SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word Athletic Director Richard Duran has added Ashley Winning Poronsky to the Cardinal staff as deputy athletic director, announced the department on Monday. Poronsky has more than 13 years of experience in collegiate athletics at the FCS, Group of Five and Autonomous Five levels.
 
"When looking for our next deputy athletic director, I knew I wanted to find someone with a proven history of fundraising/revenue generation success, a servant-leader who will uphold the mission and core values of UIW, and someone who shares my vision for UIW Athletics," said Duran. "I believe we hit a home run with Ashley joining our team, and I could not be more excited for her support and efforts as we work toward building champions in the classroom, community, and competition."
 
Poronsky joins the Cardinals following nearly two years at UTSA, where she was hired as the director of the Roadrunner Athletic Fund before being promoted to assistant athletics director for development in January 2020. As the assistant AD for development, Poronsky was responsible for the cultivation of 200 major gift donors and prospects for the $41.5 million Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence (RACE) capital campaign, as well as oversight of the Roadrunner Athletic Fund (RAF).
 
"I am thrilled to join the UIW team and be a part of Richard's dynamic vision for the future of Cardinal Athletics," said Poronsky. "This role positions me to make a meaningful impact on the San Antonio community and on the lives of 540 spectacular young people. I look forward to working with the administration, staff, coaches and fans to achieve tremendous success for this incredible institution."
 
In addition to managing a large portfolio of major gift donors, Poronsky was in charge of the UTSA Athletics' annual fund, guiding the department to an all-time high in revenue with $365,000 in philanthropic non-per-seat donations in 2019. Poronsky created a growth model that included a new loyalty points system, membership benefits updates and the Roadrunner Leadership Circle.
 
Poronsky drafted press releases and donor communications, in addition to coordinating department-wide projects with Roadrunners Sports Properties, marketing, media relations and the ticket office, to promote the development efforts of the RAF.
 
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic during the past eight months, Poronsky oversaw significant changes with donor seating and game day experience plans for football and basketball, while also spearheading a fundraising appeal to help with the financial impact of COVID-19.
 
Prior to arriving at UTSA, Poronsky spent five years with the University of Texas Athletics Department, first as the director of events and stewardship before being promoted and spending the final four years as the director of development campaigns and communications. Her primary responsibilities for the Longhorns included creating and executing a strategy for fundraising campaigns for the Longhorn Foundation as well as ensuring high-quality donor engagement for more than 15,000 Longhorn Foundation members.
 
Poronsky added over $2 million in annual donations and led three record-breaking membership drives at Texas. Additionally, she created marketing materials for five campaigns and three multi-year scholarship endowment campaigns that raised over $100 million.
 
Before joining the Longhorns, Poronsky was the assistant director of development, annual giving for the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, where she was responsible for the cultivation and customer service of 8,600 donors. She also managed a portfolio of prospects for the $150 million Forward Together capital campaign, securing capital gift agreements totaling more than $500,000.
 
From 2012-13, Poronsky was the director of development for the Southeastern Louisiana Athletics Department. While with the Lions, she handled the daily management of the Lion Athletics Association and philanthropic gifts to Athletics.
 
Poronsky started her Athletics career at LSU, going from a game management graduate assistant to a special projects assistant and ultimately a special events and community relations coordinator, where she oversaw the revitalization of the LSU National L Club and coordinated membership initiatives, programming and events for former letterwinners.
 
Poronsky has two degrees from LSU, a Bachelor of Arts in political science (December 2006) and a Master of Science in sports management (December 2008). She is married to 2005 Texas football National Champion offensive tackle Bradley Poronsky and has a stepson, Preston.
 
Katy Young Staudt of Ventura Partners assisted with the search.
 
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT ASHLEY PORONSKY
Ross Bjork
Director of Athletics, Texas A&M
"I had the good fortune to work with Ashley during our time together at Ole Miss and each time we interacted, I was always impressed with her positive attitude, great energy, and curious disposition about how she could always make the program better. Her skills and professionalism to build meaningful relationships have always made her a successful fundraiser, and she has the knowledge base to increase revenue and participation in the programs that she oversees. This is a great choice by UIW Athletics and I am thrilled that Ashley and her family can stay in San Antonio for this tremendous opportunity. Congratulations Ashley!"
 
Keith Carter
Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics, Ole Miss
"Including her time with us at Ole Miss, Ashley has a proven track record of success in development, and I look forward to seeing her excel in her new role at UIW. She is ready and deserving of this opportunity, and I'm proud to see her take this next step in her career."
 
Amy Folan
Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics, Central Michigan
"Ashley is a hardworking and talented administrator who has a diverse and impressive body of work. Her ability to make an impact and improve existing systems is one of her strengths, and I know she will be a huge asset to UIW. It is a great hire and they will all do great things together."
 
David Pierce
Baseball Head Coach, Texas
"UIW is getting an amazing addition to its department. Ashley was a huge asset to Texas in her role here and we know she will serve the student-athletes and athletic programs with a great deal of energy and passion. We are excited to see her continue to grow her responsibilities and know she will do an incredible job for the Cardinals."