The Yale Alumni Fund has announced the 2023 recipients of its Chair’s Award, a group of six exceptional volunteer leaders. Brett Zbar ’94, chair of the Yale Alumni Fund Board of Directors, announced the winners, selected from a wide pool of volunteers nominated by Alumni Fund staff across all of Yale’s schools.
“I am really delighted to present this year’s Alumni Fund Chair’s awards, which recognize Alumni Fund volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, innovation, and dedication through their work for the Fund,” Zbar says. “Each year, recipients are nominated by Alumni Fund staff across all Yale schools and are selected by the current chair of the Board of Directors. This is the Alumni Fund’s and my opportunity to show our appreciation for extraordinary volunteer leadership.”
Six individuals were presented with these awards on February 12 during the Yale Alumni Fund Board of Directors meeting. View the celebration video and read more about the recipients below.
Award Recipients
Amy Yu Liao ’11 is an exceptional and dedicated Alumni Fund volunteer. She began her service to the Fund as a stewardship agent in 2019, working to bolster donor retention through engagement with supporters in the Young Alumni cohort. She expanded her commitment to fundraising for the Alumni Fund when she became a class agent. In spring 2023, Amy solicited over 1,000 classmates through a fiscal year-end campaign using the Fund’s online volunteer portal, GiveCampus. She willingly takes on special projects and works closely with staff partners to effectively answer questions and concerns from volunteers and donors. Amy interviews Yale College applicants for the Alumni Schools Committee and is a Yale Club of New Jersey volunteer.
Amy also engages fellow alums through her love of cooking and food. Sponsored by Yale Food and Drink, the YAA Board of Governors, Feb Club Emeritus, and Yale Women, she has led several virtual and in-person Chinese cooking demonstrations.
Paul Mandell ’98 JD is a dedicated and inspiring alum who is deeply involved with Yale Law School, serving in multiple volunteer capacities, including chair of the Law School Fund Board, co-chair of his 25th Reunion, member of the Alumni Fund Board and its Executive Committee in addition to the For Humanity Campaign Committee. Paul consistently seeks to inspire alumni to make their own commitment to the Law School by highlighting the transformative impact of annual giving to support the financial aid needs of students.
Paul’s passion for fundraising and alumni participation is evident in his proactive approach and innovative ideas. He is a tireless advocate for the Law School Alumni Engagement and Development staff team, having established the Joy Fund, which Paul created to support and motivate the staff. This initiative demonstrates his deep commitment to the team and the importance of a supportive and appreciative work environment.
Maria Paola Nastri ’98 PhD is a dedicated and active alum of the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Since 2018, she has served as a volunteer for the Graduate School Alumni Fund, inspiring her fellow alumni to join her to increase participation with the Fund. She has served on the Alumni Fund Board since 2019 in several leadership roles including as a member of the Board’s Executive Committee. She is an energizing, engaging presence at meetings and is passionate about mentoring current Yale graduate students, including those outside of her own area of study.
In 2023, Paola co-led the Alumni Fund’s For Humanity Events work group creating a playbook for the Alumni Fund’s participation in both signature campaign events and supplemental Alumni Fund events. To amplify the New York For Humanity Illuminated event focused on cities and climate solutions, the work group designed an illuminating fireside chat with Anna Dyson, Hines Professor of Sustainable Architectural Design at Yale School of Architecture in conversation with board member Tanya Rivero Warren ’95.
Bonnie & Ira Siegel P ’15, P ’23 served as chairs of the Parents Annual Fund for four years with astounding success. During their tenure, the Parents Fund raised $18.3 million and set several records including, in fiscal year 2023, exceeding the $5 million mark for the first time.
They were loyal attendees to both Parents Fund volunteer meetings and Parents Leadership Council gatherings throughout their term. As ex-officio members of the Yale Alumni Fund Board, they attended every board meeting. Their endorsement of Yale’s mission, belief in Yale’s values, and unwavering commitment to their children’s alma mater set a strong example for other parent volunteers. Bonnie and Ira continue to encourage unrestricted gifts to the Parents Fund in their new role as past parents chairs for the Parents Fund.
Gregory Zorthian ’75 has generously volunteered his time and expertise in strengthening the wider Yale community, having dedicated two decades to the Alumni Fund as a class agent. He demonstrates thoughtfulness when stewarding classmates, renewing support, and staying updated on all university news to keep his network engaged. Greg participates in volunteer calls and attends Alumni Fund events, where he engages with peers and shares best practices.
Greg exemplifies the spirit of leadership through his years of service on the Alumni Fund Board of Directors. He led the board through four terms on the Executive Committee and developed the board slate as a member of the nominating committee. Greg’s volunteer service includes past membership of the YAA Board of Governors, the board of governors for the Yale Daily News Foundation, and the Class of 1975’s 10th, 40th, and 45th Reunion Gift Committees. He has also been a member of the Yale Club of New York City and served as president of the Yale Alumni Association of Greenwich.