Meet the Team

Larry Gibson has worked for Case Western Reserve University since 2001. He has held leadership roles in Student Affairs, Finance and Administration, and since 2007, University Relations and Development. As Associate Vice President for University Relations and Development, Larry manages all the division's operations and projects as well as the university's capital campaign and annual fund. Larry is also providing interim leadership to the Weatherhead School of Management's External Relations Office.

Laura Desmond began her fundraising career at Northwestern University, later joining the American Red Cross as associate director of financial development and lead fundraiser on national disasters for the state of Ohio. After serving as vice president for fund development at Applewood Centers,she became a director of development for the Cleveland Orchestra, where she managed a team that raised a record $50 million in 2010. In 2009, Desmond worked with the Maltz Family Foundation to secure the largest philanthropic grant in the orchestra’s history, a $20 million endowment gift to create the orchestra’s Center for Future Audiences.

Desmond spent the early part of her childhood in Hamburg, Germany, due to her father’s work as an auditor with Price Waterhouse. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and spent 10 years in Illinois before returning to Cleveland, where her family has roots.

Bernadette Clemens holds a BA from Barnard College of Columbia University and a MA from Case Western Reserve University. She began her Case Western Reserve University career in 2003 in Finance and Administration managing university-wide projects in audit, compliance, fraud investigation, conflict of interest & risk management, and as liaison to the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees. Subsequently, she became Director of President’s Programs managing president’s & provost’s development, and then Director of Strategic Development for CWRU during the planning years of the current campaign.

Not long after President Barbara Snyder was appointed, Clemens became Director of National Development and accompanied President Snyder on numerous national and local development opportunities on behalf of every school at the university as well as president’s priorities.

Clemens rejoined the university’s staff as the Executive of Development at the Weatherhead School of Management in December 2015.

Ann Miller has spent her entire 23-year career in the nonprofit field, including positions in the social service, cultural arts and higher education sectors. Prior to joining the External Relations team at Weatherhead, Miller served as Director of Development for Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, managing all aspects of the organization’s comprehensive development program. Her previous experience includes Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations at Notre Dame College, Foundation Officer at Lorain County Community College and Director of Marketing at Applewood Centers, Inc. Miller graduated from Miami University (Ohio) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Journalism and Sociology, and is a proud graduate of the Weatherhead School, earning a Master of Nonprofit Organizations degree. Ann resides in North Ridgeville with her husband and two sons.