Development & Alumni Relations Staff

Robert E. Wright, T ’77, G ’86

Associate Dean of Development & Alumni Relations

Robert was recruited to establish the development office for the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy in February 2006, with principal responsibilities to secure the endowment and operating funds requisite to the Institute becoming a school. As the Associate Dean of Development & Alumni Relations, he continues to develop fundraising, alumni relations, and other programs and infrastructure related to institutional advancement that will ensure the school’s excellence and sustainability.  Working at Sanford is in many ways a return home for Robert, who began his career writing for Joel Fleishman and serving as Associate Director of Duke University’s $200 million Capital Campaign for the Arts & Sciences and Engineering (1986-91).

Until the fall of 2003, Robert was Vice President for Institutional Planning & Development at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park.  His responsibilities there comprised all institutional advancement activities, including strategic planning, board development, communications and external relations, fundraising, and information technology. 

Robert is an alumnus of Duke, having earned his A.B. in English (1977) and Ph.D. in English and medieval studies (1986).  He also holds a degree in historical linguistics from Indiana University (A.M. 1978). 

An active member of the Episcopal Church, Robert has held several volunteer leadership roles, including the Board of Trustees of The General Theological Seminary in New York City, the Board of Directors of the Association of Episcopal Colleges, and Treasurer of the Diocese of North Carolina.  Robert and his partner, Lee Thomas, make their home in Chapel Hill.

Phone Inquiries: (919) 613-7333      Email: robert.wright@duke.edu

James V. Gudaitis

Director of Advancement Services

Jim comes to Sanford most recently from the Fuqua School of Business where he was Director of Advancement Services for the ten years.  Jim serves as the principal staff liaison for the Associate Dean of Development & Alumni Relations.  He oversees and/or accomplishes all aspects of the development services function, including gift handling, stewardship & donor relations, communications, events, data management and supervises the support staff.  He takes the lead on special projects, helps manage the Board of Visitors, and directs the operations of the Sanford Development & Alumni Relations Office. 

Jim began his career in development at Duke University in 1983 and served as a development officer and prospect research coordinator during its $200 million Capital Campaign. From 1986 to 1999, Jim was the Director of Advancement Services at Davidson College where he oversaw biographical records, gift records, donor relations, prospect research, and development data analysis and reporting. Jim returned to Duke in 1999 and held a similar position with Duke’s Medical Center’s Development and Alumni Affairs office before he began work at Fuqua.

Although not a Duke alumnus himself, Jim’s wife Christy is a double Dukie (T’81 L’86) and a public policy major. Several relatives are alumni and his son Peter (T’13) and a niece are current students. Jim received a graduate degree in Urban Studies from Temple University (M.A. 1980) and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Florida State University (B.S. 1973).

Jim is an active member at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and has been involved in the church’s stewardship, faith formation, and environmental stewardship activities. Christy and he make their home in northwest Durham where they daily hike the Eno River State Park trails with their dogs. When weather and daylight permit, you’ll find him commuting work by bike.

Phone Inquiries: (919) 613-7353      Email: gudaitis@duke.edu

Michael B. Reinke

Director of Development

Michael’s focus is on cultivating and securing major, leadership, and principal gifts for Sanford, especially as it pertains to the school’s participation in the new University-wide campaign, Duke Forward: Partnering for the Future.

Michael comes to us most recently from the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Washington, where he was responsible for raising $9 million for a new cancer center. Previously, he served as the Director of Development for the College of Education at Western Washington University, and has held several executive positions for nonprofit agencies providing direct service and advocacy for low income individuals and families in Indiana and in New York City.

Michael graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government (Political Science) and African-American Studies, and earned a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and a Master of Business Administration from Western Washington University. He enjoys long-distance biking, playing guitar and banjo, and is proficient in conversational Spanish.

Phone Inquiries: (919) 613-7318      Email: michael.reinke@duke.edu

Timothy M. Young, G ’06

Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations

As Assistant Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Tim is responsible for alumni relations and prospect management functions including identifying new prospective donors and stewarding alumni, parents, and friends of the School of Public Policy.  He shepherds current students through their class gift efforts in support of the Sanford Annual Fund, manages the school’s reunion events, and works closely with the Associate Dean and Directors to match donor interests with the School’s needs as part of a coordinated effort to implement the school’s fundraising initiatives.

A native North Carolinian, Tim is also a Duke alumnus, having earned an M.A. in Liberal Studies with a Health Policy certificate from Sanford in 2006.  He earned a B.A. in History and Government from Campbell University, where he is a member of the College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board.  He formerly served on Campbell’s Alumni Board of Directors and was a member of its Advancement Committee.  Tim holds an M.A. in International Studies and Political Science from North Carolina State University, where he volunteers with the Alumni Association Mentoring Program.  Prior to joining Sanford, Tim worked in prospect research and constituency development at Peace College and Duke's central development office.

Tim serves as a Disciplinary Advisor with Duke’s Office of Student Conduct and an Academic Pre-Major Advisor with Duke's undergraduate Academic Advising Center, and he is an active member of the NC Triangle Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  He is an avid runner, participating and half and full marathons throughout the year.

Phone Inquiries: 919.613.7390      Email: timothy.young@duke.edu