UVA Darden Alumni Powering Student, Faculty Excellence Join Celebrated Group of School’s Most Loyal Stewards

A select number of donors have invested $1 million or more in the University of Virginia Darden School of Business over their lifetime. Last week, three new members joined this group of the School’s most loyal stewards, the Principal Donors Society:

Robert G. “Robin” Doumar, Jr. (MBA ’88) and Noelle C. Doumar. Robin is the managing partner and founder of Park Square Capital, LLP — a leading European private debt manager with $12 billion under management, providing senior debt, subordinated debt and mid-market direct loans with offices in London, New York, Frankfurt, Paris, Stockholm, Luxembourg and Seoul. A member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees, Robin has 30 years of experience in the credit markets. Robin and his wife, Noelle, are loyal members of the Hickory Club and the Darden Society. They have supported Darden in many initiatives — including their endowed Jefferson Fellowship, the Robert and Noelle Doumar Fellowship.

Bret W. Holden (MBA ’88) and Jeanne Marie Holden. Bret spent most of his business career in Europe, where he worked as an executive for British Petroleum before leaving to join a private equity–backed company with a European footprint as chief executive officer. Upon selling the company, the Holden family relocated to Charlottesville, where Bret has owned or actively invested in various private businesses — including a large Richmond technology company and a residential development and custom homebuilding business in Albemarle County. Bret and his wife, Jeanne Marie, are loyal members of the Hickory Club and the Darden Society. They have supported  Darden in many initiatives — including their endowed Jefferson Fellowship, the Home Paddocks Fellowship.

The Red Gates Foundation. This charitable foundation was endowed by the estate of the kind and generous Hunter Goodwin (MBA ’95), who died in 2020 at the age of 51. Although his ability to do so in life was cut short, Hunter wanted to help improve people’s lives through the responsible use of the assets he left behind. The Red Gates Foundation has supported the renovation of C. Ray Smith Alumni Hall on the Darden Goodwin Family Grounds in Charlottesville.

“The support of this newest class of the Principal Donors Society, those previously inducted and those who will be inspired to join the Society’s ranks will elevate Darden to greater heights,” said Dean Scott Beardsley.

Darden honors this extraordinary philanthropy on donor-recognition walls in the South Lounge and at the Sands Family Grounds at UVA Darden D.C. Metro.

“The donor walls and frieze are more than just a list of names,” said Michael Woodfolk (TEP ’05), president of the Darden School Foundation. “They’re a reflection of the Darden community’s strength.”

Now numbering 104, Darden’s Principal Donors have fueled student and faculty excellence at the School since the Society’s founding in 2003.

“The fruits of our Principal Donors’ investment in Darden are all around us in the form of scholarships, endowed professorships, new and remodeled facilities, and new programs for students in degree and non-degree programs alike,” said Martina Hund-Mejean (MBA’ 88), chair of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees.

These generous individuals and foundations have recently driven the success of Darden’s Powered by Purpose campaign, which is approaching its first milestone of $400 million.

Previously recognized Principal Donors who recently earned recognition at a new level of the Principal Donors Society include Donald E. Morel Jr. (TEP ’97) & Lauren Morel at the Rotunda Level ($2.5 million-$4.9 million in lifetime giving).

The Virginia Gentlemen performing at the Darden Principal Donors celebration