Meet our Team
Get to know our organization.
Julie Arfanis Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living of Florida
Julie has over 25 years of experience in the areas of non-profit fundraising, health insurance sales, and health care management. She has held sales and managerial positions working for large and small for-profit corporations, as well as working independently as an insurance agent. Julie has focused on serving the senior population for the past 15 years, which included independently selling Medicare Advantage Plans and working with retirement communities. She was responsible for increasing philanthropic support at Covenant Living of Florida from 2018 -2020 by developing, cultivating, and expanding donor relationships for the community, including fundraising for benevolent care funds as well as for outdoor campus beautification initiatives.
Julie has been a member of the Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business and Power Leads Group, and has attended Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Broward Chapter meetings. A Broward College graduate, her husband and she have 4 active grandchildren.
Nicole Brennan Project Manager, Philanthropy
Nicole comes to the Skokie office of Covenant Living Communities and Services with over 10 years of nonprofit experience in various roles. From volunteer engagement to donor marketing, and event management to website upkeep, Nicole is a “Jill of all trades.” She holds a bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University and happily resides on the North Side of Chicago.
Tina Corbett Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living of Colorado
Tina Corbett brings over 30 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector including fundraising, communications, public relations and marketing prior to joining Covenant Living of Colorado as the Director of Philanthropy. She previously served as the development director for a number of nonprofit organizations including CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Christian Community Action, Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center and the West Texas Food Bank.
Tina graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with a degree in magazine journalism where she also played volleyball for the Drake Bulldogs. She started her career as a journalist working for the Midland Reporter-Telegram before transitioning to work in communications and marketing for the Commemorative Air Force, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and flying World War II aircraft. Tina lives in Colorado with her husband and enjoys spending time with her son who lives in Oregon and her daughter who attends college in Colorado.
Kathy Cornell Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living at Windsor Park
Kathy has over 22 years’ experience in fundraising in the Midwest, having always been based in the Chicago area. She worked for her alma mater, Cornell University, for 11 years as director of the Midwest Regional Office of Alumni Affairs and Development. During that time, she actively participated, start to finish, in a $200 million scholarship campaign. Later she actively participated in a university-wide campaign that began with a goal of $4 billion and ultimately raised over $6 billion.
Kathy also served for 2 years as Advancement Director for the Sierra Club’s Midwest Region. Immediately prior to joining the team at Windsor Park in April 2018 she worked as an independent fundraising consultant doing projects with smaller not-for-profits. Before her work with not-for-profits Kathy spent 15 years in the business world. She worked for 10 years in the search business with a variety of client companies doing high-tech searches for senior positions, and 5 years as manager of national accounts for a start-up software company. Prior to her business career Kathy taught classes at the College of DuPage and National College of Education and was a research assistant while she was in grad school at Northern Illinois University (master’s in Education) and the University of Chicago (“All-But-Dissertation” in Educational Psychology). Her first job after college was teaching preschoolers in Head Start.
Diane Dale Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living at the Samarkand
Diane Dale, Director of Philanthropy for Covenant Living at the Samarkand in Santa Barbara, CA, has over eighteen years of fundraising and nonprofit experience. Most recently, she served as the Director of Development for La Casa de Maria, an inter-spiritual retreat and conference center serving over 12,000 individuals and 250 nonprofit groups annually. During her tenure, they completed a $7.6 million capital campaign. Diane then created their first annual giving program and Legacy Society, coordinated fundraising events, and implemented a robust grants program supporting capacity building, operations, capital projects, and sponsorships.
Previously, Diane was Director of Annual Giving and Grants at the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, where she was part of the team that raised $70 million to restore the historic Granada Theatre. Also a professional writer, she has authored scripts for the Pittsburgh Symphony and production companies, and one of her pieces won a Telly Award for “Best Video Documentary.” A native Californian, Diane graduated from California State University, Fullerton. She is honored to be a part of the Central Coast nonprofit community. Diane is honored to be working with the amazing seniors at Covenant Living at the Samarkand.
Liam Dunfey Regional Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living at Mount Miguel
Liam serves at the Covenant Living of Mount Miguel (San Diego area) community. Liam has over 20 years of fundraising and operational leadership experience. Over the last eleven years, he has worked in aging services as a fundraiser, Marketing-Admissions-Public Relations Director, and oversaw a Senior Day Program for seniors with beginning to moderate memory loss.
Liam partners with the central office and coaches the Directors of Philanthropy on western campuses to strengthen the culture of philanthropy. Liam has a bachelor’s degree from Elmira College (NY) and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. Liam is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). Liam and his wife have three elementary school aged children. In his spare time, he enjoys baseball, tennis, and reading books.
Adena Dutter Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living of Turlock
Adena has over 17 years of experience in the areas of fundraising, leadership, and relationship building. From 2014 to 2017, she served as the Director of Marketing and Development for the Beloit Regional Hospice/Beloit Health System in Wisconsin. Adena was responsible for the overall development, implementation and coordination of the organization’s outreach, referral and admissions program, development and fundraising, marketing, public relations and internal and external communications.
She has also held positions in community marketing and university admissions in Colorado. Adena has a Bachelor’s Degree with a dual emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising from Colorado State University and an MBA from Colorado Technical University. Her husband and she have three active young boys.
Rebecca Grant Director of Philanthropy, Northbrook
Director of Philanthropy, Northbrook
Rebecca is responsible for all charitable giving on the Northbrook campus. Before coming to Covenant Living, Rebecca spent more than six years at Northwest Community Hospital Foundation, where she oversaw their annual fund, giving societies, and special events.
Prior to her work at NCH Foundation, Rebecca served as a key member of the Advancement Team at The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago and worked with a number of well-known organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs and the March of Dimes. With nearly two decades of nonprofit and philanthropy experience, she brings a wealth of expertise in advancement strategy, donor engagement, and stewardship.
Rebecca holds a degree in English from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Outside of work, Rebecca can be found with her family, at her sewing machine, or in her garden.
Annsley Rogers-Scruton Regional Director, Philanthropy and National Philanthropy Operations
Annsley Rogers-Scruton has over 20 years of experience in operations, project management, business development, and fund development with global not-for-profit and consulting firms. She is responsible for all national philanthropy operations and manages directors of philanthropy at four communities in the West and Midwest. Annsley piloted the first full-time fundraising position for Covenant Living at the Windsor Park community, creating a replicable model that is now scaled across 22 subsidiaries in nine states. Prior to Covenant Living, she served as the Managing Associate for Business Development at JVA Consulting, as an International Business Development Project Manager at Opportunity International, and in programmatic and finance roles with World Relief and UNICEF. Annsley graduated summa cum laude, with two bachelor’s degrees from Wheaton College and has held her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential since 2017. She recently served on the board of directors for her alma mater’s The Artist Series, Professionals in Development Network, and Ten Thousand Villages of Glen Ellyn. Annsley lives in Colorado with her husband and children.
Amanda Slaiher Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living at the Holmstad
Amanda brings over 20 years of experience with nonprofits to her work at Covenant Living at the Holmstad. Prior to her tenure at the Holmstad, Amanda operated a successful fundraising consulting business, which served nonprofits in the Fox Valley and the western suburbs of Chicago. Amanda also served as the outcomes and grants manager at Waubonsee Community College and director of annual giving at Dominican University, as well.
She has worked as an English teacher at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, WI and Rosary High School in Aurora, IL, Waubonsee Community College, and Northern Illinois University. Amanda earned a B.A., double-major in Theatre and Creative Writing from Beloit College; and an M.A in Linguistics and Stylistics from Northern Illinois University. Amanda is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Amanda enjoys serving on the boards of the Batavia Public Library Foundation and Batavia Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Batavia, IL with her husband and three young children.
Jenny Thai Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living at Inverness
Jenny has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years. Her most recent position was with the March of Dimes, as the Senior Development Director, where she oversaw all fundraising for the Tulsa market and special events. She has worked in a variety of capacities, including disaster volunteer management, donor development, community relations and fundraising. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration, with an emphasis in Development, from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Jenny lives in Oklahoma with her husband and children.
Jamie Tietz Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living of the Great Lakes
Jamie joins Covenant Living of the Great Lakes with over 30 years of fundraising, sales, marketing, and event planning experience.
She worked for the last 5 years in a senior-living community raising funds to support benevolent care. Her responsibilities included fundraising, event planning, donor cultivation and stewardship, volunteer management, and special projects. She was an integral part of a team that raised over $4 million for a comprehensive capital campaign. Jamie managed and implemented all aspects of five successful golf outings, auctions and fund-the-need appeals that raised over $600,0000 to support residents, families, and staff. She worked closely with the Foundation Board of Trustees, community partners and local businesses to generate programs and initiatives that grew and enhanced the mission of the community.
Before working in senior living, Jamie led sales and marketing efforts for various local businesses. She developed creative marketing solutions while generating sales for clients as well as implementing special events and fundraisers. She is skilled in resolving challenges with innovative solutions, systems, and process improvements.
Jamie is a member of Women in Development Grand Rapids, an active member at her church, and volunteers at West Catholic High School, and within her community. A Central Michigan University graduate, Jamie lives on the west side of Grand Rapids and will utilize her long-standing community relationships to lead philanthropic efforts for Covenant Living of the Great Lakes. She and her husband Mike have two daughters and a rescue dog, Emmy. When Jamie isn’t working, she can be found at the beach, playing tennis, or hiking trails around town.
Christine Urciuoli Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living of Cromwell
Christine has over 25 years of experience in Philanthropy work in the greater Hartford area. She is an organized and enthusiastic professional with extensive experience in all aspects of fundraising programs, including event management, donor cultivation and stewardship, prospecting, campaign management, campaign marketing with successful results, public relations, project management, and customer relations. During those pivotal years she developed skills and assets in development for nonprofit organizations, including donor and volunteer engagement, and sponsorship solicitation.
During her 25 years she has successfully secured well over $3 millon for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Christine is an active member of the Board of Directors for Ädelbrook, which is an outreach ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church through affiliation with its Covenant Initiatives for Care, a subsidiary of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence with a vision to serve children and families in need, for the past 3 years. She continually serves on that board and is dedicated to serving others in her community.
Victoria Wenick Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living at the Shores
Victoria Wenick joined Covenant Living as the Director of Philanthropy at the Shores in November 2020. She graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management and Marketing. Victoria began her career in marketing and advertising working in management positions for major retailers including Macy’s and Goody’s Family Clothing. In 2005, she joined The Seattle Times working in sales and marketing.
After 16 years of volunteering as Chair of the Arnold Guild supporting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Victoria joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as the Senior Campaign Director in 2013 where she managed and implemented several fundraising campaigns. From 2013 to 2020, cumulatively she was responsible for over $4.6 million in fundraising to support cancer research, patient services, and advocacy. Victoria lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and two stepdaughters.
Martha West Director of Philanthropy, Covenant Living of Golden Valley
Martha is a mission-focused, strategic and values-based leader who influences teammates, fosters teamwork, motivates others, and champions change—all with humility and a little bit of humor. She’s spent over 10 years raising funds for churches, spiritual communities, homes for women who are homeless, and the performing arts. Career highlights include securing over $1 million legacy gifts and retiring over $3 million in organizational debt.
Martha earned a B.S. in Business Administration from East Carolina University, and a M.A. in Theology from St. Catherine University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and has a certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from The Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. Professionally, she is an active member of Association of Fundraising Professionals-Global as part of their national IDEA committee. She is also active in AFP-Twin Cities, the MN Council of Planned Giving, and she is a grant reviewer for the MN Regional Arts Council. Personally, Martha is active as a consociate member of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, St Paul Province. Her greatest accomplishment is raising four children who are accomplished in their own career fields. She is also enjoying her first grandchild.