Meet Our Staff
Karla Aho
Director for Gift Planning
Specialties
Engage alumni and friends in furthering Michigan Tech's mission and programs through
financial support and other activities
Carol Argentati
Administrative Assistant for Advancement
Specialties
Gift processing
Biographical data management
Jennifer Biekkola
Director of Annual Giving
Brent Burns
Director of Federal and Industry Relations
Specialties
Leads the activities of the Industry Relations team through the Office of Innovation
and Industry Engagement
Directs strategies for greater engagement and support between industry partners and
University stakeholders
Specialties
Gift processing
Biographical data management
Gisele Colarossi
Director, Michigan Tech Fund Accounting
Specialties
Pledge receivable administration
Supervision of gift processing
Supervision of biographical data management
Investment accounting
Jim Desrochers
Associate Director of Industry Relations
Specialties
Solicit and secure partnerships and funding with corporate employers of Michigan Tech
students
Initiate and maintain relationships with corporate representatives on behalf of Industry
Relations
Collaborate with University administrators in the stewardship of corporate gift programs
and proposals
Lorrie Graff
Annual Giving Program Assistant
Specialties
Matching Gift Program
Donor Recognition Clubs and Societies
Eric Halonen
Assistant Vice President for Advancement Vice President, Michigan Tech Fund
Specialties
Oversee Advancement Officers team and Office of Gift Planning
Advancement liaison for Graduate School, Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies,
Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics
Brian Hannon
Assistant Director of Industry Sponsored Programs
Specialties
Leads opportunity engagement with industry partners for sponsored programs at the
University, including Clean Snowmobile Challenge and Mind Trekkers
Develops external prospects for Keweenaw Research Center research and testing
Identifies industrial support for sponsored research
Jackie Heikkinen
Office Assistant Michigan Tech Fund
Specialties
Process and deposit gifts
Administrative support
Elizabeth Hoy
Assistant Director, Business & Program Development Great Lakes Research Center
Specialties
Facilitates partnerships that support Institute growth
Directs the development and distribution of outreach material to external partners
Oversees administrative operations
Adam Johnson
Senior Advancement Officer
Specialties
Directs the development of sustainable funding models for University programs that
provide benefit to the University and industry partners
Leads development of initiatives to increase industrial funding for institutes, centers,
and strategic programs at the University
Dale Kero
Senior Advancement Officer
Specialties
Oversee University fundraising activity
Advancement liaison for College of Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Civil and
Environmental Engineering
Shannon Kokkonen
Coordinator, Operations & Industry Outreach
Specialties
Lead Salesforce software user interactions and system interfaces
Develop and lead the coordination of industry campus visits
Manage industry stewardship development
Maintain customer relationship management system
Lead and support Industry Relations & Research Development staff on a variety of projects/initiatives
Ben Larson
Senior Advancement Officer
Specialties
Engage alumni and friends in furthering Michigan Tech’s mission and programs through
financial support and other activities
Advancement liaison for College of Sciences and Arts, Biological Sciences, Chemistry,
Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Humanities, ROTC, Social Sciences, and Visual
and Performing Arts
Sue Mello
Financial Assistant—Michigan Tech Fund
Suzanne Morin
Executive Director of Financial Services & Operations and Controller Controller's
Office
Specialties
Assist in all presidential stewardship assignments
Coordinate major giving thank you calling program
Assist with stewardship of non-scholarship endowments including chair and faculty
positions
Coordinate presidential donor events on and off campus
Meet with department chairs and other beneficiaries of endowments to coordinate stewardship
Paula Nutini
Director of Stewardship and Annual Giving
Specialties
Coordinate all donor and alumni campus visits
Manage lifetime giving societies and clubs
Direct student thank you note programs
Oversee the Presidential Council of Alumnae
Direct all annual giving efforts including the campus campaign, and designated philanthropy
days
Mike Olson
Manager for Advancement Research
Specialties
Research, analyze and summarize biographical information regarding alumni and friends
of the University
Foundation research: analyze and match foundation interests to university needs
Corporation and company research
Carol Sickler
Office Assistant/Gift Processor
Specialties
Gift processing
Biographical data management
Jacque Smith
Director of Graduate Enrollment Services
Specialties
Recruits graduate students
Develops advancement initiatives and marketing strategies
Facilitates alumni relations
Sarah Vertin
Coordinator for Gift Planning Administration
Darcy Way
Senior Advancement Officer
Specialties
Engage alumni and friends in furthering Michigan Tech’s mission and programs through
financial support and other activities
Sarah Williams
Advancement and Alumni Marketing Manager
Specialties
Manage marketing communications for Advancement and Alumni Engagement
Write, edit, and develop content for marketing communications including newsletters,
brochures, websites, electronic publications, and social media
Develop and write alumni and donor stories for publication
