Advancement Staff

Vice President for Advancement Martin Smith mwsmith@iwu.edu 309-556-3248 Marty oversees the advancement effort of the University, including the work of both the Alumni and Advancement Offices.
Director of Prospect Research Jane Baines jbaines@iwu.edu 309-556-3240 Jane has worked for the University for almost 25 years. She is responsible for conducting research on sources of financial support, analyzes data and directs the Prospect Management System.
Prospect Research Coordinator Jack Baker, '98 jbaker@iwu.edu 309-556-3648 Jack's primary responsibilities include input and maintenance of the Prospect Management System.
Gift Information Specialist Kara Mehrkens kmehrken@iwu.edu 309-556-3199 Kara's primary focus is on processing, maintaining and reporting gift-related information within the Advancement Office. Virtually all financial-related activities fall into Kara's responsibilities, including pledges, gifts, matching transactions, acknowledgments and reminders.
Associate Director of Development Michele Brady mbrady@iwu.edu 480-831-3861 Michele is an Advancement Officer who works with alumni and friends both in the Midwest and the Northeast. She is responsible for some local fundraising activities, as well as those in Minnesota, New York, and Washington D.C.
Associate Director of the Wesleyan Fund for Annual Giving April Bridges, '90 abridges@iwu.edu 309-556-3636 April is an Advancement Officer who works with alumni and friends of the University to support the Wesleyan Fund. In addition to raising funds, she is responsible for increasing awareness among alumni of the importance of participation.
Associate Director of Development Celeste Flachsbart cflachsb@iwu.edu 480-831-2489 Celeste is an Advancement Officer who works primarily with alumni and friends in the Southwest. She is responsible for the University's fundraising activities in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas.
Associate Director of Development Jennifer Krause jkrause2@iwu.edu 815-929-1265 Jennifer is an Advancement Officer whose territory consists of the Chicagoland area, Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon. In addition to raising funds for both restricted and unrestricted programs, she assists in managing the Parent Board.
Data Information Specialist Mary Leach mleach@iwu.edu 309-556-3236 Mary's primary functions include processing, maintaining and reporting the demographic-related information within the Advancement Office. All non-financial information falls into Mary's purview, including items such as addresses, phone numbers, marriages, memberships and awards.
Senior Office Coordinator for Major Gifts Jean Lieder jlieder@iwu.edu 309-556-3222 Jean supports the Associate Vice President and the Associate Directors for Advancement in the daily operations of the major gifts staff.
Director of the Wesleyan Fund for Annual Giving Jeff Mavros, '98 jmavros@iwu.edu 309-556-3024 Jeff manages the Wesleyan Fund staff, creating and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan. Jeff works with alumni, friends, students and parents to increase unrestricted support for the University.
Assistant Director of the Wesleyan Fund for Annual Giving Sherry McClarty smcclart@iwu.edu 309-556-3153 Sherry orchestrates the Call Center on campus, managing about a dozen Titan Talkers. These current students call alumni, parents, and friends to ask for support for the Wesleyan Fund and Parent Fund.
Director of Data Management and Analysis Tim McKeown tmckeown@iwu.edu 309-556-3846 Tim has been with the University 14 years and oversees the data management and analysis area of the Advancement office. Tim and his staff work closely with the entire Advancement Office to both maximize the data processes and to help staff members recognize and apply the information to which they have access.
Associate Director of Development Chris Murray, '91 cmurray@iwu.edu 309-556-3305 Chris, a 1991 IWU graduate, works with alumni and friends throughout central and northern Illinois. He is also responsible for the University's fundraising activities in various areas of the Great Lakes, northeastern, and southeastern regions of the U.S.
Director of Sponsored Programs and Foundation Relations Jo Porter jporter@iwu.edu 309-556-3058 Jo coordinates and manages activities with private and corporate foundations, as well as federal and state agencies interested in supporting higher education and University initiatives. She also assists faculty in their search for funding to support research and scholarship.
Senior Administrative Assistant Adriane Powell apowell@iwu.edu 309-556-3710 Adriane assists the Vice President and Associate Vice Presidents for Advancement in daily operations of planned giving, Campaign coordination, cabinet level meeting arrangements, and executive work.
Associate Vice President for Advancement Benjamin J. Rhodes, '69 brhodes@iwu.edu 309-556-3137 Ben is a graduate of IWU and has over 25 years of experience with the University's advancement operation. His expertise is in the area of endowed gifts, capital funding projects, planned and estate giving, and leadership giving clubs.
Assistant Director of the Wesleyan Fund Carlo Robustelli crobuste@iwu.edu 309-556-3127 Carlo works with alumni, friends and parents to establish new student scholarships and increase unrestricted support for the University. He is also responsible for generating programs and initiatives that promote a culture of philanthropy among students on campus.
Associate Vice President for Advancement Steve Seibring, '81 sseibrin@iwu.edu 309-556-3135 Steve is a 1981 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan, and he has worked for the University for more than 20 years. Steve supervises the major gifts staff and is responsible for establishing initiatives to increase both restricted and unrestricted support.
Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs and Foundation Relations John-Patrick Workman jworkman@iwu.edu 309-556-3902 John-Patrick works to secure funding from private and corporate foundations and government agencies to support the University's programs.