Katy Herbert Kotlarczyk has been with CU for 10 years in a variety of positions, including with the CU Foundation and CU Boulder. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President in the System Advancement office, and is on the department’s leadership team. Her job mainly entails figuring out who wants to support CU with their private resources, then engaging and connecting those prospective donors with the programs and people doing impactful work across our four campuses.

Why did you initially apply to work at CU?

After moving to Colorado, a former boss of mine connected me to Trisha McKean, who was (and still is!) working in the Advancement office at the Leeds School of Business. She shared the exciting work taking place at CU Boulder, and this aligned with my interest in fundraising for higher education and specifically a public institution.

Tell us about your favorite project you've completed during your time at CU.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible philanthropists who understand the great work CU is doing in the world. Some are faculty and staff here at CU, others are just embarking on their careers as recent graduates, and quite a few are retired from successful careers and figuring out how they want to help the next generation. I recall a specific fellow who graduated many years ago. He involved his entire family in his gift to support CU, including four kids who attended CU Boulder. The day we celebrated the gift, his father gave a speech. One of his sons later shared with me that that was the happiest (and most talkative) he had ever seen his dad.

What is the best part of your workday?

I love getting to know people, hearing their stories, and figuring out what inspires and motivates them. I’m lucky to spend most of my days with people: managing and mentoring my teammates, partnering with colleagues across the CU System and working with CU donors who come in every shape and size.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I have three young kids, and we adopted a dog last year, so that means I don’t have any spare time! But when I do have a few moments, I love to read (I’m in 3 book clubs), practice Spanish, hike, call one of my five siblings, or sneak away for a date night with my spouse.

What is your favorite campus/neighborhood location?

I spend a good bit of time on every campus. I love the chocolate Nutella croissants at The Bakery in C4C on the Boulder campus. I took a tour of the cadaver lab at the Anschutz campus, and that was fascinating – although a little smelly.

At UCCS, I love hiking from building to building for the view and because I get completely out of breath with all their hills and higher altitude. And at the Denver campus, I like to walk an extra lap around their building blocks to absorb being downtown in the “big city.” 

What is your favorite perk or benefit at CU?

There are so many great perks at CU! I love the EcoPass because I can ride the bus for free to the airport. I love the Move program because it gives me $25 if I exercise 12 times in a month. I also love our retirement matching benefits, and I’m very proud that we instituted paid parental leave for our employees.

What would be your one piece of advice for someone interested in working at CU?

Be careful, as you might be here much longer than you think! It’s a big place and overwhelming at first, but once you jump in and get started, it’s quite fun to be part of one of the largest institutions in the state of Colorado.