Meet the Staff
Linda Zimmerman, Director of Development
Since joining Brownell-Talbot School in 1997, Linda Zimmerman has seen continuous and generous parent and community support for the School. With focused effort and direction, Linda, the staff, and numerous volunteers have helped to raise several million dollars to support the School's annual operating budget. In addition, the endowment has increased by more than $3 million during her tenure.
Through her concentrated efforts, the School has received several grants, including a $2 million Malone Family Foundation endowment grant to support scholarships for gifted and talented students with financial need.
Linda's boundless energy and enthusiasm for the School are obvious whether she is working on the Annual Sustaining Campaign, major and planned gifts, grants and scholarships, or other projects. Her thorough knowledge of the School's history is a valuable resource.
DeVon Coble, Director of Alumni Relations
DeVon Coble joined Brownell-Talbot in 2003, coming from the Joslyn Art Museum where she served as membership director for four years and from Wayne State College where whe served as Director of Alumni Relations for nine years. Through her coordination and with the help of alumni and student volunteers, alumni giving has increased significantly. She keeps in touch with alumni by telephone, e-mail, letters, postcards, and Facebook.
DeVon is the consummate coordinator, is meticulously organized, and enjoys the busy schedule of year-round alumni and development activities. She recently coordinated the highly successful three-day All-School Reunion in August 2008.
Thanks to DeVon's efforts, alumni contributions to the School have doubled since her arrival, evidenced by her effectively written communications, outreach programs, and the annual phonathon.
Fundraising is still the number one priority for the Development Office, and DeVon's works directly with the Golden Gala Chairs and scores of volunteers, DeVon oversees the silent and live auctions, advertising, corporate sponsorships, faculty, staff, and student contributions, reservations, internal communications and mailings, and quite literally hundreds of details necessary for a successful event.
Cathy Tibbels, Director of Public Relations & Publications
Cathy Tibbels joined Brownell-Talbot in 2003. She joined the School after working in the development areas of Midland Lutheran College and Creighton University for a total of seven years. In her role at Brownell-Talbot, the Lower School students frequently refer to her as "the picture lady," as they most often see her with camera in hand taking photos of School life. She also serves as the site administrator for the School Web site and produces the B-T Magazine and monthly School newsletter. She also provides design support to alumni and fund-raising projects, including the annual Golden Gala.
As coordinator for media relations and internal and external communications, her high standards for accuracy, consistency, and timeliness keep the Brownell-Talbot name in the news.
Whether she is coordinating a photo shoot, assisting the faculty with writing projects, or working with students, Cathy is enthusiastic, cooperative, and supportive — a polished and positive member of the team.
Renae Mackender, Database Administrator
Renae Mackender joined Brownell-Talbot as administrative support for the admissions and development offices in 1998 and was named database administrator in November 2003 and, in this capacity, she manages the fundraising and alumni databases, coordinates all mailings, produces numerous reports, reconciles transactions with the business office monthly, and records and acknowledges all gifts and pledges. She is also an ace proofreader.
Her customer service orientation and pleasant personality are exemplified by the support she provides to the Golden Gala each year. She manages the auction databases, handles all correspondence, and serves as cashier for all Gala purchases. It is not uncommon to see several volunteers waiting at Renae’s door early each morning to discuss an auction item, turn in advertising contracts, check the status of reservations, or put in a request for mailing labels. Through the inevitable crises, eleventh-hour revisions, and countless changes to the schedule, Renae is always professional, helpful, and kind.
