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Meet Our Team

The Division of Institutional Advancement is an integrated team that is dedicated to furthering the mission of the University and engaging alumni, parents and the community in the Westfield State experience.

Together, the different units support students, faculty and staff through fundraising, communications and engagement of external constituencies in meaningful interactions that foster pride, advocacy and private support for the University. We also provide fundraising leadership through the stimulation and facilitation of healthy, productive and lifelong relationships with our colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations and corporations.Staff in Westfield State’s Division of Institutional Advancement are prepared to answer questions and assist you in determining how to fit your contribution to your own financial and philanthropic objectives.

Institutional Advancement
Office Location

Horace Mann Center
333 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA 01086

Our Team

Lisa McMahon
Interim Vice President, Institutional Advancement
lmcmahon@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8645

Bill Hynes
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement and Westfield State University Foundation, Inc.
whynes@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8647

Joanne Leighton 
Staff Associate to the VP Institutional Advancement
jleighton@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8811

Patricia Richard
Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Westfield State University Foundation, Inc.
prichard@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8256

ADVANCEMENT AND STEWARDSHIP

Marnie Dacko
Major Gifts Officer
mdacko@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8648

Laura Blockel
Director of Corporate & Foundation Grants
lblockel@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8641

Kelly Galanis
Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations
kgalanis@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8631

ANNUAL FUND

Sarah Wakelin
Senior Annual Giving Coordinator
swakelin@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-5228

ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

Liz Rich
Director of Advancement Services
erich@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8489

Alyce Stiles
Senior Coordinator of Advancement Services
astiles@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8654

Jessica Magnuson
Senior Coordinator of Advancement Gifts & Records 
jmagnuson@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8257

Nicole Pratt
Administrative Assistant I, Advancement
npratt@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8654

ALUMNI RELATIONS

Ryan Meersman '12. M'18
Director, Alumni Relations
rmeersman@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-5404

Elle Bukosky
Recent Alumni & Reunion Coordinator
ebukosky@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8649

Cheri Baranowski
Administrative Assistant II, Alumni Relations
cbaranowski@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8652