Welcome to the Office of Advancement!

Our office is charged with an exciting variety of responsibilities, including fund-raising through various events and campaigns, alumni relations, parent relations (including oversight of the Harford Day School Parent Association commonly known as HDSPA), and community outreach. We take pride in getting to know all members of our HDS community, so please stop by and visit us anytime you're on campus.

The Office is staffed by three Advancement professionals.

Donna Decker, Director of Advancement

Donna, who previously was Harford Day School's Director of Parent and Alumni Relations, became the school's Director of Advancement in April of 2009. Donna has been associated with the school for over 20 years in many different capacities. As the Director of Advancement, she oversees all of the fund-raising aspects of the school including The Annual Giving Campaign, The Golf Tournament, The Arts Festival, and the Capital Campaign...Building Today. Ensuring Tomorrow. Donna's two children, Stephen and Natalie, are graduates of Harford Day's Classes of 2001 and 2007, respectively. Donna graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina with a B.S. in Business Management.

Susie Oursler, Assistant Director of Advancement

Susie Oursler is a parent of 1 current HDS student (Betsy, Class of 2014) and 3 alums (Tommy '11, Emily '08 and Kerry '06). In her role of Assistant Director, Susie works closely with Director Donna Decker on all duties of the Office of Advancement, with a focus as Director of the Annual Fine Arts Festival and coordinator of the Artist-in-Residency program. Susie also coordinates the Girl Scout troops here at Harford Day. Susie graduated from University of Maryland with a B.S. in nursing.

Carla Mattioli, Advancement Associate

Carla is a new addition to the Advancement Office, serving as a part-time Advancement Associate. A parent of 2 current HDS students (Erik, Class of 2014 and Ty, Class of 2018), Carla is a graphic design and marketing specialist. She has had her own graphic design business for more than 10 years and has produced many award-winning designs, including one for Harford Day School. In the Advancement Office, Carla is responsible for managing the database, gift processing, and making sure donors are thanked in a very timely manner.