The daily success of the McIntire School of Commerce relies entirely on the energy and dedication of professionals who work away from the spotlight. This year, the School highlighted that vital behind-the-scenes leadership by celebrating two institutional cornerstones who keep the community thriving day after day.
Mandi Crisp, Director of Major Events & Event Management, and Karen Gellner, Administrative Specialist in the Academic Program Support Office, have been named the recipients of the 2026 Franklin Outstanding Staff Member Award. Honored during McIntire’s Staff Day, Crisp and Gellner were selected from nominations gathered across the School, with final determinations made by a committee. Each will receive an award of $2,000.
Laurence C. “Larry” Franklin established an endowment with $50,000 in the spring of 2023 to fund the award, a generous gift matched dollar-for-dollar by the Commerce School. The honor annually acknowledges staff members who, through their everyday professionalism, cultivate an environment of courtesy, mutual respect, and academic excellence.
This Year’s Recipients
Crisp has been a cornerstone of the McIntire Advancement team for more than 20 years, having joined the Commerce School in October 2005. A native of Richmond, VA, she began her career as Stewardship Coordinator; when Rouss & Robertson Halls opened in 2008 and the volume of School programming grew substantially, she stepped into event management. Now, as Director of Major Events & Event Management, she oversees a portfolio that spans intimate donor gatherings; faculty workshops; and landmark institutional milestones, including the Founders Forum, the Connaughton Speaker Series, the Shumway Hall Grand Opening, and the COMMence program launch.
Katie Whittier, Associate Dean for Advancement and Executive Director of the McIntire Foundation, noted in her nomination that Crisp’s contributions go well beyond logistics. “She ensures that every detail is thoughtfully managed, resulting in seamless, high-impact experiences for University and School leadership, students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends. Even in high-pressure situations, Mandi remains calm and solution-oriented, setting the tone for those around her.”
Professor Mike Gallmeyer offered a complementary perspective, writing that what sets Crisp apart is her emotional intelligence and steady stewardship. “By modeling confidence and trust in her colleagues, she elevates the performance of everyone around her. She contributes to a culture of collegiality and excellence, not through title or authority, but through character.”
Gellner brings a different but equally essential kind of dedication to her role as Administrative Specialist in the Academic Program Support Office. Raised in Annandale, VA, she moved to Charlottesville in 2012. She first joined UVA as a temp for Facilities Management in May 2014, then was hired as a temp at McIntire two months later before becoming a full-time Commerce School staff member in November of the same year. Gellner has served as a central pillar of operational stability for the faculty. In addition to managing Canvas course sites, streamlining peer evaluations through Qualtrics, and managing shared resources, she contributes actively to both the McIntire Teaching Collaborative and the McIntire Art Committee.
Professor Katie McDermott described Gellner as “a true unsung hero of McIntire,” adding that “day in and day out, she works dependably behind the scenes to make sure we are all taken care of. All of this she does with grace, even as the demands on her office have grown significantly with the expansion of our undergraduate program. Karen’s humility and kindness help so many pieces of McIntire run smoothly.”
Professor Peter Maillet, a McIntire faculty member of more than two decades, wrote, “she is amazingly responsive, intuitive about the tasks that need to be done, proactive, and unfailingly a joy to work with. She has made a significant impact on not only my own professional efficiency, but the impact that my teaching has on students. She is truly a carrier of the culture that makes McIntire special.”
Reflecting on the Recognition
While colleagues emphasized both recipients’ professionalism and operational leadership, Crisp and Gellner framed the honor as a reflection of the trust and community around them.
For Crisp, two decades at the School have only deepened her appreciation for the collective effort required to execute complex projects. “Having built strong relationships with colleagues across the School over the course of 20 years is shown in the variety of incredible events that we have successfully produced,” she says. “No matter the size or scope of the event, I can turn to any number of colleagues who will step in to help at a moment’s notice.”
A passage from Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality has long guided her approach: that people will forget what you do and what you say but will never forget how you made them feel. “Those details may seem minor, but they’re what transform an experience into something memorable and meaningful.”
Gellner, too, finds daily motivation in collaborating with her faculty and staff colleagues. “I am inspired by the people I work with every day,” she says. “The camaraderie and the shared commitment to excellence at McIntire make my work both meaningful and rewarding.”
She reserves particular warmth for her immediate team in Academic Program Support. “My team is the best!” she enthuses. “We not only have each other’s backs, but we complement each other’s skills and personalities. We share an energy and collaborative spirit that make our office a welcoming spot to come for advice or answers.”
Together, Crisp and Gellner reflect the precise spirit the Franklin Award was created to honor: staff members who possess deep institutional memory, invest themselves fully in the life of the School, and, in doing so, make McIntire better for everyone in it.
