About Us

Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy

The Office of Foundation Relations & Corporate Philanthropy advances UC Berkeley’s public mission of teaching, learning, research and social justice as a trusted partner in collaborative, strategic fundraising, by working closely both with campus and foundation partners.

Meet the Team

Sylvia Bierhuis Sylvia Bierhuis, Executive Director

Sylvia is an energetic team-player and strong supporter of public higher education, with over 10 years of progressive C&F fundraising experience at Berkeley. She has worked extensively with faculty, deans, senior leadership and others to build effective fundraising strategies that work to the benefit of the university, the larger community, and Berkeley's organizational partners.

Sylvia currently manages the central Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy team, which is housed within University Development and Alumni Relations. Previously, she worked in Corporate Relations for the College of Engineering at Berkeley. Sylvia has a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia and a MPA from Cal State East Bay. 

Sylvia serves as a liaison to the following campus units:

  • Principal Gifts-Strategic Initiatives (UDAR)
  • Vice Chancellor for Research Office (VCRO)
  • School of Public Health (SPH)
  • Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS)
  • Haas School of Business
  • Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS)
  • Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI)

Email - sbierhuis@berkeley.edu

David Siegfried David M. Siegfried, Director

David's work involves the development of large campus-wide interdisciplinary proposals. He also manages a portfolio of foundations focused on education, equity and social justice issues. Prior to joining FRCP in 2010 as the Sr. Research Analyst, David worked as a public high school teacher and community educator. He is a proud graduate of Bard College.

David serves as liaison to the following campus units:

  • School of Social Welfare
  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Student Affairs
  • Greater Good Science Center
  • L&S - Social Sciences
  • Undergraduate Education
  • Graduate School of Education
  • Graduate Division
  • BAMPFA
  • Cal Performances
  • Social Science Focused Organized Research Units (ORUs)

Email - dsiegfried@berkeley.edu

Aaron Diaz, Director

Aaron maintains a portfolio of STEM-focused foundations and serves as liaison to the following colleges, schools, divisions and departments:

  • L&S - Math and Physical Sciences
  • L&S - Biological Sciences
  • College of Chemistry
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Natural Resources
  • School of Optometry
  • CITRIS and the Banatao Institute
  • Othering & Belonging Institute
  • STEM Focused ORUs
  • Any research units or programs affiliated with the above

Email - aaron.diaz@berkeley.edu

Margaret Guerrero Margaret Guerrero, Director

Margaret's work includes the development of large, complex proposals and the management of a portfolio of foundations focused on public policy, urban and regional issues, international development, and the arts and humanities. Prior to joining the FRCP team, Margaret was the Director of Foundation Relations for Rice University. Margaret has a B.S. in Communication Studies and a MPA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Margaret serves as liaison to the following campus units:

  • School of Journalism
  • Berkeley's School of Law
  • Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC)
  • School of Information (I School)
  • College of Environmental Design
  • Goldman School of Public Policy
  • Arts & Humanities division
  • Humanities ORUs 
  • Regional and Area Studies ORUs
  • Business and Law ORUs
  • Berkeley Library

Email - mguerrero@berkeley.edu

Nell Payne Nell Payne,  Assistant Director of Stewardship & Data 

Nell works to ensure donors’ gifts and grants are allocated, tracked and reported on correctly and in a timely manner. She assists FRCP and campus colleagues with proposals and works to ensure their corporate and foundation fundraising work is reflected in the development database (CADS.) Nell also works with UDAR AIM staff to ensure organization record integrity in CADS.

Prior to Berkeley, Nell worked at a small liberal arts college in the Pacific Northwest.

Email - npayne@berkeley.edu

Jillian Parlee Jillian Parlee, Assistant Director of  Communications 

Jillian currently serves as the FRCP digital communications specialist, collaborating with units across campus to explore funding opportunities, maintaining the FRCP web presence, and ensuring that partnership opportunities are in alignment with the University’s values and mission of teaching, research, and public service. 

Email - jillianp@berkeley.edu

Susie Ward Susie Ward, Prospect Research Analyst

Susie currently serves as FRCP's researcher and prospect development liaison, collaborating with units across campus to explore funding and partnership opportunities, helping with strategy development and assisting with portfolio management. 

Email - sward@berkeley.edu

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR)

The FRCP team is a division of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR); which increases support for and enhances knowledge of UC Berkeley through communications, public outreach, and fundraising. The department is responsible for centralized fundraising and donor engagement, and works to strengthen unit development offices by consulting and partnering with campus fundraisers. University Development and Alumni Relations also handles a range of central activities and services encompassing events, communications, stewardship, prospect development, gift management, database management, and more.

UC Berkeley Foundation (UCBF)

University Development and Alumni Relations encompasses the UC Berkeley Foundation (UCBF), a California nonprofit public benefit corporation established to secure support for the University. The UCBF is also Cal's primary vehicle for enlisting fundraising volunteers from the private sector. The UCBF is staffed by University Development and Alumni Relations leadership.