PRESS RELEASES

Bryant Group Places Associate Vice President for Advancement Services at University of Nevada, Reno Foundation

October 15, 2025 – Dallas-based executive search and leadership consulting firm Bryant Group conducted a nationwide search led by the firm’s Vice President, Search, Sarah Hempen, resulting in Samriti “Sam” Natt of Fullerton, CA securing the role of Associate Vice President for Advancement Services at the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation.

Ms. Natt is an accomplished leader in advancement services and operations. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Advancement Services and Operations. With a robust background in database management and strategic planning, she has successfully driven significant fundraising initiatives, including a remarkable 31% increase in donations during the 2020 fiscal year. Ms. Natt excels in fostering collaboration across teams, leveraging her expertise in data analysis and predictive modeling to inform strategic decision-making.

With a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Certificate in Data Science, she combines technical acumen with a passion for philanthropy, positioning her as a key asset in advancing institutional goals and enhancing stakeholder engagement.

“Sam Natt is exactly the transformational leader we envisioned for this role,” said Tracy Ostrem, Vice President for University Advancement. “Her track record demonstrates both technical mastery of advancement systems and the strategic vision to propel UNR forward.”

In her new position, Ms. Natt will lead and oversee the university’s advancement services department by ensuring research and prospect management identify high-potential donors, overseeing the timely and accurate recording of all donations by gift services, ensuring efficacy of gift compliance and administration, and overseeing the advancement technology team to maintain donor records.

“I’m honored to join the University of Nevada, Reno, and excited to help advance its bold vision for the future of philanthropy,” Ms. Natt said. “This is an incredible opportunity to bring together innovation, data and collaboration to strengthen donor engagement, and I look forward to helping build a strong foundation for the next era of advancement.”

About University of Nevada, Reno Foundation

The University of Nevada, Reno Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization separate from the University of Nevada, Reno. The Foundation was incorporated in 1981 to provide a mechanism for private individuals, corporations and foundations to make charitable gifts to the University. The Foundation receives, invests and administers funds to benefit the University, while honoring the philanthropic intent of its generous donors.

Advancing Great Leadership

Bryant Group, based in Dallas, Texas, and with associates located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership coaching for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder, Chris Bryant, started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm has a long history of recruiting, developing and coaching great leaders. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 300 organizations across the US and Canada.