We Will Commit to Principled Innovation

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
            With a background on the marketing side, Gina Gonzales has a unique way of thinking outside the box when it comes to new ideas in generating funds for Baylor Athletics through her role in the Bear Foundation.

            "Walking into a meeting with her, you always have to be on your toes," said Kyle Barnard, Assistant AD for Annual Giving, "because she's always bringing in these ideas and fantastic concepts just to think outside the box a few times in the year. And especially when we're moving into seat selection and different ways to really help generate contributions from our alumni and donor base."

            Gonzales took over the Bear Foundation on an interim basis in July 2021 and was promoted to her current position as Associate AD for Resource Development in January 2022.

            "Thank you for trusting me for putting you in a new role," said Jovan Overshown, Senior Associate AD for External Affairs. "The work that you've done in your short time here is pretty remarkable. I applaud your commitment to growth, your commitment to diving in when the fire is blazing. You've done a tremendous job in just increasing revenue generated here, building a tremendous team and all the work you've done on the capital campaign."

            One of Gina's initiatives was adding the pledges per touchdown and pledges per 3-pointer, "kind of an outside-the-box thought to really bring in and instill this year," Barnard said, in the "tall task of trying to keep up with the Joneses, with our expenses rising."

            "What Gina has been able to do with our team and with our staff, she is committed not only to innovation but also to the people within our staff," Barnard said. "You can always add more work to a team, but when it comes to working smarter and not harder, we're extremely grateful for Gina's leadership and her commitment to principled innovation."
            Krista Pirtle, who made a similar transition from Athletics Communications to her new role as Senior Director of Revenue Generation in September, said she "had no clue" of Gonzales's involvement in the planning and seat selection process for the new Foster Pavilion basketball facility.

            "A lot of things that I just thought came with the building once it was built, you are figuring out all those minute details that a lot of us will just look over and think, 'Oh, this is so nice,''' Pirtle said. "You've put in so many hours behind the scenes to make sure everything is done well and done with excellence. And it's not just for Baylor right now or the pavilion next season, it's for Baylor five, 10, 15, 20 (years from now) and on down."

            Thanks, Gina, for your leadership with the Resource Development team and your commitment to principled innovation.

We Will Commit to Principled Innovation

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