WHO SHE IS
Director of Development for Athletics, Development and University Relations; Cheerleading Adviser
TIME AT FORDHAM
Five years
WHAT SHE DOES
Overseeing a staff of three, Lynette fundraises for 22 varsity sports and 11 club sports. She works with Fordham alumni, friends and parents, and cultivates donor prospect pools to raise money so student athletes get the resources they need to be successful. When her day ends at the development office, she heads to the Rose Hill campus to help train Fordham cheerleaders.
BACKGROUND
After earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Massachusetts, Lynette worked for an advertising firm in Westchester, where she was the youngest director of marketing. Through her work with Fordham’s cheerleading team, she was drawn to a position as a development officer at Fordham Law, and later became the director of development for athletics. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the GSE’s Division of Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy.
LUXURY LOCKERS
“In coordination with the development office, we’ve just raised $1.5 million dollars for a new football locker room, and building will begin in March. It’s been a great group effort and we’re excited to have it. The next project is to raise money for two more sports locker rooms, plus an officials locker room.”
BORN TO CHEER
“I’ve been a cheerleader my whole life. I cheered in college and professionally, and I worked for the Universal Cheerleaders Association, with whom I traveled the United States. It’s always been in my blood. Plus, as the development director, I’m a figurative cheerleader for Fordham sports. I always try to remain as positive as possible. Advising the cheerleaders keeps me in touch with the pulse of the campus. The girls are the spirit of Fordham.”
CAREER HIGHLIGHT
“In 2007, I had an idea to raise seven gifts of $125,000 each to celebrate 125 years of football at Fordham, based on the Seven Blocks of Granite, for which Fordham football is famous. Within four months, we had met the goal through the generosity of seven donors who are helping us to grow the program. That same year, Fordham football won the Patriot League title.”
WHY FORDHAM?
“I love my job. I love what I do. It can be taxing, but I am surrounded by a great staff. I really think Fordham is a supportive place to work. We have the right leadership in place and it just makes you want to be a better fundraiser.”
SUPPORT FOR WOMEN’S SPORTS
“One of the challenges in collegiate athletics is to create a balance between women’s and men’s sports. As a whole, we know men’s sports raise a lot more money than women’s sports. To balance that, I helped create the Kastberg Women’s Athletics Challenge in which Fordham alumni (and former Fordham athletes) James and Joanne Kastberg will donate up to $20,000 a year for three years by matching gifts to the Women’s Athletic Cornerstone Fund.”
OUTSIDE INTERESTS
Not surprisingly, cheerleading is Lynette’s main passion outside of work, aside from her three chihuahuas. She is getting married this July, a time she specifically chose because it doesn’t interfere with the baseball, basketball or football schedules.
