Corporate and Foundation Relations

About Us

The Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) team at Metropolitan State University of Denver aids members of the MSU Denver community build relationships with corporate and foundation entities to secure support for scholarships and programming. In contrast to groups like the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs (OSRP) and the Classroom to Career (C2) Hub, which focus on research funding and professional development, respectively, CFR’s focus is on philanthropic relationships. The CFR team’s work is holistic in approach, collaborating with campus partners in all stages of the grants process, from concept development to post-award, all while engaging corporate and foundation partners in transformative, mission-driven philanthropy.

Meet Our Staff

Zacary Tardiff | Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
303-605-7742 | [email protected]

Zacary J. Tardiff joined the MSU Denver Advancement Team in January 2022 as Director of Development, Corporate Relations and was elevated to Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations in September 2023. In his role, he assists the University’s administrative and academic leadership to identify, research, and secure funding from private grant-making organizations and he builds opportunities for innovative, mutually beneficial relationships with corporate partners. In doing so, he helps design and implement fundraising strategies across campus and creates positive partnership and investment experiences between MSU Denver and corporations and foundations.

Zacary hails from New Jersey and was a first-generation college student, graduating from West Virginia University with an undergraduate degree in Sport Management (2008) and Master of Business Administration (2011). He brings over 13 years of higher education and nonprofit experience to serve the Roadrunner community.

Zacary relocated to Colorado in 2016 with his wife and they love raising their children here. In his free time Zacary is an avid golfer and amateur chef.

 

Joshua Harris | Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager
303-605-7768 | [email protected]

Joshua Harris joined the MSU Denver Advancement Team in January 2022 as the Donor Relations Coordinator and is honored to now serve as the CFR Manager in Corporate and Foundation Relations.

In his role, Joshua manages a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects as well as focuses on key administrative support, acting as a liaison between CFR and campus partners. Joshua also manages the post-award process and is proactively working towards greater communication with campus partners regarding funding opportunities and grant reporting requirements.

Joshua is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he earned a B.A. in Musical Theater Performance and a B.A. in Acting and Directing.

 

Mandy Malachowski | Director of Development, Foundation Relations
[email protected]

Mandy Malachowski joined the MSU Denver Advancement Team in December 2020 as Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and was promoted to Director of Development, Foundation Relations in 2021. In this role, she builds meaningful relationships with foundation partners to support both the University’s and the community’s mutual goals. She supports the team through grant-writing and proposal development, prospecting, pipeline development, and closing meaningful gifts.

Originally from New England, Mandy is passionate about education and supporting students in innovative and creative ways. She received her undergraduate degree from Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts and her Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Denver. She has leveraged her social science background to become an avid problem solver and relationship-builder. She brings over 8 years of experience in the non-profit and corporate sectors.

When she isn’t going to school or fundraising, you can find Mandy reading a good novel, going to see live music, skiing blue cruisers, or rock climbing.

 

Tori Meyers | Interim Director of Grants
303-605-3651 | [email protected]

Tori Meyers joined MSU Denver as Interim Director of Grants in February 2018. In this role, she works with staff and faculty to identify grant opportunities; conducting research; and developing grant proposals for submission to foundations, corporations and other funding entities.

Tori brings 15+ years of public and private grant writing experience to MSU Denver across many types of non-profits and has served in volunteer capacities on community boards over the years.

She loves to spend time with her family and get out to bike, hike and ski when she isn’t working on grants.

 

Ally Veneris | Director of Development, Corporate Relations
Phone TBD | [email protected]

Ally Veneris joined the MSU Denver Advancement Team in November 2023 as Director of Development, Corporate Relations but has been at MSU Denver since 2021. In her role, Ally works with campus stakeholders and corporate partners to build meaningful relationships and create opportunities for holistic corporate engagement on campus. Her previous experience working on the Industry Partnerships team in the MSU Denver Classroom to Career Hub gives her a strong understanding of workforce development needs in Colorado and how MSU Denver plays an important role in meeting those needs.

Originally from Colorado Springs, Ally received her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and English from the University of Denver. After starting her career in higher education in Boston, Ally moved to New York City, working in both higher education, city government, and ultimately earning a Master’s degree in Urban Policy from The New School. She is fascinated by education policy, loves talking workforce development strategies and is a passionate advocate for creating equitable and inclusive education and economic opportunities for all.

In her free time, Ally loves to cook, hang out with her two dogs Shaq and Kobe, and watch football and visit craft breweries with her husband.