University Advancement staff grows in capacity, expertise
posted Jan. 18, 2011
University Advancement has hired three new staff members, increasing its capacity to serve the University, alumni, and numerous friends and donors in Milwaukee, southeast Wisconsin and beyond.
Judy Haugsland was named associate vice president and began on Nov. 1, while Joel Cencius, ’06, director of alumni relations and annual giving, and Kelly Bradway, director of University events, began on Jan. 3. All three individuals filled roles that have been redesigned within the last year to better meet the University’s needs.
Cencius and Bradway report to Haugsland, along with Kurtis Weir, research and database coordination manager. Chris Lange, director of major gifts and planned giving, reports to Mike Brauer, vice president for University Advancement, along with Mary Rinehart, executive assistant, and Katie Cox, who coordinates special projects and grants for Advancement. A new corporate and foundation relations officer will also report to Brauer when that individual is hired in the next few months.
“I am both professionally and personally energized by the hiring of Judy, Kelly, and Joel,” said Brauer. “Each brings talent, energy, and passion to their positions that will inspire those of us who work with them. It is a privilege to have them as team members as we work to strengthen the capacity of our relationship-building and fund raising with alumni and friends.”
Judy Haugsland
Associate Vice President for University Advancement
In her role as associate vice president, Haugsland is charged with fundraising; coordinating advancement, community and fundraising efforts with other areas and centers within the University; and bringing new relationships to Stritch.
Prior to coming to Stritch, she had served as president/CEO of the Arthritis Foundation’s Wisconsin chapter since 1993. Responsible for five senior-level directors, the organizations’ board and advisory council, and a $3.5 million budget, she led the agency through a turnaround that included significant milestones in fundraising, community engagement, leadership and planning.
At the Arthritis Foundation, she was charged with fundraising events and campaigns, donor cultivation, program partnership development, new business development, corporate sponsorships, grant writing and administration, community relationships, event planning, project development and management, financial management, budget control, volunteer recruitment and management, and staff hiring and management.
Haugsland’s professional affiliations include membership in the Harvard Business School Scholarship Selection Committee, the Reading Is Fundamental Team of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, the membership committee of TEMPO-Milwaukee and the program committee of Professional Dimensions, both professional women’s organizations.
In 2001, she was selected from 75 not-for-profit leaders to receive a Harvard Business School Scholarship. She was also the only chapter president in the Arthritis Foundation’s history to be nominated by staff, executive and national colleagues and selected by two separate award committees to be recognized as the Chapter President of the Year and the recipient of the Foundation’s highest staff honor, the Clifford M. Clark Award for Superb Leadership and Professional Achievement in the same year.
“Judy is an exceptional professional whose reputation for leadership and fund raising is solid,” said Brauer. “She knows this community, she knows how to raise money, and she understands the relationship nature of advancement. Judy will help strengthen our team and our sense of accountability to the University, as well as help strengthen our capacity to be excellent stewards of the gifts we receive.”
Haugsland can be reached at ext. 4202 or jmhaugsland@stritch.edu.
Joel Cencius
Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
As director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Cencius collaborates with the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors to manage all alumni engagement initiatives. In addition, he will oversee the University’s annual giving plan, including planning and implementation of annual fund solicitations and alumni phonathons.
Cencius received his bachelor’s degree from Stritch in 2006, majoring in communication arts. He was very active outside of the classroom with the Student Government Association, Commuter Student Association, Student Affairs Committee, and as editor for Wolfprint, the University’s student news publication.
Prior to joining Stritch, Cencius was director of visitor services for the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in Milwaukee, overseeing all day-to-day operations including management of the visitor services staff, all aspects of the Museum’s retail operations (gift shop, concessions, and birthday party rentals), as well as facility cleaning and maintenance.
Cencius serves on a national council for the Arthritis Foundation as the Upper Midwest Regional Representative for the Juvenile Arthritis Alliance Leadership Board. In additional to the council appointment, Cencius is an active volunteer with the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and is co-director for the Foundation’s camp for children with arthritis. He is also a wish granter volunteer for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin.
“I am thrilled to be back at Stritch,” said Cencius. “I’m excited to work with the Alumni Association in building a successful alumni engagement program, and I look forward to meeting fellow Stritch alumni and helping them reconnect with the University.”
Cencius can be reached at ext. 4203 or jfcencius@stritch.edu.
Kelly Bradway
Director of University Events
In Bradway’s role as director of University events, she will oversee and assist with special events including Commencement Weekend, Alumni events, Honors Convocation and on-campus speaker series. She will also direct fundraising initiatives including the annual Stritch Showcase gala, and will identify and develop events that will further Stritch’s mission and contribute to the University’s advancement objectives.
Prior to coming to Stritch, Bradway held several event-based positions in Milwaukee’s corporate and non-profit communities. Most recently, she was a catering sales manager with Marcus Hotels & Resorts, specializing in soliciting and retaining nonprofit business (specifically fundraising galas) through strategic relationship building, and securing high-profile events, including the recent Scott Walker Gubernatorial Inaugural Gala. She also conducted in-depth property site tours, and hosted seminars on how to market and plan successful nonprofit events.
Bradway realized her passion for mission-based work as the volunteer manager with Ten Chimneys Foundation, home of legendary acting couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. There, she managed nearly 300 dedicated volunteers, planned volunteer-related events and continuing education seminars, taught a 14-week volunteer docent training class, and oversaw the facility rental program.
Bradway earned her degree in English from St. Norbert College in 2001. She remains a committed community volunteer, working with Ten Chimneys Foundation, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Campaign, Best Buddies International, and is the 100th Anniversary Gala Coordinator for Saint Sebastian Catholic Parish.
“My new position at Stritch encompasses all the best of every position I’ve held: it’s mission-driven, creative and collaborative, and supports a great institution that continues to add value and impact in our community,” said Bradway. “I am honored to be here.”
Bradway can be reached at ext. 4206 or kabradway@stritch.edu.