USFSM Names New Associate Director of Development

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook has named Clara Reynardus de Villanueva as Associate Director of Development. Villanueva begins her duties July 22.

In her new role at USFSM, Villanueva will join the USF Sarasota-Manatee Advancement team to expand relationships within the community in support of the university’s fundraising efforts. Most recently, she served as development liaison with Sarasota-based CAN Community Health, where she worked closely with existing and potential donors to develop fundraising partnerships.

Prior that that, she worked in sales and client-facing service roles in the Sarasota business community after relocating to the area from Massachusetts five years ago. She previously served for nine years as a product marketing manager for MCI WorldCom in Boca Raton.

“Clara will be a wonderful addition to our Advancement team,” Dr. Holbrook said. “She brings valuable experience from her previous work with donors and non-profits in the communities we serve, and she is excited about the opportunity to help USFSM continue to grow and thrive.”

In addition to her professional experience, Villanueva has served in a leadership capacity in a variety of community volunteerism roles. She currently is a member of the USFSM Women in STEM Leadership Committee, a co-captain for the Child Protection Center 40-Year Initiative and a member of the Cuban Art Alliance, Inc., of Longboat Key.

She served as past co-chair of the Child Protection Center “Blue Ties and Butterflies Gala,” and also held volunteer roles with Visible Men Academy and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

“Clara is passionate about USFSM’s mission and the role we play in the community,” Regional Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Alumni Relations Lee Williams said. “She is an experienced relationship builder with strong connections to the Sarasota-Manatee region. She recognizes the remarkable potential of this university, and I am delighted to welcome her to the Advancement team.”

“USFSM serves an important role in the Sarasota-Manatee region by making a quality education available in our community,” Villanueva said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help students who might not have full financial access to an education achieve that dream and go on to become valuable members of the workforce here. I believe we can change the lives of thousands of students who walk through our doors by providing them with first-class facilities and resources. I can’t wait to get started.”

A fine artist and muralist whose family owns a large collection of Cuban art, Villanueva operated Light Noise Studio for 18 years, serving an elite nationwide client base.

Villanueva is a 1986 graduate of Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social relations. She lives in Sarasota with her husband, Roberto, and two rescue dogs.

For more information about USF Sarasota-Manatee, visit http://usfsm.edu/.