SNAPSHOTS

My brother and I lived with my parents for three years at Wende Correctional Facility outside Buffalo, NY. My dad was in medical school. In exchange for looking after prisoners’ health needs, my folks got free rent.

By the time my mom was 23, there were four little Cuffes running around. She worked nights while my dad was in school. After my dad got a real job as a doctor, my parents divorced. My mother became a single mom with kids aged 9, 8, 6 and 4. She never complained. Being raised by a selfless, hardworking, and loving human being is one of the greatest gifts of my life.

I’ve had the privilege during my career to build amazing teams of incredible talent—including (top to bottom) at the University of Portland, Providence Foundations of Oregon, the Providence Office of Philanthropy and the Providence National Foundation board.

I loved my time at the University of Portland where I was the university’s first female officer.

It was humbling and so incredibly special to introduce His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the University of Portland and meet with him in person.

My own mother always told me that “I could be anything I wanted to be” and I have instilled this in my girls (and my son) as well. I couldn’t be more proud of my kids as they have become adults. Here we were getting ready for our oldest daughter Erin’s wedding.

Mike served on the board of De La Salle North Catholic from 2014-2020. He said it was the most important school doing the most important work in our community. Our dear friends Mary and Tim Boyle made a generous gift to name the school’s new gym for Mike.