Advancement Team

Get To Know Our University Advancement Team

ccu advancement team


Daniel LaBry headshot

Daniel LaBry

Vice President of University Advancement
Email: dlabry@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-3093

Daniel LaBry joined Colorado Christian University as the Vice President of University Advancement in September 2023. He is an accomplished nonprofit management executive and fundraiser recognized for his strategic thinking, contagious passion, and visionary know-how, underscored by a collaborative spirit and creative savvy. He has more than 30 years of experience as part of senior management teams in nonprofit settings with an international network of organizational and philanthropic leaders. He is committed to helping donors align their philanthropic goals and desires with University priorities and opportunities. Daniel will also lead and direct the CCU Endowment Foundation to secure the future of CCU for generations to come.


Amanda Grogan headshot

Amanda Grogan

Senior Director of Major Gifts
Email: agrogan@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-6511

Amanda Grogan joined Colorado Christian University as a Senior Director of Major Gifts in May 2022. As a seasoned development officer, her role is laser-focused on connecting and fostering Christ-centered relationships that advance God's mission for CCU. Amanda received her Bachelor of Music Education from Northern State University and her master's degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She comes to CCU from the University of Denver, where she served as Director of Development for the Daniels College of Business for four years. Before her time at DU, she spent seven years working with CU Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science advancement team and three additional years with CU System Advancement in annual giving which supported all four campuses. Amanda has been married to her husband Bill for more than 10 years and is the proud mother of her three children – William, Molly, and Evelyn. She loves singing, spending time with family and friends, and finding new restaurants in her spare time!


Mark Heckelmann headshot

Mark Heckelmann

Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Email: mheckelmann@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-3343

Mark Heckelmann joined Colorado Christian University as the director of major and planned gifts in August 2019. His role is to connect with those seeking to advance and support the mission of CCU and grow the Harwood Legacy Society. Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Kansas State University. Before joining the Advancement team, Mark served for four years as the annual fund manager at Valor Christian High School. Mark has been married to his bride, Ty, for over 30 years, who also serves at CCU as the campus development project manager. Both are passionate about Christian higher education. They are parents of two sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Mark is an active member of Wellspring Church and in his spare time loves to ski, play golf and tennis, cook, and garden.

 Learn more about Mark Heckelmann


Brian Wall headshot

Brian Wall

Athletic Director
Email: bwall@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-3187

Brian Wall earned his Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska/Kearney and did his undergraduate work in education at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Before coming to CCU, for 31 years, Wall served as the Superintendent of Faith Christian Academy, a K-12 Christian School which serves over 1,000 students. Wall took over the CCU athletic program in the Spring of 2017. CCU competes in one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the country; the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). CCU is the smallest NCAA Division II school competing nationwide and the only evangelical Christian school among the 15 RMAC member schools. With over 240 athletes in 15 sports at CCU, the athletic department has grown almost by 40 athletes in just 5 years. I am so grateful for the privilege of leading CCU Athletics as we seek to honor Jesus both inside and outside of our competitive venues. It is such a blessing to be able to support excellent CCU Coaches, staff members, and athletes as we "Dream Big, Pray Hard, and pursue excellence, that God may receive the glory!"


Kara Johnston headshot

Kara Johnston Mott

Director of Alumni and Parent Relations
Email: kjohnston@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-3320

Kara Johnston brings more than a decade-and-a-half of experience in higher education to her role at CCU. She previously served as the director of development and alumni relations at the Denver campus of Johnson and Wales University for eight-and-a-half years. Kara also spent seven years as the director of alumni relations and annual giving at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Kara spearheads several projects intended to deepen bonds between alumni, students and their families, and the University. She has been tasked with establishing a comprehensive and professional parent relations department for the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS). For the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS), Kara is developing an overarching effort to better connect CAGS alumni to their alma mater.

 Learn more about Kara Johnston


Matt Rummel headshot

Matt Rummel

Director of Data and Donor Services
Email: mrummel@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-3269

Matt Rummel has been with CCU since the late summer of 2014. During his time at CCU, he has assisted with a few different departments (the University's Dual Credit program, the Admissions department for the College of Undergraduate Studies, and the Office of University Advancement). In February 2018, Matt joined the Office of University Advancement where he assists the team in database administration and reporting. Matt obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a minor in athletic coaching, and a master's in secondary education from Grand Canyon University. He enjoys the beauty of our state and participates in many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, running, cycling, and camping.


Davina Vance headshot

Davina Vannice

Scholarship Coordinator
Email: dvannice@ccu.edu
Phone: 303-963-3197

Davina Vannice joined the Colorado Christian University Advancement team in July 2021. As the Scholarship Coordinator, she works directly with donors who are interested in establishing scholarships and walks them through the process. She also facilitates the donor/student relationship by hosting the Annual Scholarship Luncheon and encouraging communication between the donors and students. She previously worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in both Finance and Human Resources from 1989 to 2006. Davina felt called and blessed to be able to become a stay-at-home mom for the next 15 years. She is excited to rejoin the workforce here at CCU. Davina and her husband, Josh, have been married for over 25 years and they are the parents of four wonderful children. She brings a unique perspective to the Advancement team as the parent of two current CCU students and one CCU graduate. Davina loves spending her free time with family and friends.

Charitable Gifts

CCU accepts a variety of gift types, including cash, stocks, real estate, legacy giving, and more.

Advancement Team

Contact University Advancement for assistance with questions, donations, and legacy planning.

Gift Matching

If your employer offers a gift-matching program, you may be able to double your gift to CCU!

Colorado Christian University is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. CCU's tax ID number is 84-0442429.
View CCU's Capital Gift Administrative Allowance and Endowment Gift Administrative Allowance Policies.

University Advancement