New Dean for College of Fine Arts

Andrew Schulz, a visionary leader in the arts and one of the foremost scholars on 18th- and 19th-century Spanish art, has been named as dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona. He will join the UA on Aug. 1. 

“Dr. Schulz is looking to set an international stage for the arts at the University of Arizona,” said Jeffrey Goldberg, the UA’s acting provost. “He has a contagious passion for setting a strategic vision and then positioning and promoting the arts. This vision, combined with his extensive knowledge of research, offers the right mix for furthering our arts programs.” 

“My aim as dean will be to ensure that the arts become signature elements of the University’s identity as we create transformative experiences for all UA students and find effective ways to serve and partner with broader communities,” Schulz said. “During the interview process, I was delighted to find that this ambitious vision was shared by everyone I encountered.” 

“We are so glad to welcome Dr. Schulz to the UA,” said UA President Robert C. Robbins, “and we all look forward to how his vision and leadership will build on our tradition of excellence in the fine arts, and inspire our students to create bold, innovative and world-class work that engages audiences across the nation and around the world.” 

Laurie McDonnell named designated broker at HomeSmart

HomeSmart, Phoenix’s No. 1 ranked residential real estate brokerage, has announced that it will have a new designated broker for the first time in 13 years. Laurie McDonnell assumed the responsibilities of designated broker at HomeSmart, which totals more than 6,500 agents in the greater Phoenix metro area, as of June 1, 2018. McDonnell takes over for Trudy Moore, HomeSmart’s highly regarded designated broker since May 2005, will continue on with the brokerage as a consulting broker and will still be actively involved with transaction review and agent support.

“I can’t express enough appreciation for what Trudy has done for our Phoenix brokerage and am excited to welcome Laurie into this critical role for our company,” said Matt Widdows, founder and CEO of HomeSmart. “I’m happy that this will give Trudy more time to travel and be with her family, but I am also glad that she’ll continue contributing to our business as a consulting broker.”

McDonnell joined HomeSmart after most recently serving as designated broker at United Brokers Group for almost five years. In addition to her previous experience in the designated broker role, McDonnell has spent more than seven years in leadership roles with the Southeast Valley Regional Association of REALTORS®(SEVRAR), the Arizona Association of REALTORS®(AAR) and the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS).

Mary O’Reilly named Flinn Foundation VP

Mary O’Reilly, Ph.D., a philanthropy executive with extensive industry and laboratory experience, has been named the new Vice President, Bioscience Research Programs at the Flinn Foundation, where she will help implement grantmaking programs and other activities designed to advance Arizona’s bioscience sector.

O’Reilly will succeed William A. Read, Ph.D., who is retiring after nearly 30 years with the Flinn Foundation. She begins on Aug. 13.

O’Reilly comes to the Phoenix-based, philanthropic grantmaking organization from Science Foundation Arizona, where she served as a senior executive. In her six years at SFAz, O’Reilly developed and managed a portfolio of research investments, worked across the academic, industry, government, and philanthropy sectors, and built out the Bisgrove Scholars Program, which supports post-doctoral and early-career faculty establishing research portfolios in Arizona.

In addition, O’Reilly brings experience in research and development and product commercialization. A native of Ireland who moved to the United States in 2002, O’Reilly also has worked for a Scottsdale-based renewable energy startup, a multinational electronics-manufacturing company in Ireland and Chicago, and as a scientist at Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland. She also has served as a reviewer for the Arizona Governor’s Annual Innovation Awards, mentor for Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch competitions, and technical advisor to the Arizona Commerce Authority.