Smith School Annual Fund faculty and staff champions are leaders both in their fields, and within the Smith School. They are advocates for the Annual Fund for a variety of reasons, but they all share a passion for providing a world-class experience for our students. Learn more about our champions today!

Terrill Drake
Executive Director, Office of Smith Programs and Events

“I'm a champion because this fund will not only support our students, but will enhance our experience as faculty and staff, as well as Smith's brand.”

Terrill Drake is the executive director of the Office of Smith Programs and Events, overseeing the day-to-day operations and execution of more than 200 conferences, meetings and special events annually supported by the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Joyce Russell
Distinguished Tyser Teaching Fellow & Senior Executive Education Fellow

“We as faculty and staff impact Smith's history and future. I'm a champion because I want to impact my students' futures through this fund.”

Professor Joyce Russell is a Ralph J. Tyser Distinguished Teaching Fellow and a Senior Executive Education Fellow in the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, as well as a licensed industrial and organizational psychologist with over 25 years of experience consulting with both private and public sector organizations.

Alex Triantis
Professor, Finance

“I'm a champion because I want to invest in the future of the Smith School, and to help leverage the impact of all of our educational, research and outreach activities.”

Professor Alex Triantis has twice received the Smith School's Krowe Award for Teaching Excellence, served two terms as editor of Financial Management (1999-2005), and served as chair of the finance department from 2006-11.

Rebecca Winner
Associate Director, Strategic Communications

“I'm proud of Smith's student, faculty and staff community, and I'm excited about our potential to do great things. I'm a champion because the Annual Fund will help meet our most urgent needs and pursue that margin of excellence in all our activities.”

Rebecca Winner, associate director of strategic communications, helps to shape the way the Smith School story is told to all key stakeholders--current and prospective students, alumni, corporate partners, faculty and staff, and the wider world.