The CSU Foundation staff is here to serve you, and to serve the University.
You are welcome to contact any one of us directly using the email address listed in our staff bios.
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Executive Team
As a board developer and leader, Cherí has helped highly sophisticated boards continue to grow and evolve; and worked with boards that have plateaued, helping them re-ignite, accelerate and change. She’s also advanced board diversity, and developed strategic plans, board assessments, retreats, committee structures and nominating practices.
Cherí spent 17 years at Indiana University in admissions, alumni relations, international recruiting and advancement. For the past 12 years, she’s worked from the C-suite, first as CEO of the 200,000-member Alpha Chi Omega women’s fraternity, foundation and housing corporation; then as CEO of the Ball State University Foundation (her alma mater).
Since 2018, Cherí has been CEO of the CSU Foundation, working closely with the Foundation board to provide prudent financial oversight that delivers long-term, sustainable support for CSU. As a member of the university president’s leadership team, she’s also a key partner and resource to the University.
Cherí serves on the Association of Governing Boards’ Council of Presidents and Council of Foundation Leaders, and she recently spearheaded and launched the Mountain West/Central Plains Consortium of University Foundations. She is a frequent panelist and author in her field.
Allen helps drive strategic innovation and process improvement. He collaborates with the foundation’s investment advisory firm and board investment and audit committees; and he works closely with the staff to ensure strong operational and fiscal policies and procedures.
Over a 20-year career, Allen has amassed a diverse background of education and experience, including degrees in electrical engineering and finance and working as a software engineer, project manager, investment analyst and accountant, operations manager and director of investments. As a result, Allen brings a unique perspective and depth to his leadership at the CSU Foundation.
Since joining the Foundation team in 2018, Sara’s responsibilities have expanded to include serving as the Foundation’s AGB certified board professional, as well as overseeing communications. Sara approaches her work with positivity and curiosity, with an aim to support the achievement of the Foundation’s strategic goals.
Working with CSU’s Advancement leadership and CSU’s Office of General Counsel, deans, directors and other university stakeholders, she also represents the CSU Foundation as a trusted and conscientious steward of the philanthropic support that benefits CSU now and for generations to come.
Among other responsibilities, Mpoli represents the CSU Foundation’s interests with strict adherence to donor confidentiality and intent and provides legal counsel on matters such as nonprofit and corporate governance, contract law, trust and estate administration, human resources, regulatory and compliance law, constitutional law and public policy concerns. She also facilitates and ensures the legal acceptance and administration of various types of gifts benefiting CSU and helps support the CSU Foundation’s board of directors and the board’s working committees.
After graduating first in her class from law school, Mpoli served as a senior law clerk/staff attorney with the Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, and finally as an appellate court law clerk with Illinois’ First District Appellate Court in Chicago.
Later, before joining the University of Wisconsin Foundation, she spent six years as assistant attorney general for the State of Wisconsin, in the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Civil Litigation Unit in Madison. Before that, she was a litigation associate with the Madison law firm of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. (now Husch Blackwell, LLP), and a litigation associate with the Chicago law firm of Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP.
Accounting Team
A CPA who earned her Masters of Accountancy with an emphasis in tax, Terilyn leads the accounting team, ensuring system oversight and accurate and timely financial reports and tax returns. Prior to joining the CSU Foundation, she worked for a CPA firm gaining experience with and affinity for nonprofit organizations. Terilyn gives back to her community by serving as treasurer for her homeowners’ association board. She also has volunteered as a tutor in ESL and financial literacy.
Marie joined the CSU Foundation after having worked as a CPA firm where her focus was largely auditing not-for-profit organizations. As assistant controller, Marie is responsible for a variety of areas including investment accounting, external reporting, processes surrounding endowment activity and reporting, month-end close and assisting campus partners with their financial needs. Additionally, Marie serves as liaison with both the foundation’s outsourced chief investment officer and custodial bank.
Kurt’s background includes serving as an accountant for a construction company and a 32-year career as an accountant for Christian Publishing. He is responsible for fund reporting, accounts-payable processing, bank reconciliations, pledge activity and transfer requests. Kurt is the past president of the Loveland Photographic Society and currently serves as that group’s vice president.
Working on behalf of the CSU Foundation for 31 years, Rilla began her career as an accounting assistant and has worn many hats through the years. In her current position as the team’s expert in foundation data and its relationship to – and integration with – CSU systems, she is instrumental in ensuring that the foundation’s data systems work seamlessly in service to our campus partners.
Laura’s professional experience includes working in the public school system as an administrative assistant and her tenure as an account manager with a company that gave her opportunities for worldwide travel. She came to the CSU Foundation when she realized her heart was called to something more: service and making a difference. Laura is in charge of processing scholarships and entering and supporting new and revised funds. She has been instrumental in enhancing the scholarship support administration process for CSU students.
As an accounting specialist, Rachel manages monthly investment valuations, oversees daily contribution journal entries, and supports PowerBI reporting efforts. She also assists with accounts payable processing.
A proud Colorado native, Rachel earned both a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in accounting and a master’s of accountancy from Colorado State University. Her passion for giving back to her alma mater drives her commitment to serving CSU’s students and community.
Executive Administration Team
Kacee has had the honor of serving our community through careers at the City of Fort Collins and Front Range Community College, as well as coordinating local nonprofit events. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from CSU and is thrilled to return to the green and gold professionally. Her duties include assisting the president and CEO, Cherí O’Neill, and supporting the board of directors. She is honored to serve as an ambassador for the CSU Foundation across the CSU campus and beyond.
Human Resources Team
Prior to Sondra’s extensive career at the CSU Foundation, she worked in banking, buying and selling millions of dollars in federal funds on a daily basis. Her responsibilities as the foundation’s HR manager include managing payroll, serving as liaison with various benefits vendors and conducting the onboarding process for new employees. Sondra supports the performance-appraisal process and facilitates staff education and retreats.
Gift Administration Team
Keely is a Loveland, Colorado native who enjoys her role at the CSU Foundation because it provides the opportunity to see students achieve their dreams. In support of that mission, Keely plays a critical role in crafting gift and fund documentation that drives impact to CSU and its students while protecting donor intent. She facilitates gift administration, including fund creation and closing, agreement and amendment drafting, and the development of efficient systems for agreement administration.
Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in writing and experience in media production, marketing coordination and communications. She plays a key role in ensuring impactful and compliant gift and fund documentation that is aligned with donor intent. Her primary responsibilities for the CSU Foundation include fund creation and closing, agreement and amendment drafting, and creating best practices and resources for campus partners. Sara is excited and honored to be a part of the foundation and its service-focused mission.
Operations Team
Sarah joined the CSU Foundation in 2024 after working for CSU’s Constituent & Gift Information Team for almost eight years. Her professional experience in higher education spans supervising, training, teaching and various administrative roles within Student Affairs and University Advancement. She graduated with an M.S. in education from Nazareth College and a B.A. in history from SUNY Fredonia.
Sarah leads, manages and supports the foundation’s operations team, overseeing day-to-day operations while driving efficiency, productivity, collaboration and positivity. Sarah acts as a liaison between the foundation and University Advancement, supporting donors, campus partners and the CSU community.
Syreeta graduated with a B.A. in English literature from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. She worked as a public relations and marketing assistant for the Office of Professional Development at Cuesta College and as an admissions advisor for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Syreeta contributes over 10 years of banking and financial experience acquired by working for not-for-profit credit unions that serve the needs of local communities. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating the gift capture of cash, checks, credit cards, recurring pledges, securities, ACHS and wires. She provides support to staff, donors and campus partners.
Tina is a CSU alumnus, graduating with a B.S. in health and exercise sciences with a concentration in health promotion. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the fitness industry but wanted to pursue a career path at the CSU Foundation – exploring new learning opportunities and giving back to the University. Tina’s primary responsibilities at the foundation include gift capture, donor outreach, communication between affiliated departments and general administrative duties.
Jordan is an operations coordinator at the CSU Foundation, where he handles incoming donations. He also serves as a campus resource for inquiries regarding gift capture, receipting, and resolution.
Originally from Toronto, Jordan relocated to Colorado at a young age and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Metropolitan State University Denver in 2016. With over six years of experience as an analyst in insurance and employee benefits, Jordan brings a strong analytical approach to his role, contributing to the foundation’s mission of supporting CSU and the Fort Collins community.
Alecia is an operations coordinator at the CSU Foundation where she handles incoming donations. She also serves as a campus resource for inquiries regarding gift capture, receipting, and resolution. Alecia joined the foundation team in 2024, bringing 12 years of administrative experience to her role.
A Colorado native, Alecia earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Front Range Community College. Her strong administrative background and dedication to CSU drive her commitment to supporting the university’s mission.
Technology & Information Systems Team
Dipen has applied his expertise to the CSU Foundation for well over a decade. He manages information infrastructure (both hardware and software), collaborates with University Advancement IT on special projects and partners with CSU Academic Computing & Network Services on IT-related policies regarding data security for implementation at the foundation.
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