Molly McDonald

Molly McDonald serves as chief of staff to Santa Clara University President Michael E. Engh, S.J. Ms. McDonald’s responsibilities include: advising the President on University matters as well as external matters; serving as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees and liaison to the Board; managing staff, budget, administration, policies, procedures and operations of the President’s Office; serving as an ambassador to internal and external constituents; overseeing internal and external communications for the Office of the President; collaborating with senior leaders to further initiatives; and overseeing the University Event Planning and Protocol Office As a member of the senior leadership team, Ms. McDonald serves on the President’s Cabinet.

Ms. McDonald received a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University.

Prior to her appointment as Chief of Staff in 2011, Ms. McDonald served as Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at SCU. Before coming to Santa Clara University, she held the positions of General Counsel, Chancellor, and Director of Human Resources for the Diocese of Monterey.

Ms. McDonald serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose and previously served as Chair and member of the St. Christopher School Advisory Board. She and her husband reside in Willow Glen with their teenage son.