Staff
Linda S. Luvaas
Associate Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Relations
she/her/hers
Linda is responsible for the overall management of corporate and foundation relationships for the Reynolda campus. She is the primary CFR contact for the Offices of the President, Provost, and Deans of the College and School of Business, and provides oversight for CFR activity associated with university-wide multidisciplinary initiatives and Centers/Institutes. Prior to joining Wake Forest’s University Advancement team in 2009, Linda led the corporate and foundation relations program at the College of William & Mary. Earlier in her career she also served in development roles at Dickinson College and Washington & Jefferson College. Linda holds a BA in English and History from Allegheny College and an MA in History from Duke University.
Laura Ziesel
Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
she/her/hers
As Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Laura manages relationships with new and existing foundation and corporate partners, especially for the Schools of Divinity and Law, as well as strategic university initiatives. Laura oversees the development of compelling proposals and accurate stewardship in collaboration with faculty, administrators, advancement staff, and CFR colleagues. Prior to joining Corporate and Foundation Relations at Wake Forest in 2018, Laura served as Director of Development for The Veritas Forum, was a freelance writer and editor for religious and higher ed publications, and led a campus ministry at Boston University. Laura holds a BA in History and Religion from New York University, and an MA in Theological Studies from Azusa Pacific Seminary.
Ryan Garner
Assistant Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
she/her
Ryan manages collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff to secure and steward grants for various campus initiatives. Before joining the Wake Forest Advancement team in 2024, she served as the Director of Grants Acquisition and Impact at United Way of Forsyth County. In this role, she led the organization’s grant research, planning, proposal development, and submission processes. Ryan holds a BA from Salem College.
Kathryn Rodman
Research and Stewardship Manager, Corporate and Foundation Relations
she/her/hers
Kathryn’s role includes stewardship and prospect research efforts for Wake Forest’s corporate and foundation donors, collaborating with all CFR team members and campus colleagues to fulfill gift and grant requirements, celebrate and thank existing donors, and identify new funding partners. Kathryn joined University Advancement in 2023, and previously worked for the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and the Oklahoma State University Foundation primarily in stewardship functions. Kathryn holds a BS in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University.