Cathy Blaney, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Chair of Fordham’s President’s Council

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Our guest is Cathy Blaney. The proud Fordham alum is Chair of Fordham’s President’s Council. She’s also a proud parent of Fordham Law School student, Hope Petralia. She joined Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2012 and serves as the Development Lead, heading up the organization’s fundraising and partnership development. Other roles include serving as Special Advisor to the President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and she’s the founder of CBlaney Group which is a nationally recognized fundraising firm in the political and not-for-profit world. This episode explores how philanthropy functions during crises and long-term humanitarian challenges, the importance of collaboration and accountability in giving, and how volunteerism and global experience shape values-driven leadership. The conversation also reflects on the role universities like Fordham can play in cultivating a culture of service and engagement.

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Holly Curtis

Assistant Provost for Corporate Relations at Fordham University

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hcurtis2@fordham.edu

Holly Curtis is an accomplished education leader, currently serving as the Assistant Provost for Corporate Relations at Fordham University. In this role, she fosters partnerships between academia and industry, driving innovative collaborations and advancing strategic goals. Prior to this, Holly was the Chief of Staff at Ascend Public Charter Schools, where she oversaw strategic planning for one of New York’s largest charter networks, and she also led MBA Admissions at NYU Stern School of Business.
With a strong background in strategic leadership, education management, program development, and recruitment, Holly’s career began in international development with Pencils of Promise in Laos. Her work there shaped her expertise in strategic planning and talent development.

Holly holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a BA in International Political Economy from Fordham University. She is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, and is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). She is also an alumna of NYU’s Global Inclusive Leadership Management Institute.

Martine van der Does

Helen Hamlyn Humanitarian Fellow and Global Program Director

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Work Location
  • Netherlands and Jordan
m.vanderdoes@fordham.edu
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Martine van der Does is a Dutch national and humanitarian expert with over 15 years of international experience. With a background in architecture she started her career working on humanitarian shelter at Delft University of Technology but soon moved to the field with Médécins sans Frontières (MSF) as a Construction Logistician. In 2010 Martine joined the Netherlands Foreign service where she worked in the Africa Department, Stabilisation and Humanitarian Aid Department and served as a Diplomat in Afghanistan and Jordan. In 2018 joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Myanmar where she worked in remote areas on protection and water and habitat issues. Until recently Martine was the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Netherlands Government in Amman, Jordan. 

Martine is academically involved as a lecturer at Delft University in the Netherlands and Fordham University in New York. In the past years she also ran the prestigious International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA) as a Course Director in Geneva. Martine holds a Master of Science Degree in Architecture from Delft University of Technology and a Masters of Arts Degree in International Humanitarian Action from Fordham University. In her time off she is an active cyclist, runner, and enjoys ultraraces.

She accepted a position as Helen Hamlyn Humanitarian Fellow at the IIHA in 2024.

Seriously considering the IDHA and want to learn more? Book an appointment with Martine on the left. 

Martine hosts Corporate Humanity, a podcast produced by Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs. 

Academic Background

Master of Science in Architecture (MSc) and Master of Arts in International Humanitarian Action (MIHA) and IDHA 24 

With the IIHA since: 2008

Current courses: IDHA and non-academic courses

In my free time I enjoy: Traveling, mountains, playing guitar and endurance sports such as long (distance) running, cycling, skiing and swimming. 

“In a world you can be anything, be kind to yourself and the people you work for and with. ”