The SMCM Foundation

Brittany Toscano Gore ’08

President

Brittany graduated from St. Mary's College in 2008 with a B.A. in both English and political science. During her time on campus, she served as the College's student trustee from 2007 to 2008, a catalyzing experience that inspired her deep interest and commitment to higher education. Today, Brittany serves as the Director of Strategy and Communications at Georgetown University's Red House, where she works closely with the Red House's founding director and the organization's philanthropic stakeholders to develop and implement the Red House's investment strategy and direct communications. Through collaboration across the University's administration, staff, faculty, and students, the Red House functions as an educational R&D unit that designs and implements new models of courses, degree programs, and learning environments that support a wider and more holistic range of student outcomes designed to better meet the needs and challenges of today's world.

Brittany holds two M.A. degrees from Georgetown University in Italian Studies and in Learning, Design, and Technology. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Liberal Studies at Georgetown University, focused on the role of philanthropy in higher education.

In addition to the St. Mary's Foundation, Brittany currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Marshall Project, the Board of Trustees of the Sidwell Friends School and School Year Abroad, and the Washington Ballet's Board of Ambassadors.

Michelle Lynn Cuttler ’92

Vice President

Michelle majored in history at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and graduated with a B.A. in 1992. She earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Georgetown University Law Center in 1996. Currently, Michelle is general counsel at DN Capital Ltd. in London, England. Previously, Michelle served as legal director at Room to Read, an international non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on literacy and girls’ education. Her legal career began in India and Turkey. Michelle is a trustee at Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Daniel J. Schiffman ’91

Treasurer

Dan has been in the financial services and wealth management industry since 1998. He is the founder and majority owner of Capital River Wealth Management, headquartered in Frederick, Maryland.

As a wealth management advisor, Dan brings significant expertise in financial planning and investment strategy, which meaningfully informs and strengthens his involvement with the Foundation.

In 2019, he received the George Delaplaine Distinguished Citizen Award in recognition of his many contributions to the Frederick community.

Dan has long been active in community service and nonprofit leadership. He is a member and former Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek and previously served on the board of the Community Foundation of Frederick County, where he also chaired the investment committee. His commitment to local health initiatives includes service as former Chair of the Special Gifts Committee and current member of the Signature Gifts Committee for Frederick Health. Dan has also served on the boards of Brook Lane Health Services and the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Services, where he was both Treasurer and a board member.

Dan graduated from St. Mary’s College in 1991 with a major in political science.

Heather L. Haberle ’95

Secretary

Heather majored in sociology and anthropology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and graduated with a B.A. in 1995. She earned her MHS in International Health and Qualitative Research from Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1999. Heather is currently vice chair of the Kingwood Township Open Space Advisory Committee. Heather previously served as Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal until 2023.

Meredith E. Davis, Ph.D. ’92

Member

Throughout her career, Meredith has made it a point to support and lead initiatives that inspire others, move institutions forward, and improve academia and society. In her current role as a consultant in the Education Market at WittKieffer, Meredith relies on her 20+ years of leadership and teaching experiences in higher education to inform her executive search praxis as she builds relationships with clients, candidates and executive leaders across academia. Prior to joining the firm, Meredith was the associate vice president for student experience at Syracuse University where she provided direction and strategy for six key departments on campus. In addition to this role, Meredith served as the chair of the Enrollment and Student Experience Diversity Council, and the inaugural co-chair of the Student Activism Engagement Team (SAET). During her time at St. Mary’s College, Meredith served as president of the Black Student Union and the first African American member to serve on the Student Government Association executive cabinet as vice president. Meredith graduated from St. Mary’s College in 1992 with a major in sociology. She earned a M.A. in African American studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 1997, and a Ph.D. in women’s and gender studies at Rutgers University in 2017.

Joseph “David” Flynn, III ’93, CPA

Member

David (JD) is a leader in technology audit and consulting, currently the Senior Director of IT Compliance at Exelixis, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that is innovating next-generation medicines at the forefront of cancer care. Prior to Exelixis, he built a career in public accounting at Ernst & Young (EY) in San Francisco, where he specialized in technology audit for fast-growth pre- and post-IPO companies as well as large multinational enterprises. His journey in technology began while at the College with a position at Booz Allen Hamilton in Lexington Park, MD. After graduation he launched a technology consulting firm at the dawn of the internet, helping internet service providers (ISPs) connect homes and businesses. JD earned his B.A. in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland (1993), an MBA in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2005) and completed post-graduate studies in Accountancy at the University of Memphis (2006). He holds professional certifications including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

The Honorable Sven Erik Holmes

Member

Sven Erik Holmes served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2025, including a term as chair from 2016 to 2019. Holmes retired as vice chairman from KPMG LLP. In this role, he was responsible for the firm’s risk management functions as well as its office of general counsel, office of government affairs, security department, and ethics and compliance program. Holmes also served as KPMG’s Chief Legal Officer, Counsel to the Board of Directors, and as a member of the management committee. Prior to KPMG, Holmes was a partner at Williams & Connolly when he was appointed by President William Clinton as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma, where he served for 10 years. He is married to author and journalist Lois Romano.

Education

• Harvard University, B.A. (1973)
• University of Virginia Law School, J.D. (1980)
• Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. (Taxation, 1987)

Morgan Lum ’96

Chief Operating Officer

Morgan Lum is an executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer for PNC Private Bank®. As chief operating officer of PNC Private Bank, Morgan works with senior leaders across the organization to manage and deliver on key initiatives. Additionally, he oversees the administrative and operational responsibilities for the organization. He joined PNC in 2018, and in conjunction with his role as COO, Morgan serves as Head of PNC Private Bank Client Service and Middle Office. These teams deliver client service and support, ensuring an efficient and exceptional client and employee experience. Additionally, Morgan successfully led the Asset Management Group’s integration efforts of the BBVA USA acquisition completed in 2021. Prior to joining PNC, Morgan served as a Managing Director and head of U.S. Client Service for the Private Bank at J.P. Morgan. He has over 25 years of experience in client service, strategic program management, core operations, business transformation, and employee and leadership development. Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from St. Mary's College in Maryland. He is an active member of their Alumni Council where he currently serves as Treasurer. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Brendan Sailing, a non-profit focused on building pathways for self-confidence and personal growth in children with Learning Differences, through instruction in sailing. Morgan also supports several organizations throughout Maryland including Sultana Education Foundation, Shore Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Bluford “Blu” H. Putnam, Ph.D.

Member

Blu was a visiting professor in history and social science at St. Mary’s College from 1988 to 1989. He served on the College’s Foundation Board from 2001 to 2008 with an appointment as chair of the Joint Investment Committee from 2001 to 2006. With a career ranging from central banking to investment research to portfolio management, Blu regularly publishes research reports on the global economy and markets and presents this research to industry groups, focusing on clarifying complex problems and framing the issues in a compelling manner to encourage better decision making. In his current role as the chief economist and managing director of CME Group, the largest operator of futures and options exchanges around the world, he is responsible for leading economic analysis on global financial, commodity, and agricultural markets. Since 2015, Blu has been a member of the board of directors of 1Qbit and was named vice-chairman in 2021. Other board experience includes the board of directors at the Haitian Cultural Foundation from 2010 to 2011 and Maryland Bankshares from 2004 to 2001. Blu graduated from Tulane University with a Ph.D. in economics in 1976.

Amir Reda ’11

Member

Amir is a portfolio manager - stewardship at Sands Capital, an independent, staff-owned firm founded in 1992 with offices in Washington, DC, London and Singapore. Prior to joining Sands Capital, Amir served as vice president and assistant vice president of U.S. Intermediaries and senior lead sales consultant of Financial Institutions at T. Rowe Price. While at the College, Amir was a member of the men’s soccer team, a student representative on the Alumni Council, a student ambassador in Admissions, a member of the Legislative Assembly Committee and a member of the Judicial Board. Amir graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2011 with a major in political science. Amir served on the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Alumni Council as the student representative from 2010 to 2011 and then after graduation from 2017 to 2023. Amir also served as secretary on the board of directors of Stocks of the Future from 2019 to 2022.

Nikola Sutherland ’87

Member

Nikola is a founding partner, chief operating officer and a member of the investment committee at Apiary Capital LLP, London, UK. She leads the firm’s investor relations department and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm. Prior to founding Apiary Capital LLP, Nikola served as chief operating officer and partner at Bowmark Capital and served as partner of finance and operations at Duke Street Capital. In 2004, she was one of four partners who established Park Square Capital, a $1.15 billion independent European mezzanine fund. Nikola began her career in banking including roles at Rothschild & Co in Australia and JPMorgan in New York and London. Nikola graduated from St. Mary’s College in 1987 with a major in economics (Summa Cum Laude). She earned a M.B.A. in finance and management from Columbia Business School in 1992.