Gwen Nickolay Traynor '95: CDH Encourages Leadership Through Service
Greta Cunningham ‘23, Communications Intern
March 22, 2024
For Gwen Nickolay Traynor ’95, a Cretin-Derham Hall education was about two things: the ability to be a strong communicator and the encouragement to discern purpose for it. As a Prospect Research Analyst at the University of St. Thomas and CDH donor, she supports the Christian Brothers’ and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s mission: accessible Catholic education.
“I felt really nurtured at CDH, both as a student and as a person who was going to be released into the world. I was encouraged to explore any opportunities I wanted and felt supported when I did. I was being taught to leave and bring that knowledge out into the world,” she said.
Because of her own positive experience, Nickolay Traynor has chosen to send her own kids, Brigid Traynor ’24 and Ronan Traynor ’27, to CDH.
“I wanted my kids not only to be well educated but to have the ability and desire to serve other people. It’s really important to learn about how you can go out into the world and contribute, and I believe CDH has done that and continues to do that,” she said.
During her time at CDH, Rob Peick’s English class was ground zero for that kind of teaching.
“He was always so excited about whatever he was teaching and wanted to bring as many people as he could into every conversation. I think that was what was unique about him – he always encouraged his students to be leaders in service and get involved in the community,” Nickolay Traynor said. “I remember him jumping up on his desk during the first day of school to break the ice and get everybody excited and involved.”
That enthusiasm around writing stayed with Nickolay Traynor when she went to the University of St. Thomas to major in journalism and mass communications with minors in English and psychology.
“I think it’s always valuable when people can communicate through written word; it becomes another way to reach so many people. Being a strong writer opens a lot of job opportunities for people to explore,” she said.
After graduating, Nickolay Traynor got her background in nonprofit fundraising as a development assistant at Children’s Minnesota and St. Paul Academy and Summit School before returning to St. Thomas.
“I’ve enjoyed working with nonprofits because it's mission driven work for the greater good of the community. We have goals and metrics to meet, but it’s not about making money to produce wealth. Instead, it’s allowing students to have access to an education,” she said.
Nickolay Traynor contributes to this objective by connecting potential donors and gift officers.
“I like to describe it as putting together a puzzle. I’m gathering and organizing the information that will enable our gift officers to go out and have fruitful meetings with donors so they can be asked for the right kind of gift at the right time and in the right amount. People’s time is so precious, so we have to make the most of it. We get to see the evolution of someone engaging in our community and finding out what they’re passionate about supporting,” she said.
And she can personally relate to that community involvement and passion through her own support of CDH.
“My hope is to help provide access for students to attend so that they can become lifelong learners, find their interests, grow in their faith, and leave CDH prepared to make a difference and give back,” she said.
Your gift to CDH impacts each student through the many experiences offered — from an expansive, challenging curriculum to an extensive array of activities and athletics to a community where faith and values build a strong foundation.
Every donation makes CDH affordable for students and families.