David Werda
Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development
Biography
David leads the revenue generation, business development, marketing, licensing, and bookstore teams within University Enterprises and Events. He is a key leader for Notre Dame, interfacing with colleagues from across the institution and serving as the University's primary relationship manager with Barnes & Noble College (BNC), Fanatics, and Lids. In addition to these partners, David works with Affinaquest, SalesForce, and other emerging strategic partners focused on revenue generation and strategic constituent engagement. In addition, David collaborates with Notre Dame's Athletics and University Relations divisions to envision and integrate a multi-channel constituent journey, inclusive of Experience Notre Dame, for the Notre Dame family.
Most recently, David served as Vice President of Business Development for Fanatics Lids College (FLC) where he led the development of new business opportunities as well as the cultivation of existing partner development opportunities. With over 17 years in the higher education retail sector, he began his career as a college Bookstore Manager and was later promoted to Field Training Manager, Assistant Director (Boston College), Area Director (University of Notre Dame), and then Regional Manager for the Great Lakes Region with the Follett Higher Education Group before becoming the Director of Campus Stores Strategy at Fanatics, Inc.
David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from American International College in Springfield, MA, where he was a 4-year football letterman and senior year captain. He is a member of South Bend/Mishawaka Leadership Signature Class 43.
David and his wife Katie hail from New England, and now live in Granger with their twin 10-year-old sons Maxwell and Calen, and their 2-year old silver lab named Easton. When not attending the boys' soccer or lacrosse games, David and the family like to cook and entertain, and spend time outdoors: skiing in the winter, and fishing, boating, and camping in the summer.