Arizona State University: Meet The New Director Of ASU's School Of Mathematical And Statistical Sciences

Press release from Arizona State University:

April 7, 2021

Donatella Danielli became the new director of Arizona State Univesity's School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences on Jan. 1. Before coming to ASU, she was a professor of mathematics at Purdue University, where she spent most of her career. She earned her PhD in mathematics from Purdue in 1999 and laurea cum laude from the University of Bologna in 1989.

“We were thrilled to bring Donatella to ASU. She brings a wonderful blend of qualities as a leader for the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences,” said Nancy Gonzales, provost pro tempore. “She is a highly accomplished mathematician, a dedicated educator with a lifelong commitment to student success, and she pushes boundaries in pursuit of excellence and inclusion as linked goals. She is founder and co-editor of the newly launched, flagship journal of the Association for Women in Mathematics. She is exactly what we need to take the school to the next level.”

Donatella Danielli is the new director of the ASU School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences as of Jan. 1.
Download Full Image

Danielli has earned many honors and awards including being named a fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics, the American Mathematical Society and the Simons Foundation. Her research focuses on the study of analytic and geometric properties of partial differential equations and variational inequalities.

She currently serves as co-editor-in-chief of La Matematica, the official Journal of the Association for Women in Mathematics. La Matematica is a high-quality mathematics research journal, the processes of which reflect current research on equitable practices in STEM publishing and in promoting the flourishing of all mathematicians. The journal seeks to publish a variety of article types in all fields of mathematics: pure, applied and computational. 

During her initial visit to ASU in February 2020, Danielli loved the sunny weather and nature, especially coming from Indiana in the middle of winter. She was drawn to the school by the dynamic environment, the wide range of scientific interests of its faculty, and its excellence in both research and teaching activities.

“I see the role of director as the one of a facilitator, who through core characteristics, such as accountability, authenticity, cooperation, communication, fairness, integrity and support, allows the school members to perform at the best of their abilities and to achieve their professional goals,” Danielli said.

Irina Mitrea, the L.H. Carnell Professor and chair of the mathematics department at Temple University, has known Danielli since 1996.

“Since then our professional paths have intersected periodically and in the last five years we joined forces in spearheading a number of initiatives aimed at building a national and international professional network of women researchers in analysis, including organizing special sessions at regional American Mathematical Society meetings and at the Joint Mathematics Meetings, creating the Women in Analysis Research Network, and editing special volumes in Analysis and Partial Differential Equations. It's always fun and gratifying to work with Donatella — we get a lot done,” Mitrea said.

When asked what she admires most about Danielli, Mitrea said, “Where do I begin? She is truly an inspiration and a role model for many women mathematicians. Her ability to listen, willingness to help, and capacity to lead top my list. Oh, along with her impeccable sense of fashion!”

Here, Danielli talks about her vision for the school, her research and her family.

Jacky Alling, the chief philanthropy officer for the Arizona Community Foundation, will depart the foundation after 17 years to join the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation this month as its first-ever senior fellow for philanthropy. Through this new role with the ASU Lodestar Center, an organization she has long served as a leadership council member, Alling will now bring her talents to the wider nonprofit and philanthropic sector.

In her time with the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), Alling collaborated with many to lead, design, orchestrate or implement some of ACF’s most innovative programs: Affordable Housing Predevelopment Loan Fund; Community Impact Loan Fund; New Arizona Prize; Newton and Betty Rosenzweig Fund for the Arts; Black Philanthropy Initiative; Kellenberger + Tollefson Center for LGBTQ Philanthropy; Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy; and most recently, the AZ Together for Impact Fund, a collaboration among many Arizona foundations.

After a long tenure as chief philanthropy officer for Arizona Community Foundation, Jacky Alling will share her expertise with the broader nonprofit and philanthropic community as senior fellow for philanthropy at ASU’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
Download Full Image

“We are delighted that Jacky’s expertise, experiences and strong relationships in philanthropy will substantially bolster our center’s efforts to meet our mission,” said Robert Ashcraft, executive director of ASU’s Lodestar Center and the Saguaro Professor of Civic Enterprise in the School of Community Resources and Development. “Having Jacky in this important role enhances all that we aspire to be and do through the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and especially so related to the role of philanthropy to enhance community well-being."

Alling also led the co-founding of the Arizona Endowment Building Institute (AEBI), an important accomplishment in advancing the nonprofit sector in Arizona and catalyzing ACF’s work with nonprofit organizations’ funds.

“Jacky worked tirelessly to advance our mission by mobilizing and supporting donors, overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to thousands of organizations, and bringing in hundreds of new donors to ACF,” said Steve Seleznow, president and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation. “She will now bring her considerable wisdom, experience and talent to hundreds of others who are leading foundations, studying philanthropy, or seeking to enter the nonprofit and philanthropic sector.”

Alling will grow the center’s PhilanthropyMatters programming; serve as a resource to the staff team, leadership council and university on how to add value to the philanthropic culture of Arizona and beyond; and aid the center in its mission to build the capacity of the social sector by enhancing the effectiveness of those who lead, manage and support nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.

About the ASU Lodestar Center

Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation educates, empowers and connects nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to accelerate social impact. Housed within ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and its School of Community Resources and Development, the ASU Lodestar Center believes that the quality of life in communities is enriched with impactful philanthropy and effective nonprofit leadership. For more than 20 years, the ASU Lodestar Center has provided education, research, practical tools and convenings to help nonprofit professionals, philanthropists and volunteers solve problems and realize their communities’ highest aspirations.

Written by Phillip Bencome, manager of strategic communications, Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Photo courtesy of Jacky Alling

This press release was produced by Arizona State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.