Alumni Engagement Board

The Alumni Engagement Board advises the university on inspiring lifelong engagement for every St. Thomas alum. 

the alumni engagement board poses for a group photo on the steps in Anderson student center

The Alumni Engagement Board is a non-governing board comprised of St. Thomas alumni. The members of the Alumni Engagement Board represent the university's alumni, colleges and schools and its members come from a variety of professional backgrounds and class years.

The Alumni Engagement Board advises the university on inspiring lifelong engagement for every St. Thomas alum. Its mission is to:

  • Spark connections to the university, students and other alumni
  • Be the voice of the alumni community
  • Contribute to the university and alumni priorities

Our Vision Statement

The Alumni Engagement Board inspires Tommie alumni to contribute their time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony in support of the University of St. Thomas mission – strengthening alumni spirit, broadening participation and building a lifelong culture of engagement and philanthropy.

Champion the Five T’s of Philanthropy

Champion the Five T’s of Philanthropy
  1. Time – Attend and actively participate in quarterly board meetings and committee/task force work.

  2. Talent – Offer your professional expertise or lived experience to enhance programs and initiatives.

  3. Treasure – Make an annual gift at a personally meaningful level to support campaign priorities, especially scholarships.

  4. Ties – Help identify and connect fellow alumni to the university and campaign opportunities.

  5. Testimony – Share your St. Thomas story to inspire alumni engagement through speaking, writing and social media.
Lead By Example
  • Serve as a visible ambassador and advocate for St. Thomas and the comprehensive campaign.

  • Engage underrepresented and under engaged alumni by extending personal invitations and sharing opportunities.

  • Stay informed about university priorities and the board’s role in achieving them.
Embrace Accountability
  • Respond to communications, contribute to discussions and uphold board commitments.

  • Participate in self-assessment and goal-setting as part of ongoing board development.

Each member shall serve a three-year term.

Past board members may apply to return to the board three or more years after a previous term.

Nominate a Board Member

Do you know someone who would be a great alumni leader? Nominate them — or yourself — to join the Alumni Engagement Board by completing the brief form below.

Submit a Nomination

Alumni Engagement Board Members

Headshot of Michaela Kronlage ’04

Michaela Kronlage ’04

President

Degree: BA – Business Communication 
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Brad Von Bank

Brad von Bank ’95

Past President

Degree: BA – International Business, Marketing and German 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Katie Aronson

Katie Aronson '02

Degree: BA – Biology
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Phil Bastro

Phil Bastron ’09

VP, Alumni Engagement Task Force

Degree: BA – Economics 
 
Location: North Carolina 

Headshot of Ben Bauleke '17

Ben Bauleke '17

Degree: BA –  Business Administration, Marketing Management
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Heidi Bergland

Heidi Bergland ’92

VP, St. Thomas Connect and Beyond Task Force

Degree: BA – Accounting 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Janine Braman

Janine Braman ’86, ’93 MA

Degrees: BA – Education; MA – Psychology 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Michael Connell

Michael Connell ’10

Degrees: BA – Economics; BS – Accounting 
 
Location: Orange County, CA

Headshot of Brian Cruikshank

Brian Cruikshank ’90

Degree: BA – Marketing Management 
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Toni Dandrea

Toni Dandrea '11

Degree: BA – Business Administration, Marketing Management
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Mesum Haider

Mesum Haider ’22

Degrees: AA – DFC Graduate in 2019; BA – Operations Management 
 
Location: Fargo, North Dakota

Headshot of Fr. Bob Hart

Fr. Bob Hart '70, '00 MDiv

Degrees: BA - Quantitative Methods & Computer Science; MDiv - Divinity (Seminarians)
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Maria Holm

Maria Holm ’03, ’12 MBA, ’23 EdD

Degrees: BA; MBA; EdD 
 
Location: Chicago, IL 

Headshot of Evan Hughes

Evan Hughes ’04

Degree: BA – Business Marketing 
 
Location: Milwaukee, WI

Headshot of Michael P. Kelly

Michael P. Kelly '87

Degree: BA – Business Administration, Accounting
 
Location: San Diego, CA

Headshot of Barry Lau

Barry Lau ’93

VP, Membership/Recruitment

Degree: BA – Computer Science, Quantitative Methods 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Chris Leising

Chris Leising ’92, ’00 MBA

Degree: BA – Accounting; MBA 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Nancy Lewer

Nancy Lewer ’10

Degree: BA 
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Eric Martin

Eric Martin ’19

Degree: BA/BS – Entrepreneurship 
 
Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Brad McDermott

Brad McDermott ’94

Degree: BA – English 
 
Location: Chicago, IL

Headshot of Maureen Michels

Maureen Michels ’22

Degree: BA – Real Estate 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Sade Ologunde

Sade Ologunde ’22

Degree: BA – Accounting 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Cesar Osvaldo Mendez Portillo

Cesar Osvaldo Mendez Portillo ’23

Degree: BA – Marketing 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Evan Schwartz

Evan Schwartz ’09

Degree: BA 
 
Location: Kansas City

Headshot of Matthew Sullivan

Matthew Sullivan ’12

Degree: BA – Financial Management 
 
Location: Twin Cities 

Headshot of Eshan Varma

Eshan Varma ’19

Degree: BA 
 
Location: New York 

Headshot of Alan Wahlert

Alan Wahlert ’94

Degree: BA – International Studies, History 

Location: Chicago, IL 

Headshot of Michael P. Warner

Michael P. Warner '10

Degree: BA – Business Administration, Entrepreneurship

Location: Twin Cities

Headshot of Peter Watson

Peter Watson ’18

Degree: BA – Financial Management 
 
Location: Washington DC