Vice president, Development & Alumni Relations

Joseph P. Sweeney serves as the vice president of Development and Alumni Relations, overseeing the university’s fundraising, alumni relations and advancement services.

Sweeney, a 1981 Saint Mary's graduate, comes to Saint Mary’s from Loyola Academy, a Jesuit college-preparatory high school in Wilmette, Ill., where he served for 11 years as vice president for development and director of principal gifts. During Sweeney’s tenure, Loyola’s endowment increased from $14 million to nearly $53 million. Previously, Sweeney worked seven years as director of development at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois.

Development Coordinator

507-457-6647

Sherry Boynton, a Winona native, serves Saint Mary’s as coordinator in the office of development and alumni relations. She provides administrative support to the development staff. Sherry has been with the university, at the Saint Teresa Campus, since September 2002 and joined the development staff in June of 2007.

Leadership Gift Officer

507-457-6675

Jennifer Butson has served the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as Leadership Gift Officer since July 2007. Her primary responsibility is to assist our alumni and friends with their philanthropic goals. Jennifer graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Leisure Services, Programming Option, and a Certificate of Nonprofit Youth Agency Administration from American Humanics in 1999. She started her career as the Youth & Family Program Director at the Siouxland Y in Sioux City, IA for 2 years. Jennifer then served the Boy Scouts of America for seven years, first as a District Executive for the Indianhead Council in Saint Paul, MN and then as Development Director at the Gamehaven Council in Rochester, MN. Jennifer will be pursuing her M.A. in Philanthropy and Development at Saint Mary’s University starting in July 2008.

Director of Stewardship Services and Volunteer Management

507-457-7000

Vickie L. Cada serves the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as Director of Stewardship Services and Volunteer Management. Her primary responsibilities include: stewardship of annual and endowed scholarships, scholarship reporting, general stewardship functions which support development and alumni efforts, as well as volunteer management and relations. Vickie is a 2001 graduate of Saint Mary's with a B.A. in Business Communication and has been employed by the university since 1992.

Director of Annual Giving

507-457-6658

Bob Fisher, Director of Annual Giving, has served the Office of Development and Alumni Relations  since 2000. His primary responsibilities include the cultivation, marketing, solicitation and stewardship of the Saint Mary’s University Annual Fund. Bob graduated from Saint Mary’s in 1997 with a B.A. in History, and in 2006 with a M.A. in Philanthropy and Development. Bob works as a board member for Habitat for Humanity-Winona County and enjoys his many musical activities at Saint Mary’s and in the Winona community.

Assistant for Advancement Services

507-457-6670

Coral Henthorne serves Saint Mary’s as the Assistant for Advancement Services. She provides administrative support to the SMU development staff. Coral has been with the university since August 1999 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Leadership Gift Officer

507-457-1785

Katrina, a native of Buffalo City, WI and graduate of Trinity College, has served Saint Mary’s as a Leadership Gift Officer since June 2006.  Her primary responsibility is to assist our alumni and friends with their philanthropic goals.  Katrina began her career as a Capital Campaign Associate at her alma mater, a Catholic women’s college in Washington, D.C.  She has also served as the Development Director of Cotter High School & Catholic Schools Foundation. Katrina is currently completing the Masters of Philanthropy and Development Program at Saint Mary’s and has been elected as a member of the board of directors for the Upper Mississippi River Valley Chapter of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals).  Katrina is the assistant tennis coach for Saint Mary's for 2006-2007. 

Leadership Gift Officer

507-457-1486

Dominic Lawrence '06 has recently joined the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as a Leadership Gift Officer. He received his B.A. in Public Relations in 2006 and will also be pursuing his M.A. in Philanthropy and Development in July 2007. As an active member of the Saint Mary's community, Dominic is excited to expand his relationships with our many alumni and friends who are also passionate about fostering the University's Catholic, Lasallian mission of education. Dominic is an avid outdoorsman who can be found helping in the Winona community while volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Director of Advancement Services and Grants Administration

507-457-1452

Diana K. Miller, M.A., Director of Advancement Services and Grants Administration, has been with Saint Mary’s since October 2004. She holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston. Diana is currently pursuing the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development at Saint Mary’s.

Prior to her work at Saint Mary’s, she served as the Executive Director for the Women’s Resource Center of Winona. A resident of Winona since 1996, Diana volunteers as a member of the Winona Community Education Advisory Council and remains active in grassroots community efforts to end violence against women.

Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Graduate & Professional Programs

Office location:

Mailing Address:

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
2500 Park Ave.
Minneapolis MN 55404

612-728-5202

Tina Palmer serves as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. Prior to joining Saint Mary's in January 2007, Tina worked as the National Director of Development for Volunteers of America's healthcare services. She began her development career with Scholarship America, a national nonprofit focusing on expanding educational opportunities for youth throughout the country. Tina was awarded the title of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in March of 2004. She received her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University, Mankato and received her master's degree in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary's. Tina is the current president-elect of the board for the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She has also served as the Vice President of Education for the chapter.

Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations

Office location:

507-457-1755

Stacey Swanson serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. A Winona native, Stacey has served Saint Mary's University of Minnesota since September of 1999.

Alumni Relations Coordinator

507-457-1499

Director of Alumni Relations

507-457-1618

Director of Alumni Records & Research

507-457-1484

Prospect Manager

507-457-1454