The Development team serves both the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Cindy Briggs Tobin
Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations
As the senior director, Cindy develops and leads the team’s outreach and fundraising strategies and tactics, working closely with the dean, other academic leaders, and volunteer leadership. Cindy partners with capital and major gift donors to find ways to match their philanthropic goals with Friedman School priorities.
Cindy joined the Tufts Advancement Division in 2000 after previous service at Boston-area nonprofits. She has served in different capacities for the Friedman School Development and Alumni Relations Office, for example, was named director of development in 2007 and promoted to senior director in 2010. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and has an MS in Public Relations from Boston University. Cindy and her husband live outside of Boston. She is an avid football fan and, in her free time, also enjoys reading and traveling.
Heather Leet
Director of Development
Heather oversees the department’s alumni relations and annual giving programs and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects. She schedules meetings to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward these individuals, with the goal of increasing donor engagement and support. She also manages the Tufts Nutrition Council, a volunteer group comprised of individuals from academia, the private sector and non-profit sector.
Director of Annual Giving
Currently Hiring | Job Description
Nancy Mehegan
Senior Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
Nancy joined Tufts in August 2014 and currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Prior to Tufts, Nancy served as executive director and editor of a small magazine, and earlier in her career worked as a newspaper reporter. She is always looking for good story ideas to share with Tufts friends and alumni so if you have one give her a call! She lives in Winchester with her husband, Dana (a proud Jumbo), son and daughter.
Courtney Ready
Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
Courtney joined the Friedman School/HNRCA in March of 2022. Her function is to oversee all aspects of the alumni relations program while working closely with the Director of Annual Giving to develop annual strategies and implement plans for engaging this population. Prior to joining Tufts, Courtney worked in special events for Zoo New England for 15 years. She oversaw all of the public family-friendly events to drive attendance to Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo and the 21+ fundraising/marketing events. Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, going to shows, and traveling.
Courtney Ready +1 (617) 636-3548
Jean Shildneck
Administrative Coordinator
Jean joined the Friedman School/HNRCA in December 2021. Her prior work has focused on helping organizations such as Kennedy’s Country Gardens, Historic Boston Incorporated, and the American National Standards Institute with communications, project management, training, budgeting and finance, and IT support. She is also an active volunteer who serves on the steering committee of a DEIJ organization in her town, on the leadership team of an organic community food pantry garden, and in several roles at her church. Jean is a proud Jumbo with a BA in International Relations and French.
Ambria Jones
Administrative Assistant
Ambria joined the Friedman School as the Administrative Assistant of Development and Alumni Engagement in January 2022. Prior to Tufts, Ambria worked at M.I.T. on the Housing and Residential Services, assigning and assisting graduate students into on-campus housing and welcoming them to the M.I.T community. Ambria completed her B.S. in Environmental Biology at the University of Dayton in 2018. In her free time, Ambria enjoys collecting good reads and listening to podcasts.