WGU Advancement Team
Melissa O'Malley
Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Melissa leads WGU’s strategic communications, brand positioning, and philanthropic advancement operations. She oversees integrated teams that shape the university’s identity, elevate its mission, and forge influential partnerships that expand WGU’s reach and impact across sectors.
Prior to WGU, Melissa decade-long tenure at PayPal, she held a variety of strategic communications and global initiatives roles with increasing responsibilities, including her involvement in the spin-off from eBay, helping to establish PayPal as an independent global leader in digital payments.
Earlier in her career, Melissa served as Director of Global Social Media and Influencer Programs at HP, where she launched cross-channel media strategies that redefined how the company engaged with audiences and influencers worldwide.
Melissa’s decade of international experience includes leading HP’s PR and Analyst Relations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa while based in Munich and leading marketing communications at Zurich-based UPAQ, where her strategic planning helped secure over 30 million Swiss Francs in investment.
Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in English, and graduated magna cum laude from Boston University.
Jeff Martin
Vice President
Based in Salt Lake City, Jeff brings over seventeen years of progressive Advancement leadership experience in higher education. A former scholarship athlete at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a first-generation college graduate, Jeff understands firsthand the transformative power of higher education.
His personal journey fuels his passion for supporting WGU’s mission to make higher education accessible and affordable to all who seek it. Jeff looks forward to partnering with current and prospective donors who share a commitment to helping individuals and families build better futures through education.
Prior to joining WGU, Jeff held Advancement leadership roles at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Utah, and Michigan State University.
Brandon Zollner
Executive Director of Development
Brandon is based in middle Tennessee and is responsible for leading the development team which includes regions, corporate and foundation relations, and stewardship. He has over 17 years of experience in higher education fundraising and program development. Prior to WGU, Brandon held fundraising and relationship development roles at Saint Louis University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Brandon holds an undergraduate degree and MBA from Saint Louis University, and is drawn toward WGU’s focus on quality, access, and affordability in education.
Erica Adams
Regional Director, West
Erica is based in California and leads regional WGU Advancement efforts in the West. She brings more than 20 years of non-profit experience leading advancement teams and major fundraising efforts and successfully raised millions of dollars for various non-profits. Most recently she served as Vice President of Mater Dei High School, the Vice President of Mater Dei High School, the largest Catholic High School in the country for the past ten years. She has successfully developed advancement and alumni programs in private education and the non-profit sector and is dedicated to advancing the organizational mission with sincerity and professional expertise. Erica loves spending time with her family and camping with her husband. She also loves watching her youngest son play football and is a proud military mom.
Amy Fairchild
Executive Assistant to the Vice President
Amy brings over 40 years of experience as an office manager and executive assistant, with more than 20 of those years spent in higher education. She joined WGU Advancement inspired by the university’s mission of equity and affordability in education—values that deeply align with her own commitment to philanthropy. Being part of a team dedicated to raising funds to support students made WGU the perfect fit for her passion and professional expertise.
Tim Franco
Prospect Research Analyst, Research and Data Strategy
Tim started his professional career in retail leadership before transitioning to the world of higher education. He spent over three years supporting the research needs of frontline fundraisers at the University of Arizona Alumni and Development Program. He thrives on being a force of positivity and always focuses on fostering strong and strategic partnerships wherever he is. He earned his BA in History from the University of Arizona. As a first generation college graduate, the mission of WGU to provide access to affordable education is particularly meaningful to him. Tim lives in Tucson, AZ. He enjoys taking trips to Disneyland, visiting breweries, watching movies, and playing trivia.
Heather Marsh
Regional Director, South
Heather has more than twenty years of experience serving the education and nonprofit sector and she is passionate about seeing people from all backgrounds reach their learning potential and realize the transformative power of education. Most recently, Heather was the Senior Director of Development for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Executive Director for the Texas Higher Education Foundation. In these dual roles, she oversaw the coordinated efforts to raise awareness and financial support for the state’s higher education plan. She holds an M.B.A. from the University of Dallas and a B.F.A. from Texas State University. On weekends, Heather will be hiking with the family or driving her 1965 MGB around the backroads of Texas - always with a tool bag in the trunk!
Amanda Moline
Development Project Specialist
Amanda is based in Arizona and has spent over 10 years in education from teaching English abroad to most recently serving students in WGU’s School of Education by placing them for their field experiences. She is passionate about using data and reporting to streamline processes and proactively problem solve with the ultimate end goal of ensuring students have the resources they need to achieve their dreams. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages from Northern Arizona University and enjoys traveling, gaming, and playing with her dog.
Alia Moore
Research Analyst
Alia began her career in archives and libraries before making the jump to the advancement field and prospect research team at the University of Arizona. This background instilled not only the importance of education, but the necessity of equitable access to resources, which translates quite naturally from a library context to the mission of WGU. She received her master’s degree in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona and her bachelor’s degree in Art from Linfield University. Alia lives in her home town of Bend, OR. She has a lot of unusual hobbies including, cosplay, roller derby, and podcasting.
Gina Abbey
Regional Director, Southeast
Gina Abbey serves as a Director of Advancement at WGU Advancement. Her career began in the United States Air Force as a Meteorologist. After serving, Gina spent 14 years as a leader in direct sales before moving into nonprofit development. She most recently served as Development Manager at Bridge of Hope Greater Denver and continues to give back as Chairperson of its Board of Directors.
Outside of work, Gina enjoys serving with the women’s ministry at her church, staying active through fitness, traveling, and sharing new adventures with her family.
R. Lee Streby
Grants Manager
Lee Streby is an advancement professional with 16 years of experience in fundraising and grants administration in higher education. Prior to WGU, Lee worked for IU South Bend, where he established the first grants office at a regional campus and led the planning process for the campus’ involvement in the first statewide IU Bicentennial Campaign. Lee is a classically trained musician with a BA in Music from Columbus State University (GA), and MA in Performing Arts Administration from NYU. Prior to his career in higher education, Lee served five years as president of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Director of Development and Marketing for RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, GA. Lee was a co-founding trustee of an arts incubator organization in South Bend, and served three years as chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Bend Youth Symphony, and is owner of a very small boutique classical record label, Afinat Records. Lee lives in Florida with his partner and their four cats.
Julie Cunningham
Director, Grants Administration
Julie is an accomplished leader in research administration with over 25 years of experience in grants and contracts management. As the former Senior Director of Sponsored Programs Administration at the University of Denver, she played a key role in increasing the university’s research volume to become an R1 research institution. Julie is known for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and deep commitment to supporting research excellence. Her expertise spans financial analysis, compliance, policy development, and organizational transformation. She is a trusted steward of institutional resources and is passionate about student success. Julie brings humor, clarity, and care to her work, creating strong partnerships across academic, administrative, and funding communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from Regis University. In her spare time, Julie loves spending time with her family, watching her youngest daughter play volleyball, basketball and golf, walking her dog Abby, biking and playing tennis.
Astar Herndon
Regional Director, Midwest
Astar Herndon is a seasoned nonprofit leader, fundraising strategist, and community advocate with nearly two decades of experience driving mission-focused impact across the Midwest. Since her undergraduate years, she has championed grassroots organizational development, leading efforts in corporate partnerships, government relations, and donor engagement. Her expertise spans strategic fundraising, campaign management, and nonprofit operations, all rooted in a deep commitment to equity, abundance, and unity. She holds a B.S. in Policy Studies from Chatham University and an M.S. from DePaul University. Her career reflects a passion for building sustainable funding models and empowering communities through inclusive and transformative philanthropy.
Megan Yuly
Data Specialist
Megan has about 4 years of experience in nonprofits providing direct service to customers as well as providing detailed reports on trends in the community. Megan has a passion for using data to solve problems and answer questions that will assist companies in providing better service to their community. Megan has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from University of Washington and plans to pursue a master's degree in Data Analytics later this year. She also enjoys yoga, hiking, and crafting.
Justin Parnell
Director, Advancement Services
Justin Parnell has more than a decade of experience in higher education philanthropy and is an expert in the area of advancement services. Justin's strong record of leadership and innovation in this space is informed both by hands-on experience with every area of advancement work, as well as extensive technical and applied knowledge of statistical analysis, database systems, prospect intelligence, and project management.
This subject matter expertise supports his passion for developing systematic, strategy-informed, evidence-based systems and processes that enable organizations to sustain and scale successful fundraising programs.
In his current role, Justin leads a multifunctional team that conducts prospect management, prospect research, stewardship, reporting, and CRM development work in support of a new, nationwide advancement program. He recently led a comprehensive wealth, affinity, and data integrity assessment of more than 400,000 WGU alumni.
Amy Nelson
Regional Director, Central
Amy is based in Indiana and leads regional WGU Advancement efforts in the Central Region. She brings more than two decades of leading advancement teams and driving transformational growth in mission-driven organizations. Most recently serving as Vice President of Advancement at Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, she led a $15M annual fundraising plan, engaged five advisory boards, and inspired a team of 22 fundraisers to grant wishes to thousands of children across three states. Known as a servant leader, she excels in cultivating high-performing teams, developing strategic partnerships, and building deep relationships with donors and community leaders. Amy loves spending time with her family, cooking, traveling and attending concerts with her husband.
Julia Katz
Regional Director, Northwest
Based in the Seattle area, Julia has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and higher education sectors. She is passionate about leveraging the power of philanthropy to empower individuals and uplift communities. Prior to WGU she served in various fundraising roles at Seattle Colleges, Seattle Girls School, and United Way of King County. She holds a Master’s in Performing Arts Management from University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s degree in Music and English Literature from Emory University. Outside of work, Julia enjoys singing in choir, cooking, riding her bike, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
