Domer Caregiver Stories
Listen in to a conversation with LisaMarie Collins ‘07 J.D., Ray Fraser ‘19 MBA, Black Alumni Board Student Relations Director, Francesca Milles-Dave '01, and moderator LaDawn Burnett ‘12 J.D., Black Alumni Board Alumni Relations Director, about the joys and challenges of caregiving for our loved ones, through all the ages and stages.
Experience the Event
Friday, March 14, 2025 12:00 pm
Listen in to a conversation with LisaMarie Collins ‘07 J.D., Ray Fraser ‘19 MBA, Black Alumni Board Student Relations Director, Francesca Milles-Dave ’01, and moderator LaDawn Burnett ‘12 J.D., Black Alumni Board Alumni Relations Director, about the joys and challenges of caregiving for our loved ones, through all the ages and stages.
As our society faces the emotional, financial, professional, and spiritual pressures of caring for aging or sick parents, spouses, young children or other loved ones, many in our Notre Dame community may need support and practical advice.
Join the Black Alumni of Notre Dame for Caregiving with Dignity to:
- hear Domer caregiver stories,
- gain insight on caregiver mental health and wellness issues,
- get tips on financial and legal issues to consider when creating a caregiving plan for your loved one or yourself,
- navigate cultural concerns around making challenging care decisions,
- explore how to preserve generational family history and wisdom, and
- learn how to develop an all-hands-on-deck/nobody-left-out family caregiver approach.
Meet the Speaker: LaDawn Burnett '12 J.D.
A 2012 graduate of Notre Dame Law School, LaDawn Burnett was a member of the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, & Public Policy, president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), and Assistant Rector of Howard Hall (Go Ducks!).
LaDawn also serves as Region 5 Director for the Notre Dame Law Association (NDLA) Board. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors for the Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, which supports local CASA programs and leads advocacy efforts for abused and neglected children across Missouri.
Meet the Speaker: LisaMarie Collins '07 J.D.
LisaMarie Collins ’07 J.D. is a seasoned litigator with a robust complex commercial litigation practice. She has helped steer clients to successful resolutions in a variety of complex civil matters, and has a deep understanding of the litigation issues facing both public and private companies in a number of industries including, financial services, sports and entertainment, and health care.
LisaMarie frequently represents banks, broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, and industry executives in complex civil litigation, regulatory enforcement proceedings, and internal investigations involving securities, futures, derivatives, and employment related disputes. She regularly appears in state and federal court and before arbitration bodies such as FINRA, NFA and JAMS on such matters. She also provides representation in class actions and regulatory investigations.
In addition to her litigation practice, LisaMarie conducts high stakes internal investigations for companies. She has helped many clients investigate and respond to allegations of employer and employee misconduct, including issues relating to discrimination, harassment, trade secret theft, and unethical dealings. She also maintains an active employment practice, focusing mainly restrictive covenants, compensation disputes, and employment discrimination and harassment claims.
Prior to joining Mintz, LisaMarie was an associate in the litigation department of another large law firm.
Meet the Speaker: Ray Fraser '19 MBA
Ray Fraser ’19 MBA is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the startup ecosystem, both as a co-founder and an early employee.
In 2017, he joined LimeBike, an emerging IoT company backed by Andreessen Horowitz, focused on connected biking solutions for the growing micro-mobility market. Now known as Lime, the company has become an industry leader, raising over $2 billion in funding and achieving profitability.
Ray later joined Notre Dame’s venture fund as an Entrepreneur in Residence, where he co-founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Vital View Technologies. The medical IoT company develops connected solutions for the hospital-at-home market. In December 2023, it secured a $5.5 million seed extension round to accelerate growth one of the largest early stage medtech funding rounds that year.
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Ray is actively involved in the community and now works in the private equity space for Graham Allen Partners. He serves on the boards of the South Elkhart Regional Partnership and Notre Dame’s Black Alumni Board and mentors local entrepreneurs.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Richmond and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Fun facts: Former high school theatre performer, competitive ballroom dancer, Eagle Scout, and fitness enthusiast. Loves OrangeTheory, movies, and exploring new restaurants.
Francesca Milles-Dave '01
Francesca Milles-Dave ‘01 is a supply chain professional based in Harlem, NY, specializing in Transportation, Inventory, Vendor Management, and International logistics. Over the course of her career at industry leaders such as PepsiCo, Estee Lauder, and Unilever, where she currently serves as Senior Manager, Partnership & Performance – Frozen, she has earned numerous corporate awards for her contributions to operational excellence and global supply chain innovation. As the founder of 18 Clippership, Francesca helps startups navigate the complexities of scaling from “if” to “go” with her strategic insight.
However, it is her role as a dedicated caregiver to her mother and step-father that has truly been the driving force in her life. The challenges and responsibilities of caregiving have shaped her leadership, strengthening her resilience, empathy, and ability to manage competing priorities. The skills developed in this deeply personal role have provided her with a unique perspective and approach to her career. Caregiving has taught Francesca the importance of balancing long-term vision with the immediate needs of others, enhancing her problem-solving abilities and deepening her compassion. These experiences have become central to her leadership style, allowing her to approach both personal and professional challenges with a blend of strategy, empathy, and unwavering commitment. The lessons learned from caregiving fuel her passion for making a meaningful impact in her work and her community.