Sylvia Bierhuis, Executive Director
Sylvia is an energetic team-player and strong supporter of public higher education, with over 10 years of progressive C&F fundraising experience at Berkeley. She has worked extensively with faculty, deans, senior leadership and others to build effective fundraising strategies that work to the benefit of the university, the larger community, and Berkeley's organizational partners.
Sylvia currently manages the central Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy team, which is housed within University Development and Alumni Relations. Previously, she worked in Corporate Relations for the College of Engineering at Berkeley. Sylvia has a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia and a MPA from Cal State East Bay.
Sylvia serves as a liaison to the following campus units:
- Principal Gifts-Strategic Initiatives (UDAR)
- Vice Chancellor for Research Office (VCRO)
- School of Public Health (SPH)
- Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS)
- Haas School of Business
- Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS)
- Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI)
Email - sbierhuis@berkeley.edu
David M. Siegfried, Director
David's work involves the development of large campus-wide interdisciplinary proposals. He also manages a portfolio of foundations focused on education, equity and social justice issues. Prior to joining FRCP in 2010 as the Sr. Research Analyst, David worked as a public high school teacher and community educator. He is a proud graduate of Bard College.
David serves as liaison to the following campus units:
- School of Social Welfare
- Equity and Inclusion
- Student Affairs
- Greater Good Science Center
- L&S - Social Sciences
- Undergraduate Education
- Berkeley School of Education
- Graduate Division
- BAMPFA
- Cal Performances
- Social Science Focused Organized Research Units (ORUs)
Email - dsiegfried@berkeley.edu
Aaron Diaz, Director
Aaron maintains a portfolio of STEM-focused foundations and serves as liaison to the following colleges, schools, divisions and departments:
- L&S - Math and Physical Sciences
- L&S - Biological Sciences
- College of Chemistry
- College of Engineering
- College of Natural Resources
- School of Optometry
- CITRIS and the Banatao Institute
- Othering & Belonging Institute
- STEM Focused ORUs
- Any research units or programs affiliated with the above
Email - aaron.diaz@berkeley.edu
Margaret Guerrero, Director
Margaret's work includes the development of large, complex proposals and the management of a portfolio of foundations focused on public policy, urban and regional issues, international development, and the arts and humanities. Prior to joining the FRCP team, Margaret was the Director of Foundation Relations for Rice University. Margaret has a B.S. in Communication Studies and a MPA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Margaret serves as liaison to the following campus units:
- School of Journalism
- Berkeley's School of Law
- Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC)
- School of Information (I School)
- College of Environmental Design
- Goldman School of Public Policy
- Arts & Humanities division
- Humanities ORUs
- Regional and Area Studies ORUs
- Business and Law ORUs
- Berkeley Library
Email - mguerrero@berkeley.edu
Nell Payne, Associate Director of Operations
Nell oversees the work of the FRCP operations team. Operations works to ensure the donors’ gifts and grants are allocated, tracked and reported on correctly and in a timely manner. The Operations Team assists FRCP and campus colleagues with proposals and works to ensure their corporate and foundation fundraising work is reflected in the development database (CADS.) Nell also works with UDAR AIM staff to ensure organization record integrity in CADS.
Prior to Berkeley, Nell worked at a small liberal arts college in the Pacific Northwest.
Email - npayne@berkeley.edu
Jillian Parlee, Assistant Director, Communications
Jillian currently serves as the FRCP digital communications specialist, collaborating with units across campus to explore funding opportunities, maintaining the FRCP web presence, and ensuring that partnership opportunities are in alignment with the University’s values and mission of teaching, research, and public service.
Email - jillianp@berkeley.edu
Susie Ward, Assistant Director, Prospect Research
Susie currently serves as FRCP's researcher and prospect development liaison, collaborating with units across campus to explore funding and partnership opportunities, helping with strategy development and assisting with portfolio management.
Email - sward@berkeley.edu