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.
Janine Seidel Director of Annual Giving
Updates coming soon...
Janine Seidel joined the Friedman School as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations in September 2016. In this role, she works with the Alumni Association Executive Council to foster alumni engagement around the world. Prior to Tufts, Janine worked at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, MA and MIT on the Alumni Relations team building community among alumni, students, and parents through a variety of outreach, events, and volunteer opportunities. Janine is a graduate of Emerson College and completed her EdM in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Boston University in 2015. In her free time Janine enjoys reading, running, and yoga.
Janine Seidel +1 (617) 636-6692
Nancy Mehegan Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
Nancy joined Tufts in August 2014 and currently serves as the 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.
Jessica Halladay Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Bio coming soon
Jessica Halladay +1 (617) 636-3548
Rachel Birkenthal Administrative Coordinator
As the Administrative Coordinator, Rachel supports the team in their full range of advancement initiatives. Rachel joined the team in January 2020 and previously worked at Empower Success Corps (ESC), a nonprofit focused on developing and implementing affordable capacity-building services for New England-area nonprofits, including pro-bono consulting and Encore Fellowships. She has also held roles at EF Education First and Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEM). Rachel graduated from Emerson College with a bachelor’s in Marketing Communications and a minor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Rachel Birkenthal +1 (617) 636-2940
Lillian Sutton Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon