Staff
Office of Advancement
The advancement team staff is available to assist you in whatever ways you wish to support Oglethorpe University. If you are unsure of whom to connect with, contact us, and we will be happy to direct you to the appropriate person.
Note: All mailed gifts and correspondence should be addressed to Oglethorpe University, Office of Advancement, 4484 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.
Vice President of Advancement
Sarah Emerson
Vice President of Advancement
[email protected]
Sarah Emerson is the Vice President of Advancement at Oglethorpe University. She most recently served as Executive Director for Foundation Relations at Georgia State University where she has managed a portfolio of principal-gift level foundations and presidential relationships, serving as the lead fundraiser on more than $25M in philanthropic gifts since 2022. She previously held the Assistant Vice President for Advancement, Corporate & Foundation Relations position at Georgia State after three years at the Georgia Institute of Technology as Director of Foundation Relations and five years at the University of Georgia as Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. She is active in the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers.
Development
The development team members support donors who are interested in making a major gift or pledge to the university or a specific department or program, planning for estate gifts, or establishing an endowed scholarship or named fund.
Bob Preston
Director of Development
[email protected]
(404) 364-8328
Bob Preston has served in fundraising leadership positions in educational, healthcare and non-profit organizations. His experience includes capital campaigns with major, annual and planned components. His most recent position was with Georgia College and State University where he served as the Senior Major Gift Officer for the College of Arts and Sciences. A Georgia native, he graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia, and holds a B.B.A. degree in economics from Mercer University. Professionally, he is affiliated with Council Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC), and Georgia Planned Giving Council (GPGC).
In his free time, Bob enjoys swimming, cycling and yoga. His interests span film, religion, history, cosmology, politics, economics, philosophy, and social justice.
Bryan Hirt
Senior Associate Director of Development
[email protected]
(404) 364 – 8532
Bryan Hirt joined the Oglethorpe University Office of Advancement staff as Senior Associate Director of Development in July 2023. Bryan comes to Brookhaven having served in intercollegiate athletic fundraising roles for the past four years. His most recent position was within the global sales division of Legends – a premium experiences company – at their Georgia Tech property, serving as Associate Director of Annual Giving and Ticketing. His primary focus was to fundraise for the Alexander-Tharpe Fund, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association’s fundraising arm for all facilities, endowments, and current operations. Bryan made his way onto The Flats of Georgia Tech after spending two and a half years at Mercer University and the Mercer Athletic Foundation (MAF). A Long Island, New York, native, Bryan graduated from Marian University–Indianapolis with a bachelor’s degree in 2017, where he was a scholarship student-athlete and captain on the MU bowling team. He later earned his master’s in sport administration from the University of Louisville in 2019.
Bryan and his fiancé, Brittany, live off the Marietta Square with their teacup dachshund, Lyla.
John Daniel Tilford
Curator of Collections and Development Associate
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
[email protected]
(404) 364-8552
A native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, John completed his bachelor’s degree in art history at the University of Memphis while interning at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. He obtained his master’s degree in the history of art at Balliol College at the University of Oxford. He was awarded a fellowship at the University of the South in 2006 before being appointed Curator of Special Collections in 2011. He began his appointment at Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in Atlanta in 2013 and was promoted to Curator of Collections in 2015. During his tenure at OUMA the museum’s permanent collection has grown by more than 600%. His research interests focus on underserved voices and unspoken narratives. Notable exhibitions include Hattie Saussy: Rediscovery of an Artist (2017) and Mattie Lou O’Kelley: The Long Journey to Success (2022). He also serves as supervisor of the museum’s inaugural visual artist-in-residence program as well as being an Adjunct Professor of Museum Studies.
Engagement and Stewardship
Kate Bobb, JD
Senior Director of Engagement
[email protected], (404) 504-1020
Kate is the Senior Director of Engagement at Oglethorpe University. Kate is an attorney with a background in non-profit management. She worked for over 10 years at an Atlanta-based non-profit providing services to victims of gender-based violence. Kate received a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications and History from Elon University and a Juris Doctorate from Elon University School of Law. She is a member of the Georgia and North Carolina State Bar Associations. In her spare time, Kate enjoys traveling, exploring the Atlanta restaurant scene and spending time with her family.
Autumn Johnson ’20, M.Ed.
Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
[email protected]
Autumn graduated from Oglethorpe University in May of 2020 with a degree in psychology and minors in sociology and politics. Post graduation, Autumn worked in the Office of Admission serving as a university recruiter and Assistant Director of Admission Events and Communications. In 2024, she joined the Office of Advancement as the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Autumn is committed to the longevity of her alma mater and looks forward to continuing her ambassadorship for Oglethorpe within this role. Autumn received her Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Mercer University and is actively pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Practice from the University of North Georgia.
Alumni Engagement and Giving
The alumni engagement team members can assist with questions related to the Alumni Association, alumni events and reunions, senior class giving, mail and email solicitations, or volunteering.
Kathryn Ethridge Henderson ’17
Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Giving
[email protected]
(404) 364-8439
Kathryn graduated from Oglethorpe with a degree in communication and rhetoric studies and a minor in nonprofit management. After graduation, Kathryn remained actively involved with Oglethorpe and served on the Young Alumni Committee as a volunteer. In 2019, she returned to Oglethorpe as a member of the Advancement Office staff. Previously, Kathryn served as the Major Gifts Officer at the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and Database Manager for Families First. She is an active member of the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals serving on their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee and the National Philanthropy Day Committee.
Kathryn and her husband, Nathan, live on the Westside of Atlanta with their son Marshall and dog Huck. As an Atlanta native, Kathryn enjoys taking advantage of all the local social and cultural entertainment Atlanta offers, particularly the incredible restaurants and breweries. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Kerry Ayres-Smith
Associate Director of Annual Giving and Digital Engagement
[email protected]
Kerry graduated from Agnes Scott College in 2014 with a degree in history, and has held numerous positions in nonprofits including event management, database management and annual fund fundraising. In addition to her work experience, her professional development includes a Raiser’s Edge certification, and prior participation as a Diversity Fellow with the Atlanta Association of Fundraising Professionals. Kerry is passionate about helping others and has invested her time in the community through several initiatives, including Lekotek of Georgia. An Atlanta native, Kerry enjoys spending time with her husband and their 2-year-old French bulldog, baking and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
Alyssa Merletti ’23
Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
[email protected]
Alyssa Merletti graduated from Oglethorpe in May of 2023 with a degree in communications and a double minor in studio art and film and media studies. Post graduation, she served as the community development coordinator for the National Society of High School Scholars. In 2024, she returned to Oglethorpe as the assistant director of alumni engagement. As a former member of various affinity groups on campus, including Oglethorpe athletics and Panhellenic Greek life, she wants to ensure that the unique Oglethorpe life that each student experiences is supported. In her free time, Alyssa continues her tennis career through ALTA and USTA teams. She enjoys reading, video games, and exploring the city.
Advancement Operations
The advancement operations team can assist donors with giving history, matching gifts, stock or wire transfers, credit card gifts, pledge reminders, tribute gifts, tax receipts, or updates to university records related to deaths or changes of address. They also manage prospect research and data tracking.
Saurav Bhandary
Manager, Advancement Operations
[email protected]
Saurav joined Oglethorpe University as the Development Services Specialist in May 2019. He is a Nepali citizen and was born and raised in Meghauli, Nepal. Saurav is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (USA) with a degree in Economics, and he currently holds the designation of Blackbaud Certified in Raiser’s Edge (bCRE-Pro). He has previously worked at Birmingham-Southern College, the UNA-USA Greater Birmingham Chapter and most recently at Atlanta International School. He is actively involved in the local nonprofit community and serves on the Board committee for SABHA, Inc. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time volunteering, hiking, playing soccer and traveling.
Emily Yeh
Data Entry Specialist
[email protected]
Emily graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Computer Science and a concentration in Graphics & Human-Computer Interaction. She previously worked as an administrative assistant at the Career Advancement Center at Georgia State University, where she discovered her passion not only for helping students, but also for exploring data for insights and creating data visualizations. In November 2022, she joined Oglethorpe University as the Data Entry Specialist. Outside of work, she enjoys learning Spanish, dancing and playing piano.