Meet the leadership

Shara Freeman Hoefel is a dynamic leader and relationship builder who has led and supported multimillion- and multibillion-dollar fundraising campaigns in Boston, New York City and San Diego. Shara is a data-driven, results-oriented and highly-motivated strategic thinker who thrives in fast-paced organizations and collaborative environments. She is a culturally competent team and individual manager with expertise in maximizing performance, forging collaborative partnerships, and elevating the institution’s mission and vision.

As assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations at UC San Diego, she is responsible for working with alumni to dedicate and invest time, treasure and talent in the university's most critical and transformational opportunities and for advancing the Decade of Alumni initiative which aims to strengthen alumni ties and foster a lifelong connection between alumni and the university.

Prior to joining UC San Diego in 2025, she was assistant head of school for external relations at Francis Parker School in San Diego, CA, since 2013. Shara was responsible for advancement, alumni relations, development operations, communications and marketing and admissions; helped set the school’s strategy; and worked directly with the Board of Trustees. In her previous roles at Fordham Law School, Cornell University and The Chapin School, she specialized in building and expanding cultures of philanthropy, implementing strategic initiatives and achieving transformative results.

Shara serves as a trustee on the San Diego French American School board, is the vice cochair of the development committee of Cornell University's President's Council of Cornell Women and is an active member of the CASE District VII Cabinet and CASE U.S.-Canada Council. She has also served as a faculty member and chair of the CASE Independent School Advancement Institute. She received a BA in psychology from Cornell University and a MS in sport psychology from Ithaca College.

Natalee Ellars is the senior executive director, alumni relations at UC San Diego. She leads the alumni engagement team which includes universitywide alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, regional engagement, student engagement, alumni relations, alumni marketing and digital outreach. Prior to joining the UC San Diego team, Natalee served for more than 10 years at UCLA Alumni in leadership roles as senior director of events and business development, senior director marketing and membership and executive director. Natalee has a strong foundation in marketing and communications and is best known for her ability to lead through challenges with creativity and a positive attitude. Passion for data and reporting is a legacy of Natalee’s first career in financial services. That passion is equally matched with her genuine care for people and building community. Natalee is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College with a BA in history and organizational psychology and earned a Master of Business Administration from the UC San Diego Rady School of Management in 2026.

Renee Duci is the chief of staff and operations for alumni relations at UC San Diego, where she provides strategic leadership and ensures alignment with the university's mission. Reporting to the assistant vice chancellor, she oversees administrative operations, driving efficiency and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within a diverse team.

Before joining UC San Diego, Renee spent nearly a decade at the Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University Research Foundation. As training operations manager, she supervised a team of 17 staff, coordinated over 1,000 workforce development programs annually and played a key role in operational strategy, staff development and contract management. Her expertise in project management, process improvement and cross-functional collaboration has enabled her to successfully lead complex initiatives.

Renee holds an MBA from Assumption University and a BA in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Michael Bumbry manages a team of engagement officers providing support to the UC San Diego's academic units, graduate schools and colleges, with a focus on events, volunteer opportunities and annual giving. He has nearly 15 years of experience in higher education, including careers in both student affairs and advancement. Prior to coming to UC San Diego, Michael served as director of development at the Kogod School of Business at American University. He received his BA in broadcast communications from Elon University, his MEd in higher education administration from North Carolina State University and his PhD in higher education administration from Loyola University Chicago.

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.