Development Staff

Vice President for Advancement Martin Smith mwsmith@iwu.edu 309-556-3248 Marty oversees the advancement effort for the University, including the work of both the Alumni and Development Offices.
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.
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 over 15 years. Steve supervises the major gifts staff and is responsible for establishing initiatives to increase both restricted and unrestricted support.
Director of Corporate 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.
Director of the Annual Fund Lora Wey, '88 lwey@iwu.edu 309-556-3127 Lora is the Director of the Annual Fund, a year-round effort to raise unrestricted funds in support of the University's operating budget. She also coordinates a group of local businesspeople who support IWU, called the Illinois Wesleyan Associates.
Director of Development Services Jane Baines jbaines@iwu.edu 309-556-3240 Jane manages the Development Office database and conducts research on sources of financial support.
Associate Director of Development Celeste Flachsbart cflachsb@iwu.edu 480-831-2489 Celeste is a Development Officer who works primarily with alumni in the Southwestern part of the US. She is responsible for the University's fundraising activities in AZ, CA, NM, NV, and TX.
Associate Director of Development Jennifer G. Krause jkrause2@iwu.edu 815-929-1265 Jennifer is a Development Officer whose territory consists mostly of, but is not limited to, the Chicagoland area. In addition to raising funds for both restricted and unrestricted programs, she assists in managing the Parent Board.
Associate Director of Development April Bridges, '90 abridges@iwu.edu 309-556-3636 April is a Development Officer who works with alumni and friends of the University to support the Annual Fund. In addition to raising funds, she is responsible for increasing awareness among alumni of the importance of participation.
Associate Director of Development Chris Murray, '91 cmurray@iwu.edu 309-556-3305 Chris is a Development Officer who works with alumni and friends in the Rockford and LaSalle-Peru areas of Illinois, as well as those in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio.
Assistant Director of Development Jeff Mavros, '98 jmavros@iwu.edu 309-556-3024 Jeff works primarily with young alumni for the Annual Fund. He is responsible for the Class Agent volunteer program and assists with the management of the Parent Board.
Assistant Director of Development Sherry McClarty smcclart@iwu.edu 309-556-3153 Sherry orchestrates the Call Center on campus, managing 18 Titan Talkers. These current students call alumni, parents, and friends to ask for support for the Annual Fund and Parent Fund.
Senior Administrative Assistant Lorrie Gummere lgummere@iwu.edu 309-556-3710 Lorrie lends administrative support to Marty, Ben, and Jo, including arranging meetings for both Marty and Ben. She handles insurance policy premium payments, billings, and in-force illustrations, as well as receipting for securities and gifts-in-kind. In addition, Lorrie prepares biographical profiles for scholarships.
Gift Information Specialist Mandi Baker abaker1@iwu.edu 309-556-3199 Mandi is the contact for alumni who wish to make a gift by phone, set up payment options, or to change an existing gift. She may also be contacted with any matching gift inquiries.
Data Information Specialist Mary Leach mleach@iwu.edu 309-556-3236 Mary manages the alumni database, including updates to alums' personal information such as addresses and places of employment. She also is an ad hoc report writer for the Alumni and Development Offices.
Development Office Coordinator Marleen Monts mmonts@iwu.edu 309-556-3222 Marleen is the contact person for IWU scholarships, including criteria, recipients, and benefactors. She can also be contacted for information about the Class Agent volunteer program.
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.