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Senior Assistant Dean achieves institutional fundraising milestones

A portrait of Mindy Danovaro in front of a background of blurred greenery

Senior Assistant Dean Mindy Danovaro has directed and overseen the Office of Advancement at McGeorge School of Law for the past six years. Photo by Ashley Golledge. 

describes herself as a relationship fundraiser. As the senior assistant dean for advancement at the 黑料不打烊 McGeorge School of Law, Danovaro has excelled at cultivating donors through interpersonal relationships and establishing long-term relationships with law school constituencies.

鈥淎ttorneys change the world. They influence society and advocate for clients in every sector. Lawyers don鈥檛 just do trials. They do so, so much more,鈥 Danovaro said. 鈥淚 treat my role as an opportunity to make a difference in the world through legal education and the legal profession.鈥

Danovaro has written numerous proposals and grant applications and raised more than $40 million for the institution. Danovaro develops fundraising strategies; strategically solicits gifts from current and new donors; and oversees all fundraising activities, alumni relations, and events for the law school.

鈥淢cGeorge has the most dynamic, thoughtful, and hardworking alumni network,鈥 Danovaro said. 鈥淚 really care about our alumni. The alumni and students are why I do what I do.鈥

During the past six years, Danovaro has helped secure funding for scholarship opportunities, endowments, professorships and chairs, faculty research, academic programs, and experiential learning. She is especially proud of her work with the school鈥檚 legal clinics, which deliver pro bono representation to underserved community members and provide experiential learning opportunities to students.

鈥淚 have met some of the most amazing humans on the planet through this role. McGeorge鈥檚 alumni and donors inspire me to make both McGeorge and the world a better place,鈥 Danovaro said.

Danovaro directs and oversees the at McGeorge. She works with Casandra Fernandez, Director of Alumni Relations and Events; Sally Pereira, Director of Development Operations; and Dianna Martinez, Alumni Relations and Development Coordinator, to engage alumni and secure charitable support for the law school.

鈥淓very single person at McGeorge makes a difference when it comes to fundraising,鈥 Danovaro said.

Danovaro and her team work strategically to match alumni and donors with their passions.

鈥淲e put proposals together that align donors鈥 passions with the needs of the law school,鈥 she said.

Danovaro also plays an important role in bringing the Dean's vision for McGeorge's future into reality.

鈥淚t has been incredible to work with . He is such an asset to this institution and such a great partner for the Office of Advancement,鈥 Danovaro said. 鈥淚 really feel like I have his support. It's nice to work with a boss that understands the process and is willing to take calculated risks.鈥

Danovaro said the COVID-19 pandemic altered the way her department interacts and connects with alumni and donors.

鈥淶oom has really changed how we interface and interact,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e've been able to reach a much wider alumni base and engage our alumni across the globe virtually during the past year and a half.鈥

Despite new challenges, Danovaro鈥檚 unwavering commitment to the law school was instrumental in achieving multiple institutional fundraising milestones in 2021 -

鈥淢indy Danovaro is as good at her job as a human could be. I have learned so much from working with her, and I am so grateful for the seamlessness of our partnership,鈥 Schwartz said.

Danovaro is actively involved with , a network of more than 10,000 professional women who work together to propel women鈥檚 leadership forward.

鈥淢indy is the kind of leader we need; her deep integrity and commitment to justice combined with her bold actions make her a force for great change and impact,鈥 said Julie Castro Abrams, the CEO and Chair of How Women Lead.

Prior to her role at McGeorge, Danovaro was the executive director at the for 11 years. During her tenure, she helped raise over $15 million for the foundation. Previously, Danovaro worked in healthcare as a program director for an air ambulance company.

Danovaro has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in graphic communications from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master鈥檚 degree in communication arts from the New York Institute of Technology. She is also currently an EdD candidate in leadership and innovation at the 黑料不打烊 Benerd College.

To learn more about giving to McGeorge, visit .