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Mark Hodde ’89 Returns as New Chief Advancement Officer

Mark Hodde, a UWC-USA alumnus from the class of 1989, has recently joined the school as Chief Advancement Officer. Mark will manage all aspects of our giving, alumni, and communications efforts as we work to fulfill the Davis Family Challenge Grant and build the foundation for a future capital campaign. The five-year grant from the family of Shelby M. C. Davis provides a match if the school is able to raise $2M in the Annual Fund.

UWC-USA President Victoria Mora is thrilled that Mark will share his considerable leadership and fundraising experience with the school that means so much to him.

“Mark impressed us with his data-driven approach to fundraising, his passion for UWC-USA and our mission, and his proactive thinking about how to take our advancement efforts to the next level.”

Mark has more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, marketing and communications with international humanitarian relief organizations in the United States and abroad.  He holds a master’s in public administration from the University of Southern California.

Mark counts the experiences he had as a student among the most formative in his life. “As a second-year student, I organized a project to Matamoros, Mexico to assist a single mother and her children rebuild a home that was damaged in Hurricane Gilbert,” he said.

Mark had to raise money to support travel for the international construction crew (pictured left) and supplies for the project. As it happened, Ray Hankamer, the father of Gabrielle (Hankamer) Welch ’90, was visiting campus and learned about the trip. He provided the students with a place to stay at a hotel he owned in Brownsville.

“As I look back, this experience helped shape my career path working for international humanitarian agencies, building partnerships, and raising funds for urgent causes. And, best of all, this year I’ll celebrate with Ildiko (Jekl) Hodde ’90, one of the participants in that project, as we mark our 25th wedding anniversary!”

Mark is eager to tackle the challenges he faces. “UWC-USA is a unique place in so many respects. It is an international school tucked away in the remote Southwest, and a school with a 37-year history that is still relatively unknown. The mission remains relevant, but we need to be more visible in expressing our values and inviting people to participate in the work of the school.”

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