Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee

We are grateful to the individuals below for serving on the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee. Their invaluable support throughout the planning process has made this special event possible.

Committee Leadership

  • Mike Reilly, Honorary Co-Chair & Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Larry Simkins, Honorary Co-Chair & Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Christy Larsen, Honorary Co-Chair & Past Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Joe Poss, Co-Chair & Vice President/Chief Advancement Officer
  • Mia Bertagnolli, Co-Chair & Interim Provost
  • Fr. Gilbert Sunghera, Co-Chair & Superior, Della Strada Jesuit Community
  • Dori Sonntag, Vice Chair, Stakeholder Engagement & AVP/Chief Operating Officer, Advancement
  • Whitney Franklin, Vice Chair, Logistics and Planning & Director of Strategic Initiatives, Advancement
  • Nichole Barta, Vice Chair, Acting Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Provost

Committee Members

  • Molly Ayers, Assistant Dean, Center for Community Engagement
  • Abbie Barsness, Assistant Director, Events and Strategic Initiatives, Advancement
  • Julia Bjordahl, Director of Presidential Operations
  • Matt Eastman, Staff Assembly President
  • Yolanda Gallardo, Dean, School of Education
  • Laura Gatewood, Assistant Vice President, Donor Relations, Advancement
  • Jeff Geldien, Assistant Vice President, Development
  • Alyssa Guzman, GSBA President
  • Kurt Heimbigner, Interim Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications
  • Kara Hertz, Assistant Vice President, Alumni & External Relations
  • Jason Houston, Dean, Gonzaga in Florence
  • Kathleen Jeffs, Associate Provost for Assessment, Accreditation and Programs
  • Chris Johnson, Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Revenue Generation
  • Robin Kelley, Chief Diversity Officer
  • Ray Kliewer, Vice President for Human Resources
  • Astrid LeRoy, Program Assistant, Office of the President
  • Bob Lyons, S.J., University Chaplain and Board of Members
  • Ellen Maccarone, Vice President for Mission Integration
  • Tom McKenzie, Faculty Senate President
  • Suzie Mize, AVP, Auxiliary Enterprises
  • Kent Porterfield, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
  • Angela Ruff, Communications and Events Manager, Office of Provost
  • John Sklut, Sr. Advisor to President, External and Government Affairs
  • Chris Standiford, Athletic Director
  • Brian Steverson, John L. Aram Chair of Business Ethics
  • Shannon Strahl, Deputy Director of Athletics
  • Wendy Thompson, Director of Tribal Relations
  • Becky Wilkey, Director of Campus Security and Public Safety