Meet the leadership

Natalee Ellars is senior executive director of Alumni Relations at UC San Diego, where she advances the university's strategic priorities by fostering meaningful connections between alumni and the institution. As a member of the Alumni Relations leadership team, she provides strategic leadership for alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, regional engagement, annual giving, development, marketing and digital communications.

Prior to joining UC San Diego, Natalee spent more than a decade with UCLA Alumni, serving in progressively senior leadership roles culminating as executive director. Throughout her career, she has built high-performing teams, led organizational transformation, leveraged constituent data to inform strategy, and developed innovative engagement initiatives that strengthen alumni participation and philanthropic support. Her leadership combines strategic vision, marketing expertise, financial acumen and a deep commitment to building inclusive communities. Natalee earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and organizational psychology from Claremont McKenna College and an MBA from UC San Diego Rady School of Management.

Anneke Garretson is the director of alumni engagement at UC San Diego, where she partners with colleagues across Advancement and the broader university on strategic initiatives that cultivate lifelong relationships with alumni and build pathways to volunteer leadership, advocacy and philanthropy. Prior to her current role, Anneke supported executive operations and governance for the UC San Diego Alumni Board of Directors and held alumni relations leadership roles at The Bishop’s School. A proud Triton alumna, she earned an MBA from the UC San Diego Rady School of Management in 2026 and a BA in journalism and public relations from Creighton University.

Lisa Kellogg manages a team responsible for UC San Diego alumni events, regional clubs, affinity groups, marketing, volunteer opportunities and the Illustrious Alumni Awards program. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Lisa served in leadership roles at two law schools and practiced law. Lisa has a BA in English from California State University, Fullerton, and a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law.

Lee Tacliad provides strategic leadership for alumni engagement initiatives that inspire lifelong connection, philanthropic support and meaningful partnership across UC San Diego's global alumni community. Her work spans strategic engagement and frontline development, advancing alumni philanthropy, strengthening partnerships, broadening alumni investment across the university and overseeing the Alumni Relations budget. With more than 10 years of experience in higher education, Lee has expertise in alumni relations, fundraising and career development. Prior to joining Alumni Relations, she served as an employer and alumni engagement manager at Scripps Research and as an associate director at the UC San Diego Career Center. Lee earned a BA in English from the College of William & Mary and a MEd in postsecondary administration and student affairs from the University of Southern California.

Sashi Whitman provides strategic leadership for alumni engagement initiatives that cultivate lifelong connections with UC San Diego through regional engagement, signature events, university partnerships and the activation of the Triton Alumni and Welcome Center as a premier hub for alumni connection and collaboration. She leads efforts to build intentional pathways that transition students into engaged GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) alumni. With a background in product management, market research, entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership, Sashi brings an innovative and collaborative approach to developing impactful alumni experiences. Prior to joining UC San Diego, she served as adjunct faculty for 12 years in business and marketing at institutions including UC San Diego’s Division of Extended Studies and Miramar College. Sashi earned her BA in psychology and sociology from UC San Diego and is a proud Warren College graduate. She earned her MBA from San Diego State University.