sg-leadership-and-staff-advancement

Craig Stewart

Director of Advancement

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Prior to taking the helm of the Foundation in 2017, Craig Stewart served as Vice President at Bernstein Private Wealth Management in Washington, DC and before that as Associate Development Director at Episcopal High School (EHS) in Alexandria, VA. He is a graduate of EHS and has a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He and his wife, Cricket, live in Mt. Pleasant and have three children, Ansley, Craig and Lee and three grandchildren. He served on the boards of an Episcopal retirement community foundation, a military museum and education-focused nonprofit in the Washington area before moving to South Carolina. He loves college sports, fitness training and reading with two book clubs!

P: 843.402.4690
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Kenton Barham Youngblood '95
Director of Advancement Services

Kenton Barham Youngblood '95 serves as Director of Advancement Services overseeing the day-to-day operations of gift processing, data management and advancement reporting. She has more than 20 years of advancement experience to include: Director of Major Gifts at the College of Charleston; Vice President, Major Gifts and Planned Giving at Trident United Way; Director of Development, the Gibbes Museum of Art; and Executive Director, University of Virginia Club of New York City.

Kenton grew up in Charleston where she graduated from Porter-Gaud School in 1995 before earning a B.A. in American Government from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. She lives on James Island with her husband Jay in a quiet home as their three adult children have flown the coop. When not on campus, Kenton can be found in the kitchen or on the water.

P: 843.402.4686
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Brian Beck
Director of Annual Giving

Brian Beck is the Director of Annual Giving at Porter-Gaud. He is a UNCG alumni with a B.S. in Nutrition and Wellness and is currently studying at Boston University for a graduate degree in Arts Administration and Fundraising Management. Prior to Porter-Gaud, Brian served as the Donor Relations Manager for Habitat for Humanity where he oversaw the individual giving program in Charlotte, NC. He was part of the mentor program at UNCC for new graduate development professionals and also served on the board of the local AFP chapter in Charlotte. Brian now resides in Mount Pleasant and enjoys all the activities that Charleston has to offer. In his free time, he enjoys being outside in nature, is an avid diver, motorcyclist, and traveler.

P: 843.402.4803
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Kathryn Sherrod
Director of Leadership Giving

Kathryn Sherrod has been with the Porter-Gaud Foundation for since 2009 and currently serves as the Director of Leadership Giving. Her previous role, as Director of Alumni Relations, allowed her the opportunity to engage with our alumni all over the Country. Prior to coming to PG, Kathryn worked in the Development Office for MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund for 10 years. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a B. S. in Business Administration and earned her M. H. A. from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She and her husband, Will, have twin daughters who graduated with the Class of 2022 at Porter-Gaud School. She grew up in the Lowcountry and has a passion for education, running, and animals.

P: 843.402.4685
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Michael Abro
Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement

Michael Abro is the Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement. She came from the South Carolina Bar and the Charleston School of Law, where she started and managed their alumni outreach and programming. She is a Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of South Carolina--undergraduate and Masters Degree. She has a Juris Doctor degree from the Charleston School of Law where she is an Adjunct Professor. Michael is also a current Porter-Gaud parent. Her daughter, Elliott, is in the Class of 2032. Michael enjoys bicycling with her family in her spare time.

P: 843.402.4863
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Lisa Ward, J.D.
Director of Individual and Legacy Giving

Lisa Ward is the Director of Capital and Planned Gifts at Porter-Gaud. She grew up in the Lowcountry and has worked in education fundraising for the last several years. She received a B.A. in Political Science and Public Affairs from Columbia College and a Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law. Before coming to Porter-Gaud, Lisa worked on Capitol Hill and as a civil litigation attorney in Mount Pleasant, SC. When she is not at Porter-Gaud, she loves spending time with her husband Heath and their sons Grady and Brody, volunteering in the community, and enjoying all our beautiful city has to offer. Lisa is deeply passionate about Porter-Gaud and the transformational experience the school affords every student.

P: 843.402.4754
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Tracey Zirneklis
Advancement Services Manager

Tracey Zirneklis has spent the last twenty years in education, most recently as a six year veteran of Porter-Gaud’s Upper School English department.  Now in her current role as the Advancement Services Manager, she works with the advancement team in its efforts to support students and help further the school’s mission.  Additionally, Tracey serves as Head Coach for both the JV and Varsity Girls and Boys tennis teams, winning her first state title with the Varsity Boys in the spring of 2023.  She is a graduate of Indiana University and earned a MAT in English from the Citadel.  An avid tennis player, Tracey lives in West Ashley with her husband, Ryan, step-daughter, Mazie, and son, Logan (PG class of 2024). 

P: 843.402.4734
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