The External Relations Operations teams

The External Relations Operations teams coordinate and manage the operational needs of the External Relations organization. They include Business Technology Services, Facilities, Finance, and Human Resources.

These teams collaborate to provide operational oversight for External Relations, an organization with over fifty departments that fall under five distinct units:  the Office of Development (OOD), University Communications (UComm), Government Affairs (OGA), Community Engagement (OCE), and the GUP Project Team.

Business Technology Services

Under the guidance of Kathy Pappas-Kassaras, who serves as the Chief Information Officer, Business Technology Services (BTS) empowers External Relations and Stanford Alumni Association staff to foster stronger constituent engagement. This is achieved through strategic technology leadership, effective solution delivery, and continuous technical assistance. Collaborating closely with University IT, BTS ensures ongoing support, maintenance, and improvements to vital enterprise systems.

Visit https://bts.stanford.edu/ and for service and support:  https://stanford.service-now.com/alumni_donor_services

Facilities and Services 

Led by Matt Williams, Director of Facilities for the Stanford Alumni Association and External Relations, the Alumni Center Facilities and Services team provides operational and facilities support to SAA & External Relations. The team manages everything from signage to furnishings, emergency preparedness, space renovations, security and access as well as the fleet of carts and vehicles on the main and the Redwood City campus locations.  The team is now also managing the On-Site Roles Management system and they provide mail and guest services support at the Alumni Center. If you need assistance in any of these areas, they can be reached via ServiceNow.

The team also manages the event space at the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center. See the center’s events page for any questions or to reserve space.

Finance

Led by Daphna Davidson, Associate Vice President, the finance team serves as stewards of External Relations resources. Partnering closely with managers and their staff, the team helps ensure that funds are used responsibly and that External Relations departments have the resources they need to be effective. The finance team also helps departments adhere to University and External Relations policies and guidelines by providing support and oversight for the many staff who process financial transactions.

The Finance team’s aim is to build a solid financial foundation on which External Relations staff can pursue excellence while maintaining a high degree of cost efficiency with respect to the University’s limited unrestricted resources.

In addition to budget management, the finance team supports gift reporting, campaign tracking, data analysis, and gift and related reporting for the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees. This team has oversight of most of the University’s gift-matching programs.

Each member of the finance team is an expert in operational budget management and gift analysis. The team is equally proficient in CARD and Oracle-based tools such as Business Intelligence (BI).

Human Resources

Led by Andrea Moore, Chief Human Resources Officer, the External Relations Human Resources team provides strategic HR guidance and consultation for staff, managers, and leaders.

Areas of focus include talent management, coaching, team development, workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, organizational design, employee engagement, change management, and compensation, rewards, and recognition programs.  Our HR team also partners with University Human Resources and other units across the campus to share ideas and best practices, streamline processes, and collaborate on initiatives.  The HR team, partnering with all External Relations employees, provides opportunities for staff to collaborate and connect, both virtually and in-person.