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Betsy Mennell

Vice President
University Advancement

Since August 2019, Betsy Mennell has served as Weber State University’s (WSU) Vice President for University Advancement division that includes Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, Development (fundraising), Government Relations, Marketing & Communications and University Events. Prior to WSU, Betsy worked at Northern Arizona University (NAU) for 18 years, most recently as Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement and President of the NAU Foundation. She also worked at Regis University (Denver, CO) and St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX).

She currently serves on the Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter of the Red Cross Board and is a member of the Garff Foundation’s Women Who Succeed. Betsy holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Arts in Human Services from St. Edward’s University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN).

In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities such as trail running, hiking and biking; athletic events; and cultural happenings such as theatre performances, concerts and museum exhibits.

Kyle Braithwaite

Senior Director
John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics

Kyle is a seasoned advocate for education and community development, boasting over two decades of leadership experience. Armed with a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Weber State University, he furthered his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Utah.

For over 10 years, Kyle has dedicated his career to Weber State University. His deep-rooted loyalty as a Wildcat shines through his distinguished roles, including serving as Student Body President, the University’s first, full-time Annual Fund Director, and his current position as Senior Development Director.

Although he truly bleeds purple and has a deep passion for his alma mater, Kyle’s favorite roles and titles are that of husband and father. He has a love of golf and finds solace in outdoor adventures with his family and playing sports. He channels his intellectual curiosity into board games and contributes actively to online product reviews. Kyle extends his impact beyond campus through volunteerism with organizations such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Unify America, and the Davis County Chamber of Commerce.

Kade Crittenden

Director of Government Relations
& Special Projects University Advancement

As an Ogden, Utah native, Kade T. Crittenden is a staunch supporter of Weber State University and the state of Utah. Beginning with his time as legislative vice president for the WSU Student Association, Kade has worked at the intersection of higher education, government, industry and private philanthropy.

Most recently, Kade worked at Pennsylvania State University as assistant director of development for the Eberly College of Science. His work in development is preceded by time as a corporate engagement associate and institutional policy consultant at PSU. With expertise in government relations, budgeting and policy, Kade focuses on building mutually beneficial relationships between higher education institutions and the communities they serve. Kade holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from PSU, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from WSU.

Kade and his wife Kenidee met and were married as first-year students at WSU when they found "good chemistry" in their chemistry courses. They each have a long legacy of family members who also attended WSU. Kade spends his free time outdoors, at sporting events and playing board games with family. He describes himself as a hobbyist and enjoys woodworking, educational podcasts, birdwatching and videography.

Maggie Gray

Administrative Specialist, Development

Maggie is the Development Office's administrative specialist and she is driven by a passion for higher education. Her journey began at Utah State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and worked as an administrative assistant for three years. After moving to the Ogden area, Maggie was eager to continue her love for the dynamic world of academia and is thrilled to be part of Weber State University—exactly where she wanted to be!

Excited to be a Wildcat, Maggie is ready to bring her skills to her new team and contribute to WSU's mission of making education accessible to all.

Outside of work, you can find Maggie enjoying time with family and friends, engaging in activities ranging from video games to homemade calzones to rock climbing! She believes in balancing professional growth with personal passions and looks forward to the journey ahead.

Jerry Graybeal

Associate Athletic Director
Wildcat Athletics

Jerry Graybeal is a seasoned fundraising professional with over 10 years of experience. Jerry joined the development team at Weber State University after numerous years of service in the department of athletics. He brings a wealth of knowledge with regard to institutional and community relationships that foster ongoing support of philanthropy to WSU.

Jerry is passionate about the community of Ogden, WSU and athletics. He currently serves as a board member of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. Jerry enjoys traveling, golf and being a member of the radio broadcast team for Weber State football.

Emily Heaton

Director
Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education
College of Science

Emily Heaton is a dynamic professional in higher-education fundraising, with over six years of experience in the field. Her career evolution led her to the Weber State University’s development team, where she assumed the role of development director for the College of Science and the Moyes College of Education. Emily takes great pride in nurturing genuine connections and building lasting relationships, whether with new donors or longtime supporters.

Prior to joining WSU’s team, Emily worked as a development officer at Utah State University in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It was there that she discovered the excitement of collaborating with donors to create and elevate educational opportunities for Utah’s students. Inspired by her own journey as a single mom who was able to finish her bachelor’s degree with the help of scholarships, Emily is deeply committed to making education accessible and impactful for all.

Beyond her career, Emily enjoys spending time with her kids and her partner, reading about her ancestors, paddleboarding and exploring Utah's beautiful mountains through hiking and trail running.

Taylor Knuth

Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities

Taylor Knuth (he/him) is a proud graduate of the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre in 2014, and completing a master’s degree in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University in 2018. In 2020, Taylor began a Ph.D. in Education, Culture, & Society at the University of Utah.

Taylor’s professional career began in the Val A. Browning Center, where he was a student worker, scheduling rooms and selling tickets. After graduating and completing an internship in theatre in New York City, Taylor returned to the Browning Center to aid in the execution of programs of the Office of Cultural Affairs (now Browning Presents!). Following this role, Taylor began work at the United Way of Northern Utah as the community services and engagement director. Moving forward, Taylor raised money for Ogden’s oldest Arts Nonprofit, Onstage Ogden and then Weber State University. Working in these roles and others, Taylor has secured millions of dollars in the last decade to help nonprofit organizations, Weber State University faculty and staff, and the Ogden-area community at large. In recent years, Taylor has proudly served as the deputy director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, in the Department of Economic Development for Salt Lake City.

Taylor lives with his husband Sean (who he met at Weber State) and their rescues: George, Ted, and Tina.

In their spare time they renovate a 134-year-old Victorian in the heart of Ogden. Taylor and Sean are active in the Ogden community and are proud founding donors to the Zublin Award Endowment in the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities’ Department of Theatre & Dance.

Taylor bleeds purple, forever & always!

Angie Anderson

Development Coordinator, Development

A Weber County native, Angie Anderson fell in love with learning at an early age. Inspired by numerous extracurricular activities, through foreign language classes and musical pursuits, that brought her to Weber State University campus, Angie quickly developed a deep passion for continuing education and the pursuit of knowledge. This stuck with her into her adult years, leading to a BA in Business Administration. More than 12 years later, Angie provides support to our Development Team with our Planned Giving initiatives and Prospect Management and Research activities.

Her background in a wide range of industries has helped her build a solid framework for organization, project management, and marketing. Angie takes pride in her ability to create beautiful outcomes from chaos and finding the best solution to complex situations.

In her free time, Angie spends her time on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu mats or Olympic Weightlifting platform. She loves to go on walks in the mountains with her family and dogs, Porter and Doc. She enjoys creative hobbies, such as painting and crochet, writing music with her husband and playing a variety of sports with her children. Angie also volunteers her time as an Ambassador for Mission 22 and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Karen Leonardi

Senior Director
Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions

Karen Leonardi is a Weber State University (WSU) alumnus and the Sr. Director of Development for the Dumke College of Health Professions at Weber State University. In this role, Karen leads fundraising and donor relations for ten academic programs within the College of Health.

Karen’s professional journey at WSU began in 2020, following a successful career in the Utah health insurance industry. Karen played a pivotal role in establishing the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Weber State University. With a passion for expanding educational opportunities and a drive to meet the healthcare needs of the community, Karen embarked on a journey to bring this innovative program to fruition. Through her adept leadership, she brought together key stakeholders and secured essential funding, laying a strong foundation for the program’s success.

An Ogden native, community involvement is an absolute priority for Karen. She actively serves as an executive leader and member of numerous local boards and foundations, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact beyond the university campus.

Karen Holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management and Bachelor of Science in Communications and Business. Outside of her professional endeavors, Karen finds joy in spending time with her husband and two adult children, all of whom share the pride of being WSU alumni.

In summary, Karen Leonardi's dedication to advancing education, addressing healthcare needs, and serving her community exemplifies her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Chuck Holland

Director
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Stewart Library

Chuck Holland joined WSU's staff in 2017 after spending time working in development at a college back east. An experienced fundraiser with over 10 years in development, Chuck works closely with the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as the Stewart Library.

His background in customer service, sales, alumni and development has helped him build genuine relationships with numerous people which is what he enjoys about his position. Chuck also has experience as WSU's planned giving development director so he is well suited for his role.

A member of the Ogden Rotary and a longtime lacrosse player and coach, Chuck enjoys spending time with his wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs in the beautiful mountains of Utah.

Shannon Noble

Associate Director
College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology (EAST)

Shannon Noble is the associate development director for the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology at Weber State University. With a wealth of knowledge in fundraising for nonprofits, Shannon joined WSU equipped to make a significant impact. Her community connections greatly benefit her role, evidenced by her service on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber/Davis Board of Trustees, Turn Community Services Board Member and is vice chairperson for the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo.

At WSU, Shannon's fundraising efforts are expansive and impactful. She works tirelessly to expand scholarship support, oversees the successful annual Parson Construction Management Golf tournament, and plays a key role in securing sponsorships for outreach initiatives. Her ability to build strong relationships with WSU alumni, corporate partners, friends and foundations is a cornerstone of her success in advancing the university's mission.

Beyond her professional achievements, Shannon is known as a positive influence on her team, always willing to jump in and help with any task. Her passion for community involvement extends to her personal life as well. She enjoys traveling and spends weekends either cheering on her children and grandchildren at local rodeos or exploring Utah's breathtaking national parks through hiking adventures. Shannon’s dedication to fundraising and community engagement makes her an invaluable asset to WSU and the broader community.

Brent Parkin

Director of Planned Giving, Development

With over seven years of experience in Advancement and currently serving as the director of planned giving at Weber State University, Brent is a dynamic leader in philanthropy and community development. Renowned for securing numerous major gifts for scholarship endowments, facility enhancements and legacy pledges valued in the millions, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives including the establishment of a state-of-the-art music and sound recording studio.

Drawing from prior roles in national real estate development, where he led successful teams in optimizing occupancy and market share for regional shopping centers, bringing a wealth of strategic insight and extensive networking connections. He has held executive leadership positions within prominent community organizations having further amplified his reputation as a respected leader, recognized for driving organizational growth, fostering key partnerships and implementing winning strategies that enhance profitability and impact.

Wayne Purcell

Director
Student Access & Success

Wayne has lived in the United States for over 24 years, originally from New Zealand, he took the pledge of allegiance when he became a proud U.S. citizen in 2020. A highly motivated, accomplished and energetic professional, he has a solid history of achievement in development. As a proud Weber Wildcat, he also brings to development over two decades of corporate sales experience. Wayne loves the opportunity to engage and collaborate with connections of all nationalities and backgrounds.

His university of hard knocks experiences leverages his natural communication skills, hard work ethic and concern for those around him. He has earned the confidence, trust and respect of his co-workers and leadership over his professional career. He possesses unique intangible skills that draw people to him while strengthening team unity and boosting morale. Like most Kiwis (New Zealanders) Wayne loves to cook, especially Luau’s and is a crazy rugby fan and passionately loves the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team.

Kelly Stackaruk

Campaign Director, Development

Kelly's journey at Weber State University began with a vocal scholarship, leading her to join a small jazz group under Dr. Ron Wooden's guidance. Her time at WSU included a transformative study abroad experience in England.

With over three decades of dedicated service to Weber State University, Kelly's career evolved from coordinating fundraising for the Wildcat Club to her current role as Development Director for the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology (EAST). Noteworthy achievements include a 70% increase in privately funded scholarships during her tenure with EAST and surpassing fundraising goals by over 200% during Weber State's Dream 125 Comprehensive Campaign.

Kelly's fundraising efforts have notably resulted in the construction of two new university buildings: the Computer & Automotive Engineering Building at Weber State University Davis and the Noorda Engineering, Applied Science & Technology Building. Her contributions were recognized with the prestigious H. Aldous Dixon Award in 2021.

Currently serving as Campaign Director, Kelly leads a team of talented development directors, focusing on major gift fundraising to propel WSU's growth and impact. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys music, art, cherished moments with family and friends, and plenty of laughter.

Becky Thompson

Events Coordinator, University Advancement

Bio coming soon.

Tim Wilson

Coordinator, Prospect Research

Tim has been the inaugural prospect management and research coordinator at Weber State University since fall 2021. Earlier, he worked at Harvard Business School (2000-2018) and Intermountain Healthcare (2018-2021). A University of Massachusetts Amherst alum who grew up with another state university, Bridgewater State, behind his backyard, Tim feels working at WSU is a sort of homecoming.

Tim is active with the prospect development community via Apra, where he has served on and co-led numerous committees. He is past president of Apra Utah and a director of NEDRA, Apra's largest chapter, in New England.

In 2022, Tim launched a nonprofit podcast, "People in Fundraising," which to date has 100-plus interviewees. Tim loves road trips with his family, history and baseball.

Amber Robson

Annual Fund

Amber is a Weber State University (WSU) alumnus and the Associate Director of Alumni Relations. In this role, Amber leads fundraising and donor relations for the university's Annual Giving program.

Amber's professional journey at WSU began in 2005 as the Marketing Coordinator with the campus Bookstore. In 2012, Amber joined the Alumni Relations team in the Division of University Advancement at Weber State University.

As an Ogden native, Amber has enjoyed connecting the community with Weber State events and activities throughout the year. Two of her favorite programs included the Fill the Sleigh donation drive in 2009 with the WSU Bookstore store and establishing the Purple Paw Parade in 2021 as part of the Make Ogden Purple initiative.

Amber has a Master of Professional Communication degree from Weber State University '17 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Admin/Marketing from '05. Outside of her professional endeavors, Amber finds joy in spending time with her husband and family, all of whom share the pride of being WSU alumni.