New people and positions in College Relations

Mount Holyoke College has announced two appointments to new positions in the Department of College Relations. Elyssa Kelly is the assistant vice president, campaigns and planning, and Lauren Grabowski is the director of discovery. 

Kelly is an accomplished leader in development and alum relations, with a career focused on strategic fundraising and large-scale engagement initiatives. As the assistant vice president of development at the Connecticut Children’s Foundation, she led the divisional fundraising strategy for several medical departments. Before that, Kelly worked as the director of development for women and family philanthropy at the University of Connecticut, where she raised nearly $25 million for strategic priorities and increased family giving by 40% annually. Her tenure at the University of Connecticut included senior roles in alum relations, where she designed and implemented annual alum engagement programs. She has also managed federal client relations and digital strategy at Hager Sharp in Washington, D.C., and co-led operations for a $12 million national grant initiative at Achieving the Dream. 

“It feels very empowering to be a part of this community,” Kelly said. “It’s such a deeply exciting time to be joining Mount Holyoke College; this institution has one of the most loyal donor communities I’ve ever encountered. I’m ready to help shape how philanthropy will secure the next 50 years of an institution that’s always been on the leading edge of change.” 

As director of discovery, Grabowski will focus on establishing and building relationships with potential donors who haven't yet been actively involved with Mount Holyoke College, especially alums who graduated in the past 25 years. She will build a thoughtful, relationship-centered outreach program to encourage recent alums to reengage with the College community. Through these renewed connections, she aims to help individuals find meaningful ways to support Mount Holyoke, including, when the time is right, making a philanthropic gift that aligns with their interests and values.

Grabowski is an accomplished fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience specializing in annual and major giving. As a senior director at CCS Fundraising, she provided development leadership and campaign management for clients. Previously, Grabowski served as the director of leadership giving and annual initiatives at the University of Connecticut, raising $2.1 million in new commitments and successfully launching a reimagined parent and family giving program that achieved a 40% annual increase in parent giving dollars. Her University of Connecticut program development successes also include securing a 32% increase in faculty and staff donors in one fiscal year.

“Joining this vital and vibrant college at this moment in time is remarkable,” Grabowski said. “Mount Holyoke’s alums and supporters are energetic, determined and ready to make positive change. I look forward to working with them to ensure the future of Mount Holyoke and that the next generation can challenge conventions and make connections.”