Denise Callahan Email & Phone Number

Eugene, Oregon Area

I shifted to Director of Postsecondary Success in 2014 when the foundation moved beyond just scholarships and I am really proud of the ways our work has expanded. We have grown the team from 6 to 12, expanded the number of Scholars we award, and added strategic grant making. In addition, we’ve increased access through internal policy change and begun to use our learning to inform the field of postsecondary success - especially for high need students with barriers.I am incredibly proud that I could have a role in opening our scholarship programs to qualified undocumented students and increase awareness about the barriers to higher education facing rural students in our state and nationally. I have devised and executed strategies to address policy issues, gaining leadership endorsement for changes that improved student access and support.✦Areas of Expertise:• Knowledge about access, persistence and completion issues for students facing barriers to higher education, especially rural - and more recently - boys.• Management of complex organizations, situations, and people.• Crossover between program development/management and philanthropy.

Eugene, Oregon Area

I was responsible for the oversight, management and strategic direction of The Ford Family Foundation's Scholarship Programs, which award over $12 million annually. Mentored, developed, and managed a high-performing team. In addition, I served as the program officer for postsecondary success initiatives tasked with measuring program outcomes and ensuring seamless execution.I played a pivotal role in reshaping the Foundation's operational landscape, particularly concerning its scholarship programs. I collaborated closely with leadership and the Board to transition from their hands-on approach, using relationship-building and data-driven presentations to cultivate trust, gradually transferring historical oversight to staff management.

✦ Role Snapshot:Managed comprehensive alumni relations division including communications, engagement program, career network, travel program and board of directors. Led review of existing alumni programming and development of new programs in regional areas, communications, career networking and general operations. Built strategic partnerships and programs across campus, including graduate schools, admissions, athletics, career services and student activities.

Oversaw daily operations, 34 staff members and $3M budget. Led review and assessment of divisional structure, business operations and infrastructure in preparation for future campaign, including reorganization of advancement services and new corporate relations program.

Led the management of programming and relationships with the greater Atkinson alumni base and corporate network. Created programs and materials to develop prospect awareness, understanding, engagement and commitment to school priorities, including innovative Dean’s Report.

Directed all programs related to raising unrestricted and unrestricted designated annual gifts to support University programming as a component of the overall development program. Supervised all functions around development services such as gift processing, data management, and reporting.

Mba, Organizational Development

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, English And Spanish (Dual Major)

Activities and Societies: Opening Days Staff Member, Hall Council