Noel Vella

Executive Director of Advancement

Biography

Noel joins the St. Mary’s University advancement team as Executive Director for Law School Advancement. He brings with him more than 20 years of senior-level advancement experience, including serving as the Director of Development at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Director of Leadership Gifts at Texas Lutheran University.

Most recently, Noel was Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Texas Lutheran, where he led a team of gift officers and managed the planned giving marketing efforts. During his tenure at Texas Lutheran, Noel was a key part of the university’s 75 million dollar capital campaign, completing the campaign early and above goal.

Noel graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 1998 with a Master’s in Business Administration degree. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and is a member of and current board president for the Planned Giving Council of San Antonio.

Noel is married to Nilda, a 30+ year educator and currently the District Science Coordinator with Seguin ISD. Noel and Nilda have two adult children, Matthew, a graduate of Texas A&M-CC and, Natalie, a graduate of Texas Lutheran University. Away from work, Noel enjoys working out and playing golf.