Professional Graduate Degrees with an International Focus


INTERNATIONAL POLICY STUDIES


TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION


LANGUAGES & LANGUAGE TEACHING


INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS


RESEARCH CENTERS

Meet the Institutional Advancement Staff

Lisa Crawford Watson
Director of Institutional Advancement
Phone: 831-647-6606 | Email: lisa.crawfordwatson@miis.edu

Lisa Crawford Watson oversees Monterey Institute communication, fundraising, and donor services. She joined the Institute in 2007 and held a former role as the Director of Communications. A fifth-generation Northern Californian, Lisa is a professional writer who has published several books and thousands of feature articles and columns in local and national newspapers and magazines. Lisa wrote a weekly feature for The Monterey County Herald for nearly 15 years and taught writing and journalism at California State University Monterey Bay and at Monterey Peninsula College for almost 10 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociolinguistics from the University of California at Davis and a Master's degree in Education Administration from California State University, Sacramento. Please contact Lisa with questions about giving to the institute or with stories waiting to be told.

Beth McDermott
Senior Development Officer
Phone: 831-647-3509 | Email: beth.mcdermott@miis.edu

Beth McDermott provides key support in the Institute’s development areas such as annual giving, major gifts, and foundation and board relations. In Monterey on a one-year, onsite consultancy appointment from Middlebury College, Beth also will assist in the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Plan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Vermont and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Emerson College. Please contact Beth with questions regarding annual campaigns, fundraising, or the Monterey Institute - Middlebury affiliation.

Shirley Coly
Development Officer
Phone: 831-647-3595 | Email: shirley.coly@miis.edu

Shirley Coly oversees the Monterey Institute's philanthropy and development efforts by engaging the community to support the Institute's programs and initiatives. She works closely with Institutional Advancement staff to ensure goals are met. A former alumni director for MIIS, Shirley rejoined the Institute in 2007, and brings more than 10 years of international and cross-cultural experience. She has held previous roles as a senior technical advisor in the communication, management and training division of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C., and also as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. She holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Utah and a Master of Arts degree in Social and Public Policy from Georgetown University. Please contact Shirley with questions regarding the Institute's development strategies and philanthropy goals, and to find out how you can become part of our community of supporters.

Linae Ishii-Devine
Manager of Events and Advancement Services
Phone: 831-647-3502 | Email: linae.ishii-devine@miis.edu

Linae Ishii-Devine plans and implements institutional events across campus and manages development operations. Overseeing the Advancement Services Team, she provides quality and integrated donor services to our community members. She joined the Monterey Institute in 2001 after several years' experience within the hospitality industry. She earned her bachelor's degree in Public Administration at San Diego State University. Please contact Linae with questions about Institute events or advancement systems issues.

Susan Wolfe
Manager of Foundation and Corporate Relations
Phone: 831-647-3523 | Email: susan.wolfe@miis.edu

Susan Wolfe manages the Institute’s foundation and corporate relations, and is responsible for researching potential revenue sources, matching funding opportunities with the Institute’s strategic priorities, and grant writing. She rejoined the Institute 2007. Prior to working at the Institute, Susan held various positions in the non-profit sector, including Director of Government & Community Relations for Sesame Workshop in NY, Public Relations Officer for USAID in South Africa, Development Officer for AusAID in South Africa, Lobbyist for the National Conference of State Legislatures in Washington, DC, and Legislative Staff for the Connecticut State Senate. Susan is a graduate of Lafayette College with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Please contact Susan with grant opportunities for the Institute.

Tony O'Brian
Development Systems Analyst
Phone: 831-647-3525 | Email: tony.obrian@miis.edu

Tony O'Brian serves as the administrator of Institute constituent records, and manages use of the Banner integrated database. He also oversees the gifts processing system. A member of the Institute staff since 2006, he has experience in management and most recently helped to lead a systems overhaul at one of Hawaii's largest commercial property management firms. He received his bachelor's degree in International Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University. Please contact Tony about ways to give, including transferring stock, making a phone or online gift, or to make a new pledge.

Erin Morita
Stewardship Officer
Phone: 831-647-6647| Email: erin.morita@miis.edu

Erin Morita manages relationships with the Institutes named donors and stewards exceptional fundraising activities year round. After a 14-year tenure in the Advancement Office, she rejoined the Institute in 2007. In her previous role at the Institute she performed a broad range of development and communications duties, and is already acquainted with many Institute donors and friends. Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and Linguistics from Evergreen College in Washington and earned her Master’s degree in International Policy Studies from MIIS. Please contact Erin with questions about named gifts, the Legacy Society, and Founder’s Circle.

Simi Rush
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 831-647-3516 | Email: simi.rush@miis.edu

Simi Rush serves as the Institute’s intermediary for campus-wide communication efforts within the Institutional Advancement office. Joining the Institute in 2007, she brought experience in educational administration in both the public and private sectors, and recently served as program manager for a well-known charter management organization in Southern California. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of California at San Diego. Please contact Simi to access expert faculty commentary, or with questions about Institute publications and new media ideas.

Dollie Pope
Advancement Coordinator
Phone: 831-647-3545 | Email: dollie.pope@miis.edu

Dollie Pope manages the office and provides administrative support to all units within the Institutional Advancement office, including the Development and Advancement Services teams. A member of the Institute staff since 2001, she has more than 20 years' experience in administrative and office procedures in non-profit and government environments. Please contact Dollie with questions or for general assistance.

Click these links to explore areas of vital support:

Annual Fund
Major Gifts
The Gift of Education
Gift Planning


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