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Welcome to Columbia Mailman School of Public Health Development and Alumni Relations
At Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, our Development and Alumni Relations Team is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, engaged community of alumni, donors, and friends. We support the School’s mission by strengthening connections, advancing philanthropy, and creating opportunities for alumni to stay involved.
Through impactful events, meaningful mentorship, and strategic fundraising initiatives, we help ensure that Columbia Mailman continues to lead in public health education, research, and innovation. Whether you're looking to reconnect, give back, or explore new ways to engage, our team is here to guide and support you.
Join us in shaping the future of public health!
Development and Alumni Relations Team
Laura Sobel, MBA
- Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations
- ls3875@cumc.columbia.edu ls3875@cumc.columbia.edu
Laura Sobel, serves as Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations and oversees the management of the Columbia Mailman Board of Advisors. Ms. Sobel has held several executive leadership roles within educational, international development, community foundations, and healthcare non-profit organizations. Prior to arriving at Columbia, Ms. Sobel was Vice President for Principal and Major Gifts at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard teaching hospital, for seventeen years growing fundraising from $8M to $85M annually. Ms. Sobel has also held leadership positions at the Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, Facing History and Ourselves, an international teacher training organization, and CARE, an international relief organization. Ms. Sobel spent her childhood in NYC. Ms. Sobel graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Economics and received her MBA from Northeastern University.
Caitlin Bristow, JD
- Assistant Dean for External and Board Relations
- cb3732@cumc.columbia.edu cb3732@cumc.columbia.edu
Caitlin Bristow, JD comes to Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health from Campbell & Company, a national fundraising consulting firm that works with clients to plan for and execute fundraising campaigns, build major gifts programs, and craft compelling fundraising communications. Caitlin began at Campbell & Company in 2014 as an associate consultant and quickly became a leader at the firm—at the end of her eightyear tenure, Caitlin was a vice president in the fundraising practice. As a consultant, Caitlin partnered with education clients across the country to lead campaigns ranging from $10 million to $750 million. She has experience working with nonprofit leaders to secure 7- and 8- figure gifts and enjoys working closely with volunteer leaders to achieve fundraising goals. Caitlin served as Columbia Mailman’s campaign consultant for ten months before joining the team full-time as the assistant dean for development.
Allyson Velez, MPP
- Assistant Dean for Operations and Institutional Giving
- amr151@cumc.columbia.edu amr151@cumc.columbia.edu
Allyson Velez is Assistant Dean for Operations and Institutional Giving, serving as the critical connector between the team’s internal and external fundraising functions and key advisor on corporate and foundation donors and prospects. Before joining Columbia Mailman in 2022, Ms. Velez was with the Guttmacher Institute in various roles for more than 15 years, most recently as Director of Institutional Giving, overseeing a period of major growth in the organization’s funding from foundations, foreign governments and multilateral agencies. Ms. Velez has also held positions at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Office of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, EMILY’s List and the Institute for Democracy Studies. She earned a BA in public policy studies from Duke University and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University. A native New Yorker, Ms. Velez currently lives in Manhattan with her husband, two children and their pittie Pluto and is a proud Columbia Engineering parent (‘28SEAS).
Mary Fiore, MS
- Senior Director, Constituent Engagement & Events
- mf2865@cumc.columbia.edu mf2865@cumc.columbia.edu
Mary Fiore is an innovative and creative engagement specialist with three decades of experience in fundraising, strategic programming, engagement events, and project management. Mary’s entire career has been centered in the nonprofit sector where she has raised funds for renowned NYC and international nonprofits, such as The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Covenant House, the Princess Grace Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Help USA, Innocence Project, Cooperation Ireland, and more. Mary has a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University, and joined Columbia Mailman School of Public Health in 2012 after leading Mary Fiore & Co.
Katie Mayfield, MA
- Senior Director of Development
- km4024@cumc.columbia.edu km4024@cumc.columbia.edu
Katie Mayfield is the Senior Director of Development at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where she leads the individual major gift development efforts, reporting directly to the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. With extensive experience in academic fundraising, donor relations, and strategic leadership, Katie is committed to advancing public health initiatives through impactful philanthropy.
Before joining Columbia Mailman, Katie served for five years as Director of Development at Rutgers Health, where she led fundraising efforts for both the School of Public Health and the School of Health Professions. In close collaboration with the Deans, Katie significantly enhanced support for scholarships, health equity initiatives, and transformative research through major and principal gifts. In recognition of her impactful leadership and success, Katie was promoted to Senior Director shortly before she joined Columbia Mailman.
Katie’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in Anthropology and PhD candidacy from Rutgers University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Women’s Studies from the University of Georgia. In her early career, Katie spent five years in international development, working across Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan where she gained valuable global experience that informs her work today.
Catherine Block, MLIS
- Director of Information Management and Prospect Research
- cb3475@cumc.columbia.edu cb3475@cumc.columbia.edu
Catherine Block joined the Columbia Mailman Office of Development and Alumni Relations in 2018. She currently serves as the Director of Information Management and Prospect Research. Prior to joining Columbia Mailman, Catherine served for six years as Assistant Director of Prospect Research at Harvard University’s Office of Development. Catherine has also held positions in offices of development at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital, Boston. Catherine earned her BA in Sociology and Art History from Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges, in Geneva, NY, and holds a MLIS from Simmons University.
Sebastian Deken, MFA
- Director of Development Communications
- sjd2141@cumc.columbia.edu sjd2141@cumc.columbia.edu
Sebastian Deken ’16SOA, has served as director of development communications at Columbia Mailman since 2023. He previously spent five and a half years as the associate editorial director in the Development Division of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, five years in board relations and special projects in the Department of External Relations and Development at Columbia Business School, and two years supporting education and outreach programs at COCA, a community arts center in St. Louis.
Sebastian earned his BA in music and French language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis, and he holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University School of the Arts. He is the author of Final Fantasy VI (2021, Boss Fight Books), a ludomusicological study of the 1994 video game of the same name. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he now proudly lives in Queens, New York, with his husband Brett and his cats Gene Parmesan and Deloris Van Cartier.
Ellen Flax
- Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
- ef2816@cumc.columbia.edu ef2816@cumc.columbia.edu
Ellen Flax serves as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. She comes to Mailman after working as a consultant to both grantmaking organizations and as well as to nonprofit groups seeking fundraising support. For a select group of projects, she worked in concert with the team at Amplify Partners, where she served as a partner. Ellen’s experience includes serving as the Director of The Hadassah Foundation, the largest Jewish women’s foundation in the United States; serving as a senior consultant to the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation; and working as a program officer for a large family foundation. Before entering the nonprofit world, she was a journalist, and worked for Education Week and the Associated Press. She earned her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied History and Economics. Ellen is also a rabbi, ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She has served congregations in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Virginia, and currently provides pastoral services at several elder-care facilities.
David Huggins, MSW
- Major Gifts Officer
- dh3229@cumc.columbia.edu dh3229@cumc.columbia.edu
David Huggins is a Major Gifts Officer at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where he cultivates relationships with donors and secures major gifts to advance the school's mission of improving global health. He has been with Columbia since April 2024.
David is a seasoned development professional with over 14 years of experience in frontline fundraising. He began his career in higher education with positions at New York University and Yeshiva University. He then joined Pace University's College of Health Professions as a Major Gift Officer, where he focused on securing scholarships and legacy gifts from nursing and physician assistant alumni.
Transitioning to the nonprofit sector, David served as the Director of Development at Public Health Solutions. He spearheaded fundraising efforts, raising over a million dollars in unrestricted funds for its gala and organizing successful events. He then brought his expertise to the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood as the Manager of Grants and Institutional Giving. In this role, he managed a substantial grant portfolio and secured critical funding, including a $1 million U.S. Department of Labor award to establish a workforce development center. David holds a Master of Social Work and an undergraduate degree from Yeshiva University. He believes that genuine relationships and attentive listening are the keys to successful fundraising. In his free time, he enjoys reading Louise Penny novels and gardening.
Yasmin M Ibrahim
- External Relations Coordinator
- yi2227@cumc.columbia.edu yi2227@cumc.columbia.edu
Yasmin Ibrahim serves as the External Relation Coordinator and is responsible for some externally-facing projects and programs on behalf of the School, such as working with the communications director on the quarterly Alumni Newsletter and the bi-weekly News and Events Digest. Yasmin is also the point person for alumni events and logistics, and recently took on managing the Calderone City Health Award, which is a smaller prize awarded by the Calderone endowment and supports grassroots, NYC nonprofits in one of the 5 boroughs doing public health work. With Yasmin’s interest in the field, she has built up the first-ever database comprised of NYC-wide agencies, borough president offices, community board, and more to ensure the widest reach possible to invite worthy candidates to apply for this $15,000 award.
A returning New York City native, Yasmin is a recent grad from Rutgers University- New Brunswick. Yasmin’s interest in public health started when she joined her local EMT squad during the COVID-19 pandemic. She serves her community by returning to her local mosque in the Bronx to help community members navigate community resource and health care assistance programs. She joined Columbia University in 2022, and more recently joined the Columbia Mailman team in April 2024.
Seble Lemma
- Senior Associate Director of Donor Relations
- sl5542@cumc.columbia.edu sl5542@cumc.columbia.edu
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Jaylin Monroe
- Development Associate
- jsm2279@cumc.columbia.edu jsm2279@cumc.columbia.edu
Jaylin Monroe currently serves as Development Associate at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, where she conducts corporate and foundation prospect research and oversees operations such as gift processing.
Her career began as a temporary Administrative Coordinator at Columbia Climate School, where she developed a solid foundation in development work. Jaylin earned her BA in Sociology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, deepening her understanding of social determinants of health and the impact of societal structures on well-being.
While in college, Jaylin volunteered at a nursing and rehabilitation center, assisting elderly residents with daily activities and organizing events to enhance their quality of life. This experience fueled her passion for public health and shaped her commitment to improving community health outcomes.
A lifelong New Jersey resident, Jaylin enjoys hiking, painting, and traveling. Her enduring interest in public health drives her dedication to advancing global health through her work at Columbia.
Breanna Patterson, MPA
- Major Gift Officer
- bp2615@cumc.columbia.edu bp2615@cumc.columbia.edu
Breanna Patterson ’24 SIPA has served as a major gift officer at Columbia Mailman since 2022. Before this role, she spent three years at Columbia Business School working in both corporate relations and individual giving. At CBS, she also managed the David and Lyn Silfen Distinguished Leadership Series hosting speakers such as Reed Hastings, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Netflix, and Ajay Banga, Former President and CEO of Mastercard. Before Columbia, Breanna worked in the legal sector and with various non-profit organizations.
Breanna earned an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and received a Bachelors of Arts in English from the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Breanna is originally from Greenwich, CT. She enjoys reading, writing, painting, and traveling.
Emily Skilton
- Donor Relations Assistant
- es4371@cumc.columbia.edu es4371@cumc.columbia.edu
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Katie Weiser, MPH
- Director of Alumni Relations
- km3920@cumc.columbia.edu km3920@cumc.columbia.edu
Katie Weiser serves as the the Director of Alumni Relations and lead engagement efforts and strengthen connections between Mailman School of Public Health and its alumni community. Katie is responsible for developing and implementing programs that foster lifelong relationships, enhance alumni participation, and support institutional goals. Additionally, will oversee communications, events, and volunteer initiatives, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for alumni involvement.
Before moving from Atlanta to NYC to work at Columbia Mailman in 2023, Katie worked for over 10 years in public health, first as a CDC communications contractor and then leading Community Benefit at Grady Health System. Katie received her MPH from the University of Georgia.
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