Just Say “Yes!”

As a major gifts officer at USC Viterbi, Noël Corbin ’12, MCG ’21 fundraises, engages with fellow alumni, and helps deepen relationships between donors (or potential donors) and USC. She is also the liaison with the school’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Noël has worked at USC for nearly nine years, all at Viterbi. She started as a development coordinator, advanced to junior gift officer, and now serves as a major gifts officer managing her own portfolio.

“I actually fell into this line of work,” she says. “I had just graduated from college and a family friend recommended I come work with her in the advancement office of a small independent school. There I learned about the many aspects of the field – operations, working the front lines, managing volunteers. She showed me that I could pursue this as a career, and recommended that higher education be my next move.”

That family friend may have been Noël’s first advancement mentor, but she’s quick to point out two others without whom, she says, she “wouldn’t be where I am today.” First there’s her current manager, Christine Napolitano, USC Viterbi’s assistant dean of advancement. Explains Noël, “Not only is Chris a talented fundraiser, but she never misses a chance to celebrate us individually or as a team. She has always supported my upward trajectory and professional growth.” Mentor number two was a former Viterbi senior associate dean, Mary Ann Schwartz. “Early in my USC career, Mary Ann showed me everything there is to know about managing a team and fundraising at the principal gift level. She even brought me on donor visits, which sparked my passion for this job.”

Noël has some succinct advice for those looking to thrive in the fundraising universe: “Say yes to everything. If someone invites you to an event, coffee, or activity – go. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made connections at something I was reluctant to attend – and 99% of the time, I had a blast! Also, we’re a big university but a small advancement community. If you find yourself emailing someone a lot, invite them to coffee. It makes our work more meaningful when we get to know each other in person.”

One other factor has contributed to Noël’s sense of professional fulfillment. As an alum, she calls her return to USC “the ultimate homecoming,” and considers the university “the best of all worlds in academics, research, alumni engagement and athletics. That makes it really easy for me to find inspiration in my day-to-day role.” She often recalls the moment she was accepted to USC as a Trustee Scholar, how validating that was, and how, as a student, she “never felt like a number. Every step of the way, I had personalized care and attention.” This recollection surely carries over into her present dealings with donors.

When it comes to time off, Noël loves going to all sorts of live performances – comedy, plays, musicals, concerts. And she has an abiding passion for tennis. “I play regularly,” she attests, “because I love to socialize, and get some exercise while I’m at it. I also love reading historical bios, so if anyone has any recs, please let me know!”