Susan Coulter, J.D.
Vice President, Office of Institutional Advancement
Phone: (713) 500-3044
Susan.Coulter@uth.tmc.edu

As Vice President, Susan Coulter is responsible for guiding the synergistic efforts of the development and communications operations to successfully support the comprehensive, campus-wide advancement effort. Since 1998, Coulter was vice president for university advancement at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). There she directed communications, public affairs, alumni relations, development and special events for UTMB. Coulter began her career in 1983 with the Indiana University Foundation, where she served in several capacities for the Campaign for Indiana, which raised $311 million. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and a law degree from Indiana University.

Betsy C. Frantz
Assistant Vice President for Fundraising & Advancement Programs
(713) 500-3202
Elizabeth.C.Frantz@uth.tmc.edu

A fourth-generation Texan, Betsy Frantz has lived in Houston since graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 1965. She completed a Masters in Public Health degree from UT School of Public Health at Houston in 1972, and worked from 1972-1992 first, at the School of Public Health and later, in the university’s Development Office. From 1992-1993, Betsy served as the first woman president of the Houston Texas Exes, the largest and most active chapter in the nation. From 1995-2004, she worked for UT Austin and its “We’re Texas” campaign, as the major gifts officer-in-residence for the Houston Region and its 55,000 alumni. In 2004, she was Director of Development for the George R. Brown School of Engineering and the Weiss School of Natural Sciences at Rice University, returning to UT Austin in 2005 as Executive Director of Principal Gifts for the Houston Region.

Tara McNeill
Director of Development Services
(713) 500-3213
Tara.McNeill@uth.tmc.edu

Tara McNeill joined The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT-Houston) Office of Institutional Advancement in September 2005. Prior to joining UT Houston she worked as a development officer at the Museum of Fine Arts - Houston, as well as several arts organizations in New York City. Tara has an MBA and an MA, Art Administration from Southern Methodist University and received a BA in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin. Her role in the central office is to coordinate and implement a defined program that supports institutional development staff in planning strategic approaches to prospects and contributors representing corporations, foundations, and individuals.

Ellen W. Cannon
Associate Director of Development
(713) 500-3394
Ellen.Cannon@uth.tmc.edu

Ellen Cannon is a native Houstonian and has numerous years in a corporate and administrative environment. She has participated and led multiple fundraising campaigns and special events in both Arlington and Houston. Her business background includes owning a mid-level retail hardware store and leasing in the oil and gas industry. Ellen’s role as Associate Director of Development is to manage stewardship activities within the UTHSC-H and to assist in fundraising activities.

Jenna C. Taylor
Development Communication Specialist
(713) 500-3038
Jenna.C.Taylor@uth.tmc.edu

Jenna C. Taylor joined the office of institutional advancement in March 2008 and has been in the development field since 2002.  Jenna’s background includes experience in annual giving, special events, stewardship and working with development boards. In her role as development communications specialist, she drafts and coordinates case statements, and assists with proposals and other development communications pieces.  Jenna holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas Christian University.

Lisa Christison
Managing Director of Advancement Operations
(713) 500-3204
Lisa.M.Christison@uth.tmc.edu

Lisa Christison has worked in the field of development for twelve years, and has worked at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston since early 2004. As the director of advancement services, she supervises four departments: gift processing, prospect research, donor database management, and gift compliance. Lisa is the key contact if a board member needs assistance with anything related to these areas.

Beth Goldader
Data Management Analyst
(713) 500-3025
Beth.Goldader@uth.tmc.edu

Beth graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA in MIS and Finance. After several years in the private consulting industry, Beth began working for non-profits 6 years ago. She began her non-profit career at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Development Office, and then moved overseas for a short time where she continued working for and with non-profits on a volunteer basis. Now that she is back in Houston, she has joined University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston as a Data Management Analyst. In her role, she is responsible for managing the Development Office’s donor database.

Sharon Kaufman
Data Management Analyst
(713) 500-3443
Sharon.Kaufman@uth.tmc.edu

Sharon Kaufman graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in psychology. She spent several years working at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center as a Health Information Specialist. She has a background in database management across various industries, including healthcare, non-profit and international business. As a Data Management Analyst at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, she assists in the administrative management of the Office of Institutional Advancement’s donor database.

Ty Sponberg
Sr. Gift Compliance Officer
(713) 500-3210
Edward.Sponberg@uth.tmc.edu

Ty Sponberg has more than 15 years of compliance experience with the State of Texas. As the gift compliance officer he is responsible for processing new endowment agreements, ensuring endowments comply with relevant rules and regulations, and seeing that university staff are kept informed on endowment issues. Ty is the key contact for questions concerning gift compliance.

Thomas Chumbley
Gift Assurance Officer
(713) 500-3203
Thomas.Chumbley@uth.tmc.edu

Tom’s background includes developing and administering both the budget and program side of grants conducting applied administration and public policy research. Tom acquired some of his experience and training at the University of South Carolina Institute for Public Service and Policy Research, South Carolina Governor’s Office of Executive Policy and Programs, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Augusta State University, and Freed-Hardeman University. As the Gift Assurance Officer, Tom is responsible for working collaboratively to develop and administer a gift assurance program. Tom is the key contact for questions concerning current use gift compliance.

Ralph Kimbrell
Manager of Gift Administration
(713) 500-3224
Ralph.Kimbrell@uth.tmc.edu

Ralph Kimbrell has more than 20 years of finance experience in both the private sector (Unocal/Chevron Corporation) and the public sector (United Way of Greater Houston). As the Manager of Gift Administration, he is responsible for maintaining accurate gift information. Ralph is the key contact for questions regarding gift accounting and reporting.

Melissa Guerrero
Gift Administration Specialist
(713) 500-3206
Melissa.Guerrero@uth.tmc.edu

Melissa Guerrero is responsible for the many aspects of gift processing, making deposits, keeping departmental gift records, and sending out pledge reminders. She has clerical/receptionist experience and has held customer service-oriented positions. Melissa's extra training includes certificates in computer applications in business and in word processing.

Alice B. Pavlak
Prospect Research Coordinator
(713) 500-3187
Alice.Bushman@uth.tmc.edu

Alice Pavlak joins the health science center from the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, where she spent six years specializing in prospect research, foundation relations, and database management. She holds a BA in English and Managerial Studies from Rice University. In her role as Prospect Research Coordinator, Alice supervises the prospect research team and identifies and researches major gift prospects for the university.

Desiree Salazar
Prospect Researcher
(713) 500-3068
Desiree.Salazar@uth.tmc.edu

Desiree Salazar comes to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston from the March of Dimes, where she specialized in special events. In her role as prospect researcher, she is responsible for identifying and researching individual, foundation, and corporation prospects. She holds a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University.

Helen (Moss) Thornton
Prospect Researcher
(713) 500-3201
Moss.F.Thornton@uth.tmc.edu

As a prospect researcher, Moss Thornton is responsible for background information on all prospects, including individuals, foundations and corporations. She has more than 20 years experience in broadcast news as well as experience in the catering and theatre industries.

Nesh Aqrawi
Development Board Relations Coordinator
(713) 500-3024
Nesh.Aqrawi@uth.tmc.edu

Nesh, a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Houston, is responsible for all communication between the university and the Development Board, coordination of the Board’s executive committee, membership committee, and the Development Board councils. She is the liaison and coordinator for Leaders of Tomorrow. Before promoted to this position, Nesh was a Special Programs Coordinator and executed communications and events for UT Health Science Center. She began her career at Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P.

Susan Diederich
Director of Annual Giving
(713) 500-3387
Susan.Diederich@uth.tmc.edu

Born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany, Susan and her family moved to Houston in 1975. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas A&M University. After a successful career in teaching, Susan spent eight years at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, five of them in the Development Office managing their annual giving program. Her role at the Health Science Center is to create and implement successful strategies to secure annual gifts.

Shirley Druggan
Director, Gift Planning
(713) 500-3382
Shirley.Druggan@uth.tmc.edu

Shirley S. Druggan, as the Director of Gift Planning, is embarking upon building a new planned giving program at the Health Science Center. Shirley, who specializes in helping donors with complex gifts, charitable trusts, and bequests, has a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt University, specializing in Institutional Advancement; a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky; and is nearing completion of the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) through The American College’s graduate school. Most recently, Shirley served as the Vice President of Development for Star of Hope, and prior to that, the Senior Director of Planned Giving for Menninger Clinic’s $125 million capital campaign. She also served as the 2007-08 President of The Planned Giving Council of Houston.

Steven Randall Penn, M.B.A.
Executive Director of Development
(713) 500-3251
Steven.Penn@uth.tmc.edu

John Greer
Director, Development
(713) 500-4380
John.T.Greer@uth.tmc.edu

Jayne Little
Executive Assistant
(713) 500-4386
Jayne.Little@uth.tmc.edu

Linda Haag Carter
Director, Public Relations & Development
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
(713) 500-9865
Linda.M.Carter@uth.tmc.edu

JoAnn Kent
Development Officer
(713) 741-7807
Joann.Kent@uth.tmc.edu

Christy Ankrom
Assistant Director of Development & Marketing
(713) 500-7047
Christy.Ankrom@uth.tmc.edu

Jackie Callies
Executive Director of Development
(713) 500-3544
Jacquelyn.Callies@uth.tmc.edu

Melinda Carter
Director of Development
(713) 500-3547
Melinda.Carter@uth.tmc.edu

Lynn Cutrer
Manager of Patient and Community Relations
(832) 325-7650
Lynn.S.Cutrer@uth.tmc.edu

Naima Holloway
Senior Staff Assistant
(713) 500-3206
Naima.Holloway@uth.tmc.edu

Varessa Kelton
Assistant Executive Director, Development
(713) 500-3545
Varessa.Kelton@uth.tmc.edu

Claire Lindsay
Assistant Director of Annual Giving
(713) 500-5181
Claire.Lindsay@uth.tmc.edu

Gevetta “Jet” Phillips
Special Project Coordinator
(713) 500-3543
Gevetta.W.Phillips@uth.tmc.edu

Mary Stevenson
Director of Development
(713) 500-3546
Mary.Stevenson@uth.tmc.edu

Karyn Ullman
Director of Development
Children’s Learning Institute
(713) 500-3746
Karyn.Ullman@uth.tmc.edu

Karen Minich
Director of Development
(713) 500-3912
Karen.J.Minich@uth.tmc.edu

Catherine Guy Merriman
Director of Development
(713) 500-9059
Catherine.B.Merriman@uth.tmc.edu

Gail Mindy Singer
Director of Development
(713) 500-2006
Gail.Fox@uth.tmc.edu

S. Nicole Tate
Assistant Director of Development
(713) 500-2095
Sara.N.Enterline@uth.tmc.edu

Linda Brown
Administrative Services Officer II
(713) 500-3046
Linda.C.Brown@uth.tmc.edu

Linda C. Brown is the administrative services officer for the Office of Institutional Advancement and has been with the university for 17 years. She is responsible for all personnel, budgeting and finances for the department. She meets frequently with the vice president, to discuss and prepare reports. She also serves as an internal and external liaison for the department to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of information.

Sheila Amiot
Executive Assistant
(713) 500-3021
Sheila.Amiot@uth.tmc.edu

Sheila Amiot serves as Executive Assistant in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She uses management experience gained during many years in business administration to coordinate executives’ schedules and to meet the exacting demands of their positions. Sheila has been a valued part of the office for 8 years and her variety of expertise is called upon by all areas of the department.

Kathy Burrell
Executive Assistant
(713) 500-3388
Kathy.Burrell@uth.tmc.edu

Kathy currently serves as Executive Assistant for the Office of Institutional Advancement bringing more than eight years of development administrative experience to give assistance in building the planned giving and annual fund programs at the Health Science Center. Most recently, Kathy served as development manager for Families Under Urban and Social Attack and prior to that, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Development for Star of Hope Mission; she has also served as Administrative Assistant to Senior Director of Development for the Houston Symphony. Kathy is Executive Director of a non-profit organization that focuses on issues pertinent to today’s teen girls and young adult women.

Nancy Jadrych
Senior Executive Assistant
(713) 500-3066
Nancy.Jadrych@uth.tmc.edu

Nancy serves as Senior Executive Assistant, supporting Susan H. Coulter, J.D., Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Nancy provides executive-level secretarial, administrative and project management support for Ms. Coulter and her team. Nancy has more than 25 years experience working with executive professionals in a wide range of fields from oil and gas to U.S. Customs law firms and steel companies. Most recently she supported the Executive Vice President for Sander and Travis Trade Advisory Services, Inc. a U.S. Customs brokerage law firm located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Nancy grew up in Texas, graduated with a B.S. in Economics from Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State University), and brings a wealth of knowledge supporting executives to the Institutional Advancement Team.

Janis McElligott
Senior Coordinator, Special Programs
(713) 500-3211
Janis.McElligott@uth.tmc.edu

Sandra Marroquin
Administrative Assistant II
(713) 500-3048
Sandra.Marroquin@uth.tmc.edu

Sandra Marroquin has worked for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for 16 years. She is responsible for monitoring all expenses for the Office of Institutional Advancement. She maintains accurate records for inventory, time management and the proper use of the UT BuyCard expenses.

Margaret Zambrano
Administrative Assistant II
(713) 500-3049
Margaret.Zambrano@uth.tmc.edu

Margaret transferred to the Office of Institutional Advancement from the Medical School. Margaret has been with the university since 1990 where she worked in Capital Assets.  Since then she has worked in the Office of Facilities Planning and Development and most recently in Family Medicine.  Margaret assists both in our administrative area and our development services area as well as performs Spanish translations for some of our Health Leader articles.