“I am excited to see both Kris and Clare join our executive leadership team,” said President Thomas S. Hibbs, Ph.D., BA ’82 MA ’83. “They both bring a wealth of experience and passion for UD’s mission that will serve the university well for the long term. In their short time with the university, they have already made tremendous contributions and have established cohesive and productive teams.”

Provost and incoming President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D., said, “I look forward to working closely with Kris and Clare to advance the goals outlined in our new Strategic Plan, which is so keenly focused on future growth. They will be key drivers to helping us build UD’s reputation and recognition in order to engage more prospective students and attract philanthropic investment.”

Vetter has served as assistant vice president of development since January 2020, overseeing efforts to build philanthropic investment to support and enhance academic excellence at the University of Dallas. In her new role, she will provide key leadership to UD’s philanthropic and engagement initiatives, leading teams in development, alumni and donor relations, and advancement services. 

Venegas has served as assistant vice president of marketing and communications since August 2020, overseeing a team of content creators and designers who manage university marketing materials, websites, social media, Tower magazine and other UD-branded communications initiatives. In her new role, she will lead a comprehensive strategic rebranding effort and expand the university’s visibility in key markets.

Bio: Kris Muñoz Vetter

Having served at multiple Texas universities during highly successful comprehensive campaigns, Vetter brings to the role two decades of experience as a higher education fundraiser and administrator. She began her career at the University of Texas at Austin in the Office of Planned Giving and later served as assistant dean for the university’s nationally ranked School of Architecture. In 2006, she joined the SMU Meadows School of the Arts as chief advancement officer, where she led the development, marketing and alumni relations teams and worked closely with the executive board and academic colleagues to raise $131 million in SMU’s Second Century Campaign in service to key institutional priorities. Vetter also served as the associate vice president for development and alumni relations at the University of Texas at Arlington, and most recently as executive director of Year Up in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Committed to advancing the mission of Catholic liberal arts education, Vetter was in the inaugural class of the University of Texas at Austin’s Liberal Arts Honors Program. At UT, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in architecture and art history and later earned an M.A. in art history from the University of Chicago. Vetter also completed Ph.D. coursework in Roman art and architectural history at UT Austin. She is married to Deacon Paul Vetter of the Diocese of Dallas, and they have one son, Noah, who is a junior at Cistercian Preparatory School.

Bio: Clare Venegas

Venegas started her career as a reporter and editor at the Orange County Register in Southern California, where she covered local government and community news. She went on to hold several positions in marketing and corporate communications in Orange County and Silicon Valley, including serving for five years as manager of communications and public affairs for Southern California’s largest toll-road system. 

Subsequently, Venegas served as president/executive director of Obria Medical Clinics, the largest network of life-affirming women’s health care clinics in Southern California. In this capacity, she oversaw day-to-day clinic operations and led development efforts for the nonprofit, which relies primarily on donations from private individuals and family foundations. Prior to Obria, Venegas served as the executive director of the Lincoln Club of Orange County, an influential business group whose members promote free-market policies and contribute millions of dollars to conservative political candidates and causes each election cycle. Most recently, she served as vice president at Curt Pringle & Associates, a public relations and government affairs consulting firm in Southern California. She and her husband, Matt, recently relocated to north Texas, and are proud parents to three school-aged children.