Meet the Major and Planned Giving Team
Jeff Geldien, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President, Academic Development and Major & Planned Gifts
geldien@gonzaga.edu
Jeff Geldien oversees the development team for University Advancement at Gonzaga, including the annual, major and planned giving divisions. In partnership with the associate vice president/COO and the vice president of University Advancement, he works collaboratively with all academic deans, the athletic department, and the Office of the Provost to drive resources in support of Gonzaga’s strategic plan and University priorities through multiple giving vehicles. As assistant vice president, Jeff has helped expand the relationship between advancement and academic leadership so that deans can be able to work with gift officers and University Advancement more effectively, including planned giving efforts.
Geldien, a 16-year veteran in higher education fundraising, joined Gonzaga University in 2008. Prior to being appointed as assistant vice president in 2018, he most recently served as assistant dean of external relations for the School of Law at Gonzaga where he oversaw all development, alumni relations, marketing, communications, and campaign efforts for the unit. In addition to his development duties, Jeff has spent the past 16 years serving on various University committees, which has allowed him to develop a deep understanding of the higher education landscape as well as higher educational philanthropy.
Geldien holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming and a master’s and doctorate in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University and is a 2022 graduate of the American Academic Leadership Institute’s (AALI) Senior Leadership Academy. He is also a Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning, awarded in 2023 from the Charitable Estate Planning Institute.
Primary Relationship Manager:
- School of Law
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Office of the Provost
- Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment
Joanne joined Gonzaga’s University Advancement team in 2018, working remotely from Seattle as a regional development officer. In this role Joanne focused primarily on advancement work in the communities of the San Francisco Bay and Seattle areas. In 2021, Joanne was promoted to director of development for University Advancement. As such, she is the primary relationship manager for the School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Leadership Studies. Her priority is advancing these academic units in partnership with their deans by driving resources and revenue, alumni engagement and donor stewardship. Joanne continues to work closely with leadership of the Seattle and Bay Area alumni chapters and currently serves on the University Advancement Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team.
Primary Relationship Manager:
Chris joined Gonzaga’s planned giving team in 2023 as the senior director of gift planning. Chris manages, organizes and implements a program that promotes long-term support of the University through planned and deferred giving vehicles such as bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, real estate and life insurance gifts. He provides leadership and strategic direction to the University Advancement team in all aspects of planned giving, including blended giving strategies for marketing and cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. Additionally, Chris works closely with the University’s Office of Finance, Controller’s Office, General Counsel and Life Income Administrator to oversee ongoing maintenance and closure of various planned gift arrangements.
Shanna has been with Gonzaga University since 2014, when she returned to the workforce after a decade dedicated to raising her family. During her time in University Advancement, she has served as an annual gift officer, assistant director of parent and leadership giving, and in January 2022 took on the role of major gift officer. In her role she is the primary relationship manager for the School Nursing and Human Physiology, Gonzaga Science Research Program and the primary contact for parent and family giving. Her priority is advancing these units in partnership with their deans and leadership by driving resources and revenue, alumni engagement and donor stewardship. Shanna is the parent of two current students and is a recent Zag grad herself (’20 M.A., Organizational Leadership).
Primary relationship manager for:
Raoul joined Gonzaga’s University Advancement team in 2023 as a major gift officer. As a leader primarily in non-profits, Raoul has been developing people, communities and donors to increase their desired impact since 2009. In his current role, Raoul’s focus is to secure resources through partnerships in order to meet student needs and move Gonzaga’s mission forward.
Primary relationship manager for:
Jaunessa joined Gonzaga’s University Advancement team in 2023 as a major gift officer. A proud double Zag (having earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University), Jaunessa has enjoyed returning to her alma mater to serve on this team. She brings more than a decade of experience as an entrepreneur and owner of a successful community-focused business, as well as some 7 years working in education administration, both for K-12 districts and community colleges. In her current role, Jaunessa’s focus is to build relationships with individuals and groups seeking to be more involved with Gonzaga. She aims to facilitate partnerships rooted in shared values and priorities that drive the University’s mission forward. She also hopes to help continue fostering that uniquely Zag experience for students.
Primary relationship manager for:
Elizabeth began her career within Gonzaga University’s Planned Giving Department in 2002. She first served as an administrative secretary, then as a program coordinator and most recently as planned giving specialist.
Elizabeth assists the director of planned giving by providing administrative support of planned and realized gift options initiated by Gonzaga’s alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff. She manages and tracks internal reporting functions, assists in the processing of life income gifts and tracks marketing efforts within the planned giving department. Elizabeth provides stewardship and cultivation outreach, responds to inquiries and represents the department during certain social events, meetings and special events. She collaborates with departmental colleagues and leadership, local community professionals and external groups to help facilitate and manage planned giving’s annual initiatives.
Carol has been a part of the University Advancement team for over 15 years. She has worked in Annual Giving & Telefund, and currently supports the AVP of Academic Development and Major & Planned Gifts, Major Giving, Planned Giving and Principal Giving staff. Carol also manages University Advancement Men’s Basketball tickets, the department budget and furniture, and technology related needs for University Advancement. Carol holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and has taken classes in the Organizational Leadership Program at Gonzaga.