Meet the Advancement Team
The Advancement Office
Head of Advancement
andrew_macdonnell@cate.org / 720-289-5506
BA, University of Denver
Appointed: 2011
As Cate’s Head of Advancement, Andrew partners with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to advance the School’s fundraising priorities and foster a culture of philanthropy across the Cate community. He leads the Advancement Department, overseeing annual, capital, endowment, and planned giving initiatives while providing leadership for alumni and parent engagement, advancement communications, and fundraising.
Since joining Cate in 2011, Andrew has held several advancement leadership positions, expanding the School’s philanthropic support and deepening relationships with alumni, parents, and friends throughout the Cate community. He has long served as a dorm parent and trip leader for the 11th-grade Outings Week adventure to the Sierra Nevada.
Andrew lives in Carpinteria with his wife, Hannah, who teaches history at Cate. An avid trail runner, he has completed more than sixty ultramarathons.
Cate Fund Director
alison_boris@cate.org/ 805-684-4127 ext. 266
BA, Florida State University
Appointed: 2022
As Cate Fund Director, Alison Boris is dedicated to supporting the School’s mission by building meaningful connections with Cate’s alumni, parents, and friends. Through these relationships, she helps secure the vital resources that strengthen financial assistance, support our dedicated faculty, and enhance our campus.
Alison joined Cate in 2022, bringing over a decade of experience in independent school education. Her journey began in the classroom as a preschool teacher at Garrison Forest School in Maryland before she transitioned to Advancement work, serving as a Development Officer at King’s Academy in Jordan and later as Associate Director of Leadership Gifts at Webb in Claremont, California.
Beyond her fundraising efforts, Alison loves connecting directly with students through Cate’s Public Service Nights. She regularly joins students on visits to local non-profits such as Transition House, Stevens House, and Cornerstone, helping support their impactful programs across the local community.
Now happily rooted in Santa Barbara, Alison lives with her husband, Tim. Outside of school life, you can usually find them enjoying local concerts, traveling, volunteering with the Dream Foundation, or exploring the area’s beautiful beaches and trails.
Advancement Associate
beth_engel@cate.org / 805-684-4127 ext. 215
Appointed: 2023
Beth Engel joined Cate as the Advancement Associate, bringing more than ten years of experience in hospitality and event management. Before her career in hospitality, Beth worked in the surf industry as a Central California sales representative for Rip Curl and in inside sales for Havaianas Sandals.
An avid surfer, Beth ranked first in the women’s shortboard division of the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) for Central California in 2000 and now coaches Cate’s Surf Team.
Beth lives in the Ojai Valley with her husband, CJ, their daughter, Piper, and their two dogs. When not on the Mesa, she enjoys surfing, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Advancement & Communications Manager
guille_reynoso@cate.org / 805-684-4127 ext. 285
(she/her/hers)
BS, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Appointed: 2020
As Advancement & Communications Manager, Guille Gil-Reynoso oversees communications, prospect and foundation research, and stewardship programs at Cate. Before joining Cate, Guille managed grant programs at the Santa Barbara Foundation, focusing on health care, behavioral health, youth leadership, and empowering disadvantaged populations.
An advocate for women’s issues, Guille co-founded the Santa Barbara Latina Leaders Network and the Santa Barbara Latino Giving Circle. She is an alumna of the National Hispana Leadership Institute Executive Leadership Program, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Executive Education Program, and the Center for Creative Leadership.
Guille is a trustee of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara and is a member of the Association for Women in Communications. She enjoys spending time with her extended family, traveling, and salsa dancing. Guille lives in Santa Barbara with her husband, Jorge, and daughter, Victoria.