September 28, 2018
Kansas State University Foundation's summer season of hires and promotions
The Kansas State University Foundation hired nine new team members and promoted nine personnel over the summer. Sadie Cella returned to the KSU Foundation to serve as development coordinator for the corporate and foundation relations team where she had previously served from 2015 to late 2017.
Paul Chai joins the foundation as director of investments. He earned his bachelor's in mechanical engineering from MIT and his Master of Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. Chai brings his passion in client servicing and 12 years of institutional investment management experience to work on behalf of K-State.
Kristin Cottam serves as the assistant director of development supporting the Grateful Clients program of the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a K-State graduate with a bachelor's in family life and community service.
Lee Ann Smith Desper is the investments coordinator for KSU Foundation's asset management team. She earned her master's in communication studies from K-State and has experience in investments and community leadership.
Brian Gonzales has joined the KSU Foundation as strategic solicitations manager where he will lead the student gift officer team. Gonzales most recently led client relations services for a global contact services provider.
Scott Jensen, who graduated from K-State in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and international business, is applying his experience as a universitywide development officer on behalf of K-State. He comes to the foundation from a career in sales management.
Adam Jimison joins the foundation as a universitywide development officer. He graduated with a bachelor's in marketing, operations management and management. Jimison later returned to K-State for a Master of Business Administration, and was most recently a market analyst for Bartlett Cattle Company.
Cale Padgett joined the KSU Foundation as a gift planning officer. He earned his joint Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Padgett adds research, compliance and sales experience with universities and international organizations to his work on behalf of K-State.
Meghann Winkler has joined the foundation as a universitywide development officer after three years with the Cerner Corporation, most recently as a client consultant. Winkler earned her bachelor's in business administration from K-State with a focus on marketing.
Emily Dixon has been promoted to assistant director of gift planning and Emilie Fink is the new senior director of development for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Greg Gerke has been promoted to investment accountant. Dana Hunter is now the senior director of development for the College of Human Ecology. Jeremy Larson is now KSU Foundation's first data scientist and Sherilyn McRell is now the operations manager. Emily Richards has been promoted to strategic solicitations analyst and Heather Strafuss has been promoted to senior development coordinator. Neil Waner has been promoted to facilities manager at KSU Foundation.
As Kansas State University's strategic partner for philanthropy, the KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State family. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1.4 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success. Visit www.ksufoundation.org for more information.