Makela-Goodman named director of gift planning

Makela-Goodman

Rochelle Makela-Goodman

Photo by Kevin Birch for Development Communications

Rochelle Makela-Goodman, a fundraising professional with 19 years of development experience, has joined the Princeton University Office of Development as director of gift planning.

She manages a team that assists donors with life income and estate gifts to the University.

"Rochelle's broad and deep experience in fundraising, along with her management skills, made her an ideal candidate to lead Princeton's gift planning team," said Kerstin Larsen, assistant vice president for development. "We look forward to working with Rochelle as we build on this successful program."

A member of the development staff at Lehigh University since 1999, Makela-Goodman had most recently served as assistant vice president for advancement, leading the strategic direction and execution of a comprehensive campaign. She also served for five years as assistant vice president for leadership gifts, building the program in preparation for the campaign and significantly increasing giving to Lehigh.

As a capital fundraiser, Makela-Goodman employed a variety of gift strategies to maximize donors' giving to Lehigh for priorities as wide-ranging as research institutes in materials science and education leadership; undergraduate programs in environmental science, life science and global education; and building projects, including a new science facility and wrestling facility renovations. She was a key liaison between the development office and Lehigh leadership.

A graduate of Centenary College, Makela-Goodman began her career in development as Centenary's director of corporate and foundation relations in 1995. She moved to Lehigh to hold a similar position in 1999.

Makela-Goodman has made numerous presentations at conferences of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She has been a trustee of Centenary College since 2007 and serves on the board of the Hillel Society of Lehigh University.

Makela-Goodman succeeds longtime director Ronald Brown, who retired after leading Princeton's Office of Gift Planning for 16 years.