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Meet the Team

Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations
University of Notre Dame

1251 N. Eddy Street, Suite 300
South Bend, IN 46617

Administration

  1. Kristen Capitano, M.A.

    Operations Asst Dir, Foundation Relations

    kcapitan@nd.edu

    Full bio

    Kristen Capitano, M.A.

    Operations Asst Dir, Foundation Relations

    Kristen Capitano joined the Foundation Relations team in March 2026. She most recently served as the Director of Grants & Communications for the United Way of St. Joseph County. Previously, she served as a prospect researcher and development writer at Marywood University, where she also earned her Master of Public Administration. Kristen also holds an M.A. in English from the University of Reading and a B.A. in English from Misericordia University.

  2. Ernestine Gardner

    Regional Associate, Corporate and Foundation Relations

    egardne1@nd.edu

    Full bio

    Ernestine Gardner

    Regional Associate, Corporate and Foundation Relations

    Ernestine Gardner joined the Foundation Relations team in 2008 as an administrative assistant. In her current role as FR Regional Associate, she serves the administrative needs of the Corporate and Foundation Relations team, with a primary focus on data entry and analysis. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, she worked in Admissions and Financial Aid at both Drew University and Boston University. She holds B.A. in English from BU, and still enjoys taking the occasional English or history course on campus whenever she can.

  3. Annie Geary

    Regional Associate, Corporate and Foundation Relations

    ageary1@nd.edu

    Full bio

    Annie Geary

    Regional Associate, Corporate and Foundation Relations

    Annie Geary joined the Corporate and Foundations Relations team in 2024 as a Regional Associate. Prior to this role, Annie served as the Advisor to the Vice President and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. She began her Notre Dame career in 1997, serving in several capacities in the Development Office. She also served in a variety of roles in the University’s COVID Response Unit. Annie graduated from Notre Dame in 1991 with a B.A. in Psychology.

  4. Kevin J. Vaughn, DMA

    Sr. Research Analyst, Corporate and Foundation Relations

    kvaughn1@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-0232

    Full bio

    Kevin J. Vaughn, DMA

    Sr. Research Analyst, Corporate and Foundation Relations

    Kevin Vaughn is a Research Analyst in the Department of Development at the University of Notre Dame, where he specializes in prospect research and strategy for the Corporate and Foundation Relations team. He also plays a key role in developing due diligence policies and procedures in collaboration with other university departments. Prior to joining Development, Kevin held administrative roles in graduate programs across the humanities and global affairs. Alongside his expertise in higher education, he holds advanced degrees in music performance.

Corporate Relations

  1. Ken Camm, Ph.D.

    Senior Director of Corporate Relations

    College of Arts and Letters; Departments of Electrical Engineering, Applied Computational Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science and Engineering; Center for Research Computing; Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society; Student Affairs

    kcamm2@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-3781

    Full bio

    Ken Camm, Ph.D.

    Senior Director of Corporate Relations

    Ken Camm is the Senior Director of Corporate Relations for the University of Notre Dame. With over 20 years of experience in both industry and academia, he has a proven track record of leading global teams to tackle complex technical challenges, developing and maintaining long term relationships with key internal and external partners.
     
    Prior to his role at Notre Dame, Ken held various leadership positions at Johnson Matthey, including Global Technical Account Director, where he was responsible for developing and implementing global research and technology strategies.
     
    Ken has PhD and Master's degrees in Chemistry from the University of Leeds in the UK, where he also served as a Teaching Fellow.

  2. Steve Nekic, MBA

    Director of Corporate Relations

    The Law School, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Innovation Hub, the IDEA Center, the ESTEEM Program, NDTL Propulsion and Power

    snekic1@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-2698

    Full bio

    Steve Nekic, MBA

    Director of Corporate Relations

    Steve Nekic serves as the Associate Director of Corporate Relations at the University of Notre Dame. In this capacity, he connects companies from various industries with Notre Dame’s resources and expertise, aiming to advance the University's academic, research, and institutional objectives through enduring and mutually beneficial partnerships.

    The University departments Steve closely collaborates with include the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, ND Power and Propulsion, the Engineering Innovation Hub, the IDEA Center, the ESTEEM Program, and the Law School. He also partners with campus organizations, such as the Center for Career Development and student clubs, to assist companies with their talent pipeline needs.

    Steve has been part of the Corporate Relations team at Notre Dame since 2017. Before returning to his alma mater, he held positions in sales, product development, and brand licensing at Whirlpool Corporation.

    A “Double Domer” from Notre Dame, Steve earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration (2001) and his Master’s in Business Administration (2017) from the Mendoza College of Business.

     

  3. Sarah Pretzlav (Forner), M.A.

    Director of Corporate Relations

    Keough School of Global Affairs, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Psychology, Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, Eck Institute for Global Health, Mike & Josie Harper Cancer Research Institute, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare Neglected Diseases

    sforner@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-5315

    Full bio

    Sarah Pretzlav (Forner), M.A.

    Director of Corporate Relations

     

    Sarah Pretzlav joined the University of Notre Dame in March 2022.

    She is recognized for building strong partnerships and facilitating strategic collaborations that link innovation with mission.

    As Director of Corporate Relations, Sarah facilitates industry engagement with the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Keough School of Global Affairs, The Eck Institute for Global Health, The Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health, and The Warren Center for Drug Discovery. In addition, she supports the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative, and a number of Center- and Institute-level priorities.

    Sarah began her career serving CHN Housing Partners, an Ohio-based nonprofit. There, she successfully grew the organization's portfolio by $4 million. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her team created and administered a $50 million Emergency Rental Assistance Program for families across the state of Ohio. In addition, Sarah taught in the writing programs at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University, mentoring first-year and STEM students.

    With a background in fundraising, corporate engagement, writing, and teaching, Sarah integrates service and education into her work. At ND, her greatest joy is helping co-create solutions that deliver meaningful societal impact.

    Sarah earned a M.A. in English Literature from Case Western Reserve University, and a B.A. in English Literature from John Carroll University.

     

Foundation Relations

  1. Amanda Retartha, Ph.D.

    Senior Director of Foundation Relations

    University Initiatives, the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, the McGrath Institute for Church Life, Regional Economic Development

    amichael@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-0311

    Full bio

    Amanda Retartha, Ph.D.

    Senior Director of Foundation Relations

    Amanda Retartha joined the Foundation Relations team in November 2016. She previously served Notre Dame’s Office of Special Events & Stewardship as the lead for the endowed professorship and library collection stewardship programs. Amanda holds a Ph.D. in English from New York University and an M.A. and B.A. in English from Notre Dame.

  2. Colleen Cross Quinn, Ph.D.

    Director of Foundation Relations

    College of Arts and Letters, School of Architecture, Institute for Social Concerns, Institute for Educational Initiatives, Notre Dame Global, and Robinson Community Learning Center

    ccross@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-8143

    Full bio

    Colleen Cross Quinn, Ph.D.

    Director of Foundation Relations

    Colleen Cross joined the Foundations Relations Team in August 2020. She received her PhD in Peace Studies and Theology from Notre Dame and previously worked for Notre Dame's Institute for Latino Studies. Colleen holds an M.T.S. in Systematic Theology from Notre Dame and a B.A. in Religious Studies and Classics from the University of Arizona.

  3. Suzanne DeGuilio, J.D.

    Director of Foundation Relations

    Keough School of Global Affairs, the Law School, Mendoza College of Business, the IDEA Center, Economics, Political Science, Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, Office of Military and Veterans Affairs

    sdeguili@nd.edu
    P: 574-807-2174

    Full bio

    Suzanne DeGuilio, J.D.

    Director of Foundation Relations

    Suzanne DeGuilio joined the Foundation Relations team in August 2018.. She previously served Notre Dame’s Office of Development as the Associate Director for the Cavanaugh Council and President’s Circle. Suzanne holds a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law and a B.A. in Journalism from Loyola University Chicago.

  4. Kara Primmer, Ph.D.

    Director of Foundation Relations

    Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Eck Institute for Global Health, Environmental Change Initiative, and the Harper Cancer Research Institute

    khuegel1@nd.edu
    P: 574-631-2178

    Full bio

    Kara Primmer, Ph.D.

    Director of Foundation Relations

    Kara Primmer joined the Foundation Relations Team in October of 2021. She previously served as the Program Director for the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative managing all aspects of the center. Kara holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in Biology from Indiana University.