining Notre Dame in 2014, Laura worked as the Director of Marketing for Saint Joseph Regional Medical System and as the Global Marketing Manager for Underwriters Laboratories Food and Water Business. Laura earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. Laura and her husband, Mike, have five children.
Anne Wieber

Associate Director of Gift Planning

Anne Wieber

Associate Director of Gift Planning

awieber1@nd.edu
P: 574-631-0555
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300
Sarah Wodrich

Gift Planning Program Director

Sarah Wodrich

Gift Planning Program Director

swodrich@nd.edu
P: 574-631-9849
1251 N. Eddy St., Ste 300

As a Director of Gift Planning, Sarah works with Notre Dame alumni, parents and friends interested in deferred and structured contributions to Notre Dame, including estate and trust gifts, gifts of real estate, and gifts of privately held business interests. Prior to joining the Gift Planning team in 2021, Sarah practiced law in Northern Indiana. While in private practice, Sarah assisted clients with trust and estate administration, estate planning, and various litigation matters. Sarah received a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminal justice from Indiana University and a law degree from the University of Kentucky. Sarah and her husband, Eric, have one son.