DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGENEMT

Saydi served at Lacordaire for 13 years, first as a teacher, and now leading the departments of admissions, enrollment strategy, fundraising, communications, and community engagement. She is also a Lacordaire parent.

Saydi is pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Caldwell University. Her research focuses on parent decision-making, school placement, and inclusive practices for students with neurodivergent profiles. She is committed to building welcoming educational communities and aligning her mission with available resources.

In her spare time, she enjoys painting, skiing, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.

DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS

Denise Wagner has her BA from Dickinson College, and her MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  After a 20-year career in corporate lending, she started a new career in fundraising, spending ten years at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. 

Denise joined Lacordaire one year ago, where she is Director of Major Gifts and is working on expanding the financial resources for the school.  In her spare time, Denise enjoys gardening, bicycling, and traveling abroad.

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Renee graduated from Bowdoin College (a proud Polar Bear) with a degree in Art History and later received her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law. She began her professional career as a criminal defense and public interest lawyer. While raising her two children, Renee devoted countless hours to local nonprofits as a volunteer and board member.  She joined the Advancement Team in the summer of 2023 and supports our fundraising efforts and collaborates with the Parent Association.

Outside of work, Renee enjoys the outdoors, travel, reading, visiting her kids, and being an active member of Impact100 Essex, a women’s collective which gives grants to nonprofits addressing needs of the underserved in Essex County.