FEBRUARY 13, 2020 — Holly Gallo Richards, executive director of development in UTSA’s College of Business, died Feb. 8 following a two-year battle with a rare form of neuro-endocrine cancer.
She joined the college in 2017 and was instrumental in leading development efforts and as a member of the college’s advisory boards.
Richards hosted donors and corporate partners at meetings and events and had a passion for connecting people to the university. She began her career at UTSA in 2014 as the executive director of corporate and foundation engagement in the central development office. In that role she facilitated several UTSA delegation trips to Washington, D.C., to connect university leadership to key stakeholders.
—GERRY SANDERS, Dean and Bodenstedt Chair in the College of Business
“She fought a valiant battle and did it with grace and courage,” said Gerry Sanders, dean and Bodenstedt Chair in the College of Business. “It was an honor to be able to work with her. Even in the depths of her battle she always brought a smile and positive attitude to every conversation.”
Born in San Antonio, Richards relocated to Chicago with her family and attended Lake Forest College. She started her career in politics in Chicago before moving to Washington, D.C., to further her professional aspirations.
Richards had a passion for people and made friends easily and quickly. Her infectious laugh, carefree attitude and smile lit up a room. She made a lasting impact on all of the people who knew her, and she will be missed by her UTSA family.
Richards is survived by her husband, Jeff; her daughter, Ava Rose; her parents, Helen (Flores) and Oscar Gallo; her sister, Julie Gallo; her brother-in-law, Greg; and nephew Aiden.
She is also survived by a tremendous group of supportive and loving friends and neighbors. The family wants to thank all of the doctors and caregivers across the country, especially at UT Health San Antonio, her colleagues at UTSA and her friends who supported them through her journey.
In honor of her wishes, a celebration of life will take place in early spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cibolo Nature Center & Farm or The Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Condolences can be left for the family with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home.
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The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.
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Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
