Director

Brenda Nester

(540) 568-5010

nesterbb@jmu.edu

Biography

Brenda has served as the director of Advancement Gifts and Records at JMU since 2005. Brenda has been with JMU for 24 years and within Advancement Gifts and Records since 1988. Her previous positions have included Interim Assistant Director, Business Manager, and Gift Processor.

Brenda recently served on the Advance Project Team implementing the Advance system. Brenda will now focus on business processes needed for Advance. Activities of Advancement Gifts and Records includes processing and receipting all gifts to the JMU Foundation, maintaining current and accurate records within the constituent database of all alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations.

When she is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband at their mountain cabin, beach vacations, reading and shopping. Brenda is a cat lover and has three very spoiled cats as ‘family.’

Assistant Director

Cassie Henry

(540) 568-2822

henry2cl@jmu.edu

Biography

Cassie has been the assistant director of Advancement Gifts and Records since November of 2007. Cassie has been with JMU and University Advancement since 1996. Her previous positions include the Assistant to the Senior Vice President for 7 years and an Administrative Assistant to Development.

Cassie oversees the day-to-day operation of all biographic and demographic entry, gift processing, matching gift program, gift receipting, daily deposits, and reporting of all gift activity. Cassie’s responsibilities include processing major and leadership gifts, the reviewing of endowment agreements, and creation of new endowment fund codes.

Cassie also manages, plans, and executes policies to ensure accuracy of the University Advancement database as well as supervising all staff within Advancement Gifts and Records.

Cassie completed a BS in Financial and Technology Management in May 2009. When not at work, Cassie enjoys spending time with her family.

Matching Gift Manager

Vacant

(540) 568-2853

@jmu.edu

Biography

Gift/Biographical Database Specialist

Sarah Seaman

(540) 568-2821

seamansa@jmu.edu

Biography

Gift/Biographical Database Specialist

Sheena Braxton

(540) 568-7076

braxtosd@jmu.edu

Biography

Sheena graduated from JMU in 2006 with a degree in Psychology and Media Arts & Design. Having worked at JMU in the Office of Admissions since 2008, Sheena joined Gifts and Records in April 2010. Her position includes gift processing and maintaining biographical and demographical data in the University Advancement database.

Away from the office Sheena loves to dance and spend time with family and friends.

Administrative Assistant/Gift Processor

Penny Bradley

(540) 568-8053

bradlepl@jmu.edu

Biography

Penny began employment as the Administrative Assistant/Database Specialist of Advancement Gifts and Records in April of 2010.

Her role involves providing Administrative support for the Director and Assistant Director of Advancement Gifts and Records and serving as backup support for the Associate Vice President of Advancement Information Services. Penny manages the office budget, orders supplies, makes travel arrangements, and maintains the monthly gifts and records workflow. She also processes gifts and maintains database records of alumni, parents, friends and corporations as well as being involved in various data cleanup projects. She is responsible for the oversight and compilation of gift receipting for the JMU Foundation.

Penny just completed her Associates Degree in Business Administration Management from National College in May of 2010 and plans to pursue her Bachelors Degree from James Madison University in the near future. When not at work, Penny enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and family which includes their very spoiled cat, Bronson. She also enjoys reading, shopping, and gardening.