And beyond self expression, she believes her creative background (with current hobbies including traditional charcoal painting) gives her the ability to “problem solve, think out of the box , see how people perceive things, and adapt to ever changing situations.”

Beatriz puts all these skills to work in her new role on the Annual Giving Team of Advancement’s Constituent Experience area. 

“My main mission,” she says, “is to create connections with prospective donors to the University and to help retain our most valuable existing donors, who provide funding for significant new programs and grants. I love working behind-the-scenes and I love the tangible impact my fundraising work can have. If a scholarship recipient can go to college, an individual can pursue their research, or an endowed professor got his job because of some of the work I’ve done with the great Advancement team here, that’s really fulfilling.”

Beatriz is also super happy to be doing this satisfying work at the university where she received her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration:

“I originally came to Stony Brook because it was close to home and had the course of study I was interested in. I stayed because of the culture and the people. Caring professors always supported me, even during difficult pandemic situations, and I wanted to give something back. This University does a really good job of taking care of its students and its graduates. It functions the way it says it does.” 

Overall, she says the job here “checked all my boxes and is everything I’ve wanted in a job, field and career. And it lies at the intersection of the meaningful work I’ve always wanted to do in the nonprofit sector and higher education field. I can actually make a difference here and I can see myself staying in this field.” She’s also excited to work with student volunteers and alumni on events and activities – from homecoming to a wide range of efforts that ‘spread the word of philanthropy.’

Mostly, she says, “I love what I do and I love doing it here.”