RAISE Podcast

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent welcomes Peter Wilch, Senior Vice President for University Advancement at Loyola Marymount University.Peter shares his journey from growing up as the youngest of nine in Mount Vernon, Iowa, to finding purpose in higher education fundraising. As a first-generation college graduate, Peter reflects on the transformative experience he had at Cornell College and how it ignited his commitment to pay it forward through philanthropy.He walks us through his early career—from financial services to an unexpected introduction to development—and highlights the transferable skills that helped him thrive as a gift officer. Peter shares lessons from formative roles at Grinnell and the University of Iowa, and explains how those experiences shaped his leadership at Cornell, the University of San Francisco, and now LMU.Peter also discusses how AI can empower fundraisers to focus on what matters most: building lasting relationships. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, healthy competition, and the shared wins that define great advancement work—like the $25 million Levy Foundation challenge gift that galvanized the LMU team and set a new bar for impact.Tune in to hear about Peter's approach to growing teams, cultivating lifelong donor relationships, and leading with humility, curiosity, and purpose.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Marie Schultz, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Texas at Arlington.Marie reflects on her journey from a first-gen student in Riverside, California to leading a 70+ person advancement team in one of the country's most dynamic public universities. She shares the moment a friend's brother told her she was “UC material,” how a student job in the development office changed everything, and the 27-year run that followed at UC Riverside—from prospect research to launching a successful capital campaign as Associate Vice Chancellor.Marie also talks about her leap to Texas and what it took to transform a team of 38 (with 20 open roles!) into a fully staffed, energized, and collaborative division ready to launch UTA's first-ever comprehensive campaign. Along the way, she unpacks lessons on team culture, cultivating emerging leaders, and what it means to "trust the process" when you're rebuilding from scratch.When asked what it means to be a great gift officer, Marie says it's about being genuine, following through, and sparking impact—not just for the institution, but for the donor, too.Tune in!

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Richard P. Virgin, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego.Richard dives into the intricacies of leading advancement at a Catholic institution, sharing insights on how mission and identity shape fundraising strategies and donor engagement. Drawing on his tenure at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and other leadership roles, Richard reflects on building high-performing teams and the unique challenges of advancement work in today's world.He also offers his perspective on the evolving expectations of donors, the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration within advancement, and the joys of working in San Diego—a city he proudly calls home.Tune in to hear Richard's thoughts on what it takes to be an authentic and forward-thinking leader in the advancement space!

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Richard P. Virgin, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego.Richard dives into the intricacies of leading advancement at a Catholic institution, sharing insights on how mission and identity shape fundraising strategies and donor engagement. Drawing on his tenure at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and other leadership roles, Richard reflects on building high-performing teams and the unique challenges of advancement work in today's world.He also offers his perspective on the evolving expectations of donors, the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration within advancement, and the joys of working in San Diego—a city he proudly calls home.Tune in to hear Richard's thoughts on what it takes to be an authentic and forward-thinking leader in the advancement space!

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent chats with Ashley Budd, Senior Marketing Director at Cornell University and co-author of Mailed It! Ashley shares her journey from student ambassador at RIT to leading digital marketing efforts in higher education, and offers insights on launching social media platforms and scaling strategies at Cornell.They discuss the importance of authenticity, empathy, and trust in email marketing, along with strategies for effective alumni engagement and stewardship. Ashley also shares lessons from her email-marketing-focused book, Mailed It, and advice for marketers looking to improve their strategies.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Thomas Chaves, Vice President for Advancement at Albright College. Thomas shares his journey in advancement, reflecting on his career in higher ed, Albright's approach to financial sustainability, and his passion for long-distance running.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent sits down with Wesley Stewart, Senior Associate Vice President of Development at the University of Oregon. Wesley discusses innovative strategies for fundraising in challenging markets, the power of mentorship, and her commitment to creating safe and supportive work environments in the advancement field.

Matthew J. Ter Molen has more than 30 years of expertise in development and fundraising. Prior to joining the RPI team in early 2023, he was the Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President at Syracuse University, where he served for more than eight years. In this role, he oversaw all alumni relations and development activities, including the planning, launch, and execution of the $1.5 billion University-wide campaign "Forever Orange," which raised more in private philanthropy than at any other time in Syracuse University history. Prior to Syracuse, Ter Molen held a range of positions at Northwestern University, the most recent being the Associate Vice President and Campaign Manager. Ter Molen's career began at the University at Chicago in their annual giving office. Ter Molen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Miami University in Ohio, and served in the Peace Corps in Honduras for two years prior to the start of his career in fundraising.

At the Rugers University Foundation, Mark Antonucci leads a division comprising alumni engagement, institutional giving and resource development, annual giving and stakeholder engagement, donor relations and stewardship, events, communications, systems and technology, records and research, human resources and training, and board management.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Derek Dictson, Vice President for University Advancement at Colorado State University.Derek shares his inspiring journey from the dot-com boom and bust in Seattle to leading major advancement initiatives at top institutions like Texas A&M and Auburn University. He delves into how his experiences in the tech industry have influenced his innovative approach to fundraising and donor engagement.Derek also discusses the unique structure of CSU's advancement model, which integrates presidential events and university ceremonies, and highlights the successful implementation of a new Salesforce-based database. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and AI to streamline processes and build meaningful donor relationships.When asked about his perspective on the future of advancement, Derek says, "We're just at the tip of the iceberg. The potential for AI to transform our work and make us more efficient is incredibly exciting. It's a brave new world, and we need to stay ahead of the curve."Tune in!

Nancy Jackson was appointed Chief Development Officer at the Kansas University Endowment, where she leads the organization's comprehensive efforts to build relationships with its philanthropic communities, including alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations, securing resources to support KU's mission in higher education.In her role, Jackson works closely with deans and development professionals across all KU schools and units to advance strategic priorities and raise financial support for students, faculty, research, healthcare, the arts, athletics, and community programs. A major focus of the Endowment is also engaging KU's vast alumni network.An accomplished development leader with a history of fostering high-performing teams, Jackson co-founded Generous Change, a consultancy focused on innovative fundraising strategies. Her previous roles include senior positions at Generous Change, the Capital Group, and various nonprofit organizations in California.Originally from California, Jackson holds a bachelor's degree from UCLA and completed her studies at KU. She resides in Kansas with her family, bringing her diverse experience and passion for philanthropy to her role at KU Endowment.

Since joining the University of Rochester, Tom Farrell has made significant strides as the Senior Vice President of Advancement, leading initiatives that emphasize empathy and the value of diverse experiences in higher education fundraising. Tom's unique journey began in Rochester, influenced by his father's progressive approach to education and his mother's dedication as a high school teacher. He initially pursued a double major in history and political science at the University of Rochester, followed by a career in financial services. Tom's varied roles, from gas station attendant to janitor, enriched his understanding of different perspectives, shaping his empathetic approach to advancement. His professional journey took him from the University of Buffalo to Dartmouth and the Ivy League, where he honed his skills in major gift and estate planning. Now, at the University of Rochester, Tom leverages his extensive experience to lead a mission-driven team, focusing on education, research, public service, and healthcare, while preparing for an exciting new campaign. Join us to hear Tom's insightful reflections on his career, the evolving landscape of advancement, and the critical role of empathy in building successful donor relationships.

Since joining UnityPoint Health, Jake Heuser has brought a wealth of experience and innovation to his role as Vice President of System Philanthropy. Jake's career began with leadership roles in Phi Delta Theta at Missouri State University, where his transformative experiences shaped his future in philanthropy. At Bradley University, Jake's strategic vision and deep connection with alumni and the Peoria community drove significant achievements, including multiple seven and eight-figure gifts, with a notable $10 million donation. Now at UnityPoint Health, Jake continues to innovate, successfully transitioning from higher education to healthcare philanthropy. In this episode, Jake shares his insights on leadership, the importance of deep connections, and his vision for the future of healthcare philanthropy. Join us as we delve into Jake's inspiring story and the impactful lessons he's learned along the way.

Since joining NC State University as Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, Brian Sischo has spearheaded numerous initiatives to strengthen the university's engagement and fundraising efforts. With a rich background in finance and development, Brian's journey began at Clarkson University, where he transferred after community college and continued to excel both academically and athletically.Prior to NC State, Brian held significant roles at Syracuse University, where he contributed to a billion-dollar campaign, and at Clarkson University, where he helped transform the institution's fundraising strategies.Brian's unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience has positioned NC State as a leader in higher education advancement. Listen to Brian's inspiring story and insights on the latest episode of The RAISE podcast.

Roger Divine is the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Operations at Pomona College, where he is instrumental in leading the digital transformation of the institution's advancement operations. Roger's journey into advancement is a testament to his diverse interests and relentless curiosity.Born in Detroit, Michigan, and having grown up in the Midwest, Roger's early years were marked by a passion for languages, spurred by a cultural exchange program in Spain during high school. This experience not only honed his Spanish skills but also ignited a lifelong interest in language and culture. Roger pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where he initially majored in computer engineering before switching to a focus on languages, ultimately studying Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese.Roger's career in IT began at the University of Michigan's Central Information Technology Division. His expertise in data and analytics led him to a pivotal role at the Ross School of Business, where he was instrumental in developing analytics and annual giving programs. This role marked his formal entry into the world of advancement.In 2015, Roger transitioned to the University of Southern California (USC), where he led significant advancements in data-driven decision-making within the university's advancement operations. His leadership at USC was characterized by fostering a culture of data utilization and proactive strategy, contributing to the institution's substantial fundraising achievements.Now at Pomona College, Roger is spearheading the college's CRM conversion to Salesforce, aiming to create a cohesive and integrated advancement ecosystem. His vision is to leverage technology, including AI, to enhance connectivity with alumni, families, and friends, ultimately driving the institution's mission forward.Roger's leadership style is marked by his emphasis on teamwork, continuous learning, and the strategic use of data to inform decision-making. He is passionate about using his skills to support philanthropic efforts and is dedicated to creating meaningful connections within the Pomona College community.In addition to his professional achievements, Roger is an advocate for lifelong learning and encourages others to explore their interests and passions. His journey from the Midwest to California and his varied experiences in language, technology, and education highlight his adaptability and commitment to growth and innovation in the field of advancement.

John Stark, President and CEO of the University of Wyoming Foundation, joins Brent on The RAISE podcast to share his fascinating journey in the world of higher education and fundraising. John's story begins with a move from Boston to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, sparking a lifelong connection with the University of Wyoming. In this episode, he reflects on his transition from law to fundraising, the pivotal role of relationships in his career, and the unique challenges and rewards of working in a small, close-knit community. Tune in to discover how John's innovative approaches and deep commitment to the university have helped shape its success and what lies ahead for the University of Wyoming Foundation. Don't miss this insightful conversation about leadership, resilience, and the power of community in the world of university advancement.

Since joining Marts&Lundy in 2016, Jim has provided strategic counsel to many schools and other organizations and conducted numerous campaign planning studies and development program assessments.Previously, Jim served as Chief Evangelist at EverTrue, helping hundreds of organizations understand how technology and innovation can transform their fundraising programs. His frontline experience in campaigns and as a leader of development programs allows him to form strategies that align operations and technology for exceptional results.Jim currently serves as Chief Advancement Officer at The Branson School. From 1993 to 2011, Jim served as Director of Development at Middlesex School, where he managed the then largest independent school campaign in history which raised $127 million. Jim's development career includes leadership roles at Francis Parker School, where he was Assistant Head for Institutional Advancement, Cate School, where he served as Director of Development, and The Lawrenceville School where he was the Director of Capital Programs. Jim began his career at his alma mater, Bucknell University. He later served as President of the Bucknell University Alumni Association and as a Bucknell trustee from 1998-2002.

Suzanne Hilser-Wiles, President, partners with GG+A clients around the globe to help them elevate their fundraising by offering more than 25 years of experience in advancement, program building, and campaign planning and implementation. Throughout her career, she has helped design, rebuild, and reimagine programs by applying her experience with a wide range of advancement programs and institutions. Her extensive previous professional experience includes fundraising, alumni relations, communications, and marketing. Suzanne joined GG+A in 2011 and was appointed to the firm's executive committee in 2013. In 2016, she became the firm's first woman president in its nearly 60-year history. In addition to her other responsibilities, she leads the firm's Europe and UK practice. She has worked closely with her clients through their individual challenges and opportunities, including ambitious campaigns, changes in leadership, crises, and restructuring. Suzanne has partnered with GG+A clients across all of the firm's sectors, providing strategic counsel to advancement teams and institutional leadership. This vast array of clients includes the Art Institute of Chicago; Carnegie Mellon University; Charlotte Country Day School; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Drexel University; Fuller Theological Seminary; IESE Business School; Indiana University; The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Pomona College; and Tate. Prior to joining the firm, Suzanne served as Vice-Chancellor for Advancement at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), overseeing fundraising, alumni relations and all marketing and communications for the university. She also served on an executive team advising the university's chancellor on all major policy decisions and as the primary staff member for the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees. Suzanne joined UNCSA from CancerCare, a national healthcare nonprofit based in New York City, where she served as Director of External Affairs. Before joining CancerCare, Suzanne served as Senior Development Officer for Corporate Annual Programs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she oversaw the Museum's annual corporate fundraising program and staffed the Museum's business committee. Previously, Suzanne served as Associate Director of Individual and Leadership Giving at the Museum of Modern Art. Suzanne began her career in institutional advancement with Pets are Wonderful Support in San Francisco, where she served as Director of Development. Suzanne received her Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a Master of Arts degree in arts administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She has served as a board member of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City; as a class agent for the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY; and as a parent fundraiser for Summit School in Winston-Salem, NC and The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA, among other volunteer positions.

Sergio M. Gonzalez joined Brown University as Senior Vice President for Advancement in 2017. He oversees all advancement areas across the institution, including development, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, international advancement, the Brown Sports Foundation, and the Brown Annual Fund. Before landing at Brown, Gonzalez served as Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs at the University of Miami from 2001-2017. He was the architect and leader of two successful fundraising campaigns that together raised more than $3 billion. Prior to joining the University of Miami, Gonzalez served in multiple roles in Miami-Dade County government, including Chief of Staff for the Miami-Dade County Executive Mayor, Director of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, and Executive Director of the South Florida 1999 Super Bowl Host Committee. Gonzalez is chair of the Board of Trustees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He also chaired the CASE U.S./Canada Regional Council. Gonzalez also chaired an annual CASE conference for Latin American university presidents and advancement practitioners over a number of years, and speaks frequently on the advancement profession to diverse audiences in the US and abroad. Gonzalez has a long history of civic service both in Miami and since coming to Providence. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and has served on the Board of Directors of UnidosUS, the largest national Hispanic advocacy and civil rights organization.Other past board service includes Belen Jesuit Prep School in Miami, the Orange Bowl, Breakthrough Miami, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. In Providence, Gonzalez served on the board of the Trinity Repertory Theater and currently serves on the board of the Wheeler School.

Prior to joining Carolina in 2023, Andreasen served as senior vice president for university advancement at the University of Oregon, overseeing all aspects of advancement including development; state, community and federal affairs; advancement operations; stewardship and public events and alumni relations. During his tenure, he consistently increased annual fundraising totals and secured some of the largest donations to any public flagship university.Andreasen began his time at UO as the vice president for development, leading efforts to establish campaign priorities, setting a working goal of $1.2 billion and developing a communications plan for the public launch in collaboration with the president, executive leadership and deans. Over 12 years, he served as a member of the University of Oregon Foundation Board, the Alumni Association Board, the Portland Business Alliance Board and the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce.Prior to joining UO, Andreasen was at the University of Michigan for seven years — first as executive director and assistant dean for advancement for development and alumni relations and then as executive director and assistant dean for advancement at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. His more than 32 years of fundraising experience include roles in major gifts and campaign leadership at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the American Film Institute. He began his career as the director of the annual fund for the University of California, Irvine, where he also earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

Jeff Webb, U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1995, is President and CEO of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. Prior to assuming this role, Jeff spent 15 years in the wealth management industry. In his most recent position as a Principal with Bessemer Trust, he led new client development efforts in a four-state region. Before joining Bessemer, he served in a similar capacity with J.P. Morgan. He previously served as a vice president of Business Development for a renewable fuel company and was the general manager of a group of luxury automotive franchises in Virginia. Jeff spent five years in Naval Special Warfare. He served as a SEAL Platoon Commander as well as a Task Unit Assistant at SEAL Team Eight. He deployed twice aboard EISENHOWER in those roles and operated in Europe and the Middle East. He served as an Assistant SEAL Platoon Commander at SEAL Team Four, where he deployed to Latin America. Jeff co-founded Run to Honor, a nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating the memory of Naval Academy alumni lost in combat or training operations. He was an elected trustee of the Naval Academy Alumni Association (2011-17) and served on the Naval Academy Superintendent's Memorial Oversight Committee (2010-22). He also served as a director of Students Run Philly Style, a nonprofit that trains and mentors high-risk high school youth through the completion of endurance running events. Jeff earned a B.S. in Ocean Engineering from the Naval Academy, where he was captain of the cycling team. He later earned an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. He is married to Shannon Revell Webb, a 2004 Naval Academy graduate and a former EOD Officer. They have four children, all named in honor of Naval Academy graduates. The Webb family resides in Annapolis.

Mark Delos Reyes Davis is Vice Chancellor for University Relations at UC Santa Cruz and President of the UC Santa Cruz Foundation. He leads the university's external engagement efforts overseeing raising philanthropic support, strengthening relationships with university stakeholders, and promoting the good work of the campus.Davis has spent more than two decades in higher education administration with responsibility for driving a wide range of initiatives. He previously served as senior adviser to two university presidents and has overseen alumni relations, international relations, executive communications, and campaign planning. Prior to joining UC Santa Cruz in 2020, he served as the associate vice president for university advancement and campaign director at Carnegie Mellon University and held senior roles at Rice University.

About Alex: Alex Lawrence is currently the Executive Director for Advancement Leadership Lab. Her role focuses on ALL's growth strategy, alumni experience, and overseeing our board of directors and stakeholder partnerships. Alex is no stranger to the leadership lab as she developed the pilot curriculum in 2018, and is thrilled to be back in this role as the organization continues to expand its impact. Her career has challenged her to consistently act like a start-up operator: developing people and structuring culturally competent organizations from the ground up.Alex started her career as an HR consultant for SPX, an international manufacturing company. She led projects in recruiting and mergers and acquisitions in Charlotte, NC and Battle Creek, MI, talent and organizational development in Dusseldorf, Germany, and labor negotiations and employee relations in Delavan, WI and Ocala, FL. This HR work led to a passion for building the talent pipeline and she transitioned to Red Ventures, a marketing acquisition company in Charlotte, NC. Alex led college recruitment strategy and execution at target universities to hire 50 analyst and web developer associates a year. She handled new associate onboarding and career trajectory plans, as well as recruited for HR, finance, and computer engineering roles at RV. Recruiting college talent led Alex back into the classroom at The Ohio State University. During graduate school, Alex held a role in Student Life Advancement, focusing on student philanthropy and leadership development. She stayed at the university post-graduation working as Project Manager for the President and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association. In this role, Alex handled administrative duties and projects for the CEO, while acting as a communications partner for department leaders across the alumni association and Advancement. Her family later took her to Phoenix, AZ where Alex worked for an international access-to-education non-profit as the Director of Communications and Marketing, traveling between the U.S. and Arusha, Tanzania. As mentioned above, she then had the opportunity to work from Phoenix to develop the inaugural curriculum for the Advancement Leadership Lab in 2018, and launch the pilot program across 10 universities.In 2019, Alex had the opportunity to return to Columbus, leading organizational operations as Chief of Staff for the Ohio State Alumni Association and stayed on as an advisor for the Advancement Leadership Lab. Transitioning to the Advancement Leadership Lab over the last year as its own 501c3 has been an exciting opportunity, combining Alex's experience in human resources, leadership development, and business operations to build the foundation for an impactful and sustainable organization.Alex has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and Counseling Psychology from Elon University and a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration from The Ohio State University. She lives in Columbus, OH with her husband, Danny, and puppy son, Larry. Alex enjoys her side gigs of interior design clients and teaching at CorePower Yoga.About Michael: A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Mike Eicher began his career in higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he rose from associate director of development in the School of Medicine to deputy director and director, and from there to vice provost for medical science development, then assistant and associate vice chancellor. Under his leadership as vice chancellor, Campaign UCLA, a 10-year effort completed in 2005, raised $3.05 billion. Prior to joining Ohio State, Mike served for six years as senior vice president for external affairs and development at Johns Hopkins University, where he led the Johns Hopkins: Knowledge for the World Campaign. That effort focused on student aid and faculty support, construction of clinical buildings at the medical campus and important renovation projects. It closed in 2008 with commitments of more than $3.7 billion. Mike returned to a public university because he believes in its noble mission and great power. He joined Ohio State in fall 2012 as senior vice president for Advancement and president of The Ohio State University Foundation. Building on his goal to inspire people to choose Ohio State – for their education, medical care, research support, entertainment and more – he has set out to share the university's most compelling stories, engage more than half a million alumni, and expand private philanthropy to support Ohio State's core priorities. Under Mike's direction, Ohio State streamlined and integrated its communications and marketing, alumni relations and fundraising teams. He led the But for Ohio State Campaign, which raised over $3 billion from more than 750,000 donors and became the university's most successful fundraising effort ever. Mike built upon that momentum and, along with his team, planned and launched Time and Change: The Ohio State Campaign in fall 2019. While its financial goal is the largest in Ohio State's history — $4.5 billion focused on student success; discovery; and healthy, vibrant communities — what truly sets this campaign apart from all others is its goal to engage 1 million supporters, which is unprecedented in higher education. Mike is focused on organizational growth, health, and wellness, which led to Advancement's establishment of a chief diversity officer position and the Advancement Inclusion Council. Both serve as resources by providing personal and professional development opportunities for staff. Mike's commitment to putting people first has been instrumental in the transformation of Advancement during his tenure. He lives in Columbus with his wife, Inez, and travels frequently. They have two grown children: Brandon Eicher (Kate) and Christine Peterson (Shane). They also have three young granddaughters who they love to spend time with.

Scott Rabenold was appointed Senior Vice President for university advancement at the University of Southern California in February of 2023. In this capacity, he leads the university's comprehensive efforts to build relationships with its philanthropic communities, including alumni, friends, corporations and foundations, and to secure resources to ensure the university's global leadership in higher education.As the leader of the Advancement Division, Rabenold works closely with the deans and advancement professionals across every USC school and unit to advance the university's strategic priorities and raise financial support for students, faculty and research, health care, the arts, athletics, community programs and many other initiatives. The USC Alumni Association, which builds programs to engage more than 463,000 USC alumni worldwide, is also a major focus of the Advancement Division.An accomplished development leader with a history of building high-performing teams, Rabenold comes to USC from the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as vice president for development since 2016. During his tenure, the university launched the $6 billion “What Starts Here” campaign.Previously, he served as vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs and in other leadership roles at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Earlier in his career, he worked at Wake Forest University and the University of Memphis.A native of Iowa, he holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from Drake University. He and his wife, Sarah, reside in Pasadena with their four children, Spencer, Sam, Senait and Suri.

Fritz Schroeder became Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations in October 2012 and has served Johns Hopkins for more than 23 years in a series of senior management roles.He provides leadership and oversight for all fundraising and alumni efforts of the university and Johns Hopkins Medicine, and serves as the institution's chief fundraising officer. He was responsible for planning and executing the recently concluded Rising to the Challenge campaign, which received more than $6 billion in commitments.Schroeder joined Johns Hopkins in 1996 as Director of Annual Giving and became Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations in 2000. During this time he had responsibility for alumni outreach and for annual giving programs, serving as the Executive Director of the Alumni Association.In 2004, Schroeder became Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, with a promotion to Senior Associate Vice President in 2006. He shared responsibility with deans and directors for the university's decentralized fundraising operations in the schools and other units; provided leadership for centralized development support offices; and took the lead on strategic planning, budget planning and oversight, trustee stewardship, prospect strategy development, and general organizational issues.Schroeder joined Johns Hopkins from the University of Maryland at College Park, where he had served since 1989 in a number of roles, including Director of Annual Giving from 1993 to 1996.He is a frequent speaker and conference leader, serves as a trustee of CASE, and is the author of the 2000 book Annual Giving: A Practical Approach as well as several other fundraising chapters. In addition, he is currently leading an effort to develop a more consistent advancement curriculum through the work of a task force established by CASE in the fall of 2017.Schroeder is a 1989 graduate of James Madison University. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1994.

Rhea Turteltaub is the UCLA Vice Chancellor, External Affairs. She oversees one of the nation's leading advancement organizations, a diverse and integrated department comprised of Alumni Affairs, Development, Advancement Services, Government & Community Relations, Employee & Organizational Engagement, as well as the UCLA Alumni Association, and the UCLA Foundation.Over the course of 7.5 years, Rhea led the $5.49 billion Centennial Campaign for UCLA. The Campaign concluded in December, 2019 – in the midst of UCLA's 100th anniversary celebration. During the initiative, nearly 220,000 donors from all 50 states and 98 additional countries contributed more than 574,000 gifts, helping to shepherd another century of groundbreaking achievements in teaching, research, and service. She is now in the preparatory phase for UCLA's next campaign.Prior to her arrival at UCLA in 1994, Rhea held leadership roles at Otis College of Art and Design and The University of Chicago, as well as campaign positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and her alma mater, Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where she served on the Board of Trustees for twelve years.

Barry Benson, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, is the senior fundraiser and responsible for managing frontline advancement efforts for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Serving on the Chancellor's Executive Leadership Council, Vice Chancellor Benson, who also holds a Senior Vice President title at the University of Illinois Foundation, leads a team of approximately 275 advancement professionals both centrally and within over 20 colleges/units.Benson is an experienced advancement professional who relocated with his wife and three daughters (two of whom attend UIUC while the youngest is a senior in high school) to Urbana-Champaign from the University of Arizona in March 2017. In Tucson, AZ, he served for nearly a decade in escalating capacities culminating in the role of Senior Vice President for Development where he was responsible for successfully achieving a $1.5 billion campaign goal two years ahead of schedule and while overseeing all central campaign activities, marketing and communications, planned giving and regional development for the University of Arizona Foundation. Benson also has extensive experience leading successful college-based advancement programs in business and engineering. Vice Chancellor Benson is active in the advancement industry participating in various leadership capacities and speaking engagements. In addition to his higher education experience, Benson also is an active civil servant having served on various nonprofit community boards.A finance graduate and former collegiate baseball letterman from the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO), Benson also holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University (Ft. Collins, CO) and is a former Certified Financial Planner practitioner who values spending time with family and friends while also enjoying the outdoors golfing, skiing, and doing yardwork (yes, it's true).

About Jake Logan:As the vice president for Institutional Advancement at UTEP, Jake Logan leads the dedicated teams in the areas of development, advancement services, and alumni engagement.He has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, with more than 15 of those in higher education. Most recently, he served as president of the Ball State University Foundation and vice president for University Advancement, where he provided strategy and guidance for development, advancement services, alumni engagement, and the BSU Foundation, including managing the institution's endowment.Jake also served as assistant vice chancellor for University Programs at the University of Missouri, where he managed most of the university's central fundraising functions, as well as the endowments team.Other previous roles included executive director of development at the University of Oregon School of Law, and work as a development officer for his alma mater, the University of Florida, in the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering.Jake began his career in philanthropy with the American Heart Association, earning national recognition for his pioneering work in online fundraising strategies. He ultimately became vice president for Field Development before leaving for academic advancement.He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a Master of Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon.Since arriving at UTEP in May of 2020, he has made his home here in El Paso with his wife Sheena, their two children, Mills and Maisie, and their three dogs. Jake also has an older son named Max, a computer scientist who lives in the Austin, TX area.About Annie Quade: Following almost a decade in higher education advancement and a variety of roles that span the engagement pipeline, Annie Quade serves as the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Strategy, Talent & Culture at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).Overseeing their integrated engagement team, talent, and people operations, Annie is responsible for enterprise engagement and the overall growth strategy for the division.Annie graduated from the University of Missouri, where she received a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's in public health. Prior to joining UTEP, she worked in frontline fundraising for her alma mater, first as a regional and planned giving officer and then as director for the School of Law.When she's not working, you can find Annie chasing after her two toddlers, tending to their hobby farm, or (hopefully) catching a few moments of quiet and calm with her husband, John.

Joe Manok is the Vice President for University Advancement at Clark University where he provides executive leadership to all aspects of fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, and alumni engagement.Prior to joining Clark, Joe held senior-level positions for eight years in the Office of Resource Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of the MIT's $6.2 billion Campaign for a Better World. Most recently serving as senior director of philanthropic partnerships. Before joining MIT, Joe worked between 2003 and 2014 at the Office of Development of the American University of Beirut (AUB). He served as associate director of development for major gifts and advancement services in New York, and as the assistant director for development services in Beirut.Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in computer science from AUB and is working toward his Master of Science in nonprofit management from Northeastern University. He is a certified fundraising executive through CFRE International and completed an executive certification in strategy and innovation at MIT's Sloan School of Management. He sits on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Massachusetts and has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with the Rising Star Award for his consistently high level of professional achievement and commitment to the advancement profession.

Telly McGaha is the Interim President of the Georgia State University Foundation and the Co-Interim VP for University Advancement. In this role, he is responsible for leading the fundraising and engagement operations for the University and working directly with the President and Foundation Board of Trustees as the institution's Chief Development Officer.Prior to this interim appointment, Telly served as the Associate VP for University Advancement, working with a team of nearly 20 major gifts officers to raise funds for eight different GSU colleges and schools. Telly joined GSU in 2017 as the lead fundraiser of the Honors College, before being promoted to the Associate VP for University Advancement in 2020. Previously, Telly worked as the Senior Director of Development for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He has amassed over 20 years of experience in securing significant philanthropic support for various organizations in Washington DC, Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.Telly joined Georgia State University in 2018 to oversee the philanthropic outreach and support of the Honors College. Previously, Telly worked as the Senior Director of Development for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He has amassed over 20 years experience in securing significant philanthropic support for various organizations and institutions, such as Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, among others.Telly is a native Kentuckian and has lived in Baltimore; Cincinnati; Montpellier, France; and Washington, DC. He enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling.

Shaun Keister became UC Davis' first vice chancellor for development and alumni relations in 2011 and functions as the campus's chief development officer, leading a team of over 300, and president of the UC Davis Foundation. In his role as vice chancellor, Keister also serves on the Chancellor's Leadership Council. He led UC Davis in completing its first comprehensive campaign raising more than $1.13 billion from 110,000 donors. He led the planning and recent execution of the university's $2 billion Expect Greater campaign launch. Previously, Keister served in leadership development roles at Penn State, Florida State, and Iowa State. Keister is an active member of CASE, having both chaired and participated in many district, national, and international conferences. He is a recipient of the CASE Crystal Apple award in recognition of his outstanding performance at CASE international educational programs. Most recently, Keister has served on the CASE Philanthropy Commission. Keister has a bachelor's degree in political science from Penn State and a master's and doctoral degree in sociology from Iowa State.

With 30 years of fundraising experience, Magnus Johnsson has led fundraising in large non-profits and presently works at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He was appointed in 2015 as senior associate vice president of presidential and university philanthropy. In this role he strategically leads the university's development efforts in principal giving, presidential engagement, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and regional major gifts.Serving on the senior leadership team of VCU's $841M Make It Real Campaign the effort achieved more than 112% of its $750M goal when it concluded in 2020 with 113,000 donors participating, including 73,000 first time donors. Previously he served as the executive director of external relations and development for the university's school of education. During Magnus's tenure at VCU he has notably seen the development program evolve from decentralized to hybrid and just recently to one that is now fully centralized.As an undergrad student at James Madison University pursuing a degree in public administration and nonprofit management he received his first exposure to fundraising during a summer internship preceding his senior year. An early mentor urged Magnus to apply for his first fundraising job shortly after graduation. Prior to joining VCU in 2007 spent the early part of his career building fundraising programs and gaining early leadership and managerial experience at United Methodist Family Services and the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. In 2010 he completed a Master in Public Administration from VCU.Magnus is engaged in his community serving on the board of Home Again, a homeless services agency in the Richmond area focused on rapid rehousing. Living in Richmond's historic Fan District in walking distance from the VCU campus, Magnus enjoys tennis, building his ever-growing vinyl music collection, and any and all travel, including annual visits to his family in Finland.

Betsy Feeny has served as a vice president of development since 2022. She works directly with the Bloomington lead development officers, core academic schools, and programs that support a variety of fundraising initiatives.Betsy joined the Indiana University Foundation in 2014 as the senior director of development, Principal Gifts before moving into the role of vice president for development, Regional Campuses, in 2019. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as director of development, corporate and foundation relations, at the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington and, earlier, as communications and development assistant in IUPUI's Division of Student Life. Prior to her time in higher education, Betsy was in the corporate sector as an account manager for Procter & Gamble Company in both Chicago and Boston.Betsy is an Indiana University graduate having earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from the Kelley School in Bloomington and her Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

As Vice Chancellor for Advancement and the Executive Vice President of the UC San Diego Foundation, Ann Spira holds the overall managerial responsibility for all university fundraising campaigns and transformational initiatives. In addition, Ann provides the strategy and facilitation of the top-tier volunteer leadership for the Campaign for UC San Diego, which successfully concluded at $3 billion.Ann joined UC San Diego after a 30-year career in the performing arts, most recently as Deputy General Director of San Diego Opera. A natural innovator of marketing and development programs, Ann helped propel San Diego Opera into an internationally recognized company, hailed for both artistic and fiscal excellence. Responsible for leading the revenue team and board development units, she created a $100M long-range strategic plan and led the ongoing recruitment and leadership of the 60-member Board of Directors, one of the most highly contributing and respected Boards in the region.

Daniel "Dan" Frezza is chief advancement officer of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the College of Charleston Foundation. He began this position in February 2023.Frezza leads an organization of professionals engaged in a coordinated, campus-wide approach to university development, alumni relations, stewardship and advancement services in efforts to establish and grow a culture of engagement and philanthropy. He is also responsible for overseeing institutional funds management and growing the endowed funds held for the College by the College of Charleston Foundation. He serves as a member of the president's cabinet and works in close partnership with the president, provost, executive team, deans and volunteer boards.Before joining the College, Frezza served as associate vice president of strategic operations and annual giving at William & Mary and the chief strategic operations officer for the William & Mary Foundation. Frezza's leadership was instrumental in many of William & Mary's most recent philanthropic achievements in their billion-dollar For the Bold campaign, especially in the areas of alumni participation and engagement. Before joining William & Mary in 2011, Frezza was the director of annual giving at Appalachian State University and, prior to that, assistant director of alumni programs at East Carolina University.Frezza has a master of education in higher education administration from North Carolina State University and a bachelor of science in communication with a minor in business from Western Carolina University.Education2006: M.E., Higher Education, North Carolina State University2004: B.S. Communication, Western Carolina University

Brittney Snyder is the Assistant Vice President for Unit Development at the ASU Foundation where she leads a team of fundraising professionals who are embedded within colleges at ASU. Brittney provides vision, strategy, and support to fundraising teams in advancement of the ASU charter.With more than 12 years of industry experience, she has demonstrated expertise in the areas of major gifts, grants, parent philanthropy and annual giving. Most recently Brittney served as the Sr. Director of Development for Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Brittney has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and her Master's in Flute Performance.

Eloise Dunn Brice joined the University of Houston System in 2012 as vice chancellor for advancement for the University of Houston System and vice president for advancement for the University of Houston. Eloise is responsible for overseeing UHAA, fundraising, and volunteer engagement. Additionally, she serves as a member of the President's Cabinet. She leads a system wide organization of over 175 employees, with private support of $202 million in 2019.Prior to joining the University of Houston team, Eloise held leadership positions at the University of Oregon, Pennsylvania State University, and Vanderbilt University. She also served as a higher education fundraising consultant at Grenzebach Glier & Associates. Eloise is the author of "Don't Make Me Fundraise! A Guide for Reluctant Fundraising Volunteers," which was published in 2020.

Tamara Michel Josserand has more than three decades of successful experience working in institutional advancement, strategic leadership and stakeholder management roles. She currently serves as the vice president for development at the University of Washington. In this role, she leads the university's fundraising efforts by partnering with the development team and University, philanthropic and civic leaders to galvanize support for the UW's vision, mission and values.Prior to joining the UW in 2022, she led advancement at the University of Redlands in California, where she successfully completed an historic $206 million comprehensive campaign. Prior to that, she held key roles and leadership positions at the University of Illinois at Chicago; the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Chicago; Northwestern University; and Yale University. She also served as a senior consultant for the national fundraising consulting firm, Campbell and Company, and over the years, has provided support and strategy for numerous not-for-profits, as well as large and small colleges and universities across the country.Tamara has a breadth of experience leading development efforts at both public and private institutions, and a deep belief in the value of higher education, passion for student success, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.Tamara earned her B.A. in Government from Connecticut College, and a Master of Education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. She also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

With over 30 years of experience in higher education advancement, David Lively has directed successful development strategies across five comprehensive fundraising campaigns. Lively joined Northwestern University in January 2012 and in his current role managed "We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern," a $6.1 billion University-wide fundraising campaign. At Northwestern, he oversees a team of 60 development professionals responsible for principal gifts, regional and international major gifts (including offices in New York and San Francisco), and gift planning.Lively earned a bachelor's degree in history from Southern Methodist University, a master's degree in history from Colorado State University, an MBA from the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business, and a certificate from the Management Development Program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. In April 2017, he authored Managing Major Gift Fundraisers: A Contrarian's Guide (published by CASE).

Jenna Goodman is Co-Founder & CEO of Generous Change. As a fundraiser, she managed the largest team at KU Endowment, contributing toward a record total for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences in a $1.6B campaign. Previously, she raised funds for her alma mater, the University of Central Missouri. While still in college, she bought, ran, and sold a drive-thru espresso shop.

Justin Fincher is Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Stony Brook Foundation. Reporting directly to President McInnis and serving as a member of her senior management team, Fincher provides leadership for the university's development and alumni relations operations.Since 2013, while at Ohio State University (OSU), Fincher has been responsible for strategy, operations, and resources to mobilize multibillion-dollar campaigns effectively and engage hundreds of thousands of alumni and donors in developing philanthropic support for the institution's mission and goals. In that role, he manages a team of 125 staff and cultivates philanthropic support for academic departments and medicine. He led the successful conclusion of OSU's previous $3 billion campaign, one that engaged 750,000 donors, and oversaw the planning and launch of its latest $4.5 billion campaign. He served as Chief Operating Officer of the OSU Alumni Association and worked closely with its board, and is providing interim leadership for the 80-person fundraising team for Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center and Health Science Colleges, which raises $200 million annually. Before his work at OSU, Fincher held leadership roles at Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University.A higher education leader with a growing national reputation in the advancement profession, Fincher is an active volunteer leader in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He also developed and leads the Advancement Leadership Lab, a joint venture of nine public research universities to accelerate the growth of senior leadership in their advancement organizations.

Bill Miller is passionate about working with nonprofit organizations. He has assisted regional, national, and international organizations with major gift initiatives, annual giving programs, planning and feasibility studies, development audits and philanthropic capability assessments, endowment programs, board training and development, corporate and foundation relations, prospect research, and campaign management. During his career, he has been involved with fund development projects that have raised more than $1 billion.Bill has received a number of awards for his contributions to philanthropy and fundraising including the coveted Robert J. Smythe Award for Outstanding Professional Fundraiser. He regularly presents at industry conferences, authors articles for leading nonprofit and professional publications, and serves as a guest speaker on radio segments as well as podcasts. Bill has taught at Duquesne University and started an internship program with Carnegie-Mellon University students interested in philanthropic resource development.Bill also has many years of experience working as a nonprofit management and fundraising consultant with CCS, which is one of the largest and most respected international fundraising firms in the country. During his time with CCS, he served as the Executive Director for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh's $125 million capital and endowment campaign, which has received more than $233 million in philanthropic commitments and was, at the time, the most successful Catholic fundraising initiative on record. As a consultant, Bill also managed an international campaign for a nonprofit organization based in Paris, France. This particular campaign, which was conducted in both the United States and Europe, solicited gifts in various currencies and involved the management and training of volunteers on two continents.Bill lives with his daughter in Rahway, NJ.

For more than two decades Becky Fullmer has been designing and driving organizational growth and performance improvement strategies, with much of her career spent in higher education philanthropy. She serves as the Associate Vice President for Advancement Operations at the University of Central Florida, where she leads the IT, Prospect Development, Records and Gifts, Donor Relations, and Operations teams. Prior to UCF, Becky was part of the team at the University of Cincinnati Foundation, serving as Assistant Vice President and Campaign Director. She also spent several wonderful years as part of the Advancement (Prospect Development) team at The Ohio State University. Her prior experience also includes work in non-profit compliance, administration, and communications.Becky is a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University with an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Public Affairs. She is a life-long learner passionate about leadership, technology, the Oxford comma, and the power of philanthropy to transform lives.

Greg Willems has served as president and chief executive officer of the KSU Foundation since February of 2022.Willems has held executive fundraising positions at the University of Hawai'i, University of British Columbia and Texas A&M. Prior to his development work, he worked in the corporate sector in the construction and insurance industries.Most recently, Willems served as vice president of development for the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, overseeing fundraising, campaigns and development operations. In that role he led them to record-breaking annual fundraising results and directed the planning and implementation for the next comprehensive, system-wide capital campaign for the University of Hawaii System. Prior to his position at the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, Willems was the executive director of development at the University of British Columbia, where he served on the executive leadership team and helped launch a $1.5 billion campaign, the largest in Canadian history at the time.He also served as the senior director of development for the Texas A&M Foundation, where he provided leadership in the university's successful $1.5 billion “One Spirit One Vision” campaign.Willems earned a bachelor's degree in management from Texas A&M University in 1988. He was named three times to Hawaii Business Magazine's “Executives You Need To Know” list and served on the board of the Engineering Development Forum.

Kristin Sorenson is the Vice President of Development at the West Point Association of Graduates. She joined the WPAOG in November 2009. During her tenure, over $803M has been raised to support West Point's Margin of Excellence and the Long Gray Line.Her 30 years of development experience includes serving as the Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at The New School in New York City, the Associate Director of External Affairs and Director of Special Gifts at the Museum of Modern Art, the Director of International Capital Initiatives and Associate Director of University Campaign Projects at Harvard University and the Executive Director of the Simon Bolivar Foundation.Kristin has also worked as a fundraising consultant for The United Nations Foundation, The Americas Society and the Council of the Americas and has taught fundraising essentials at Columbia University. She has served as a volunteer on numerous non-profit boards and councils over the years including The Horizons Initiative, The International Institute of Boston, The Fogg Art Museum, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Manitoga: The Russel Wright Design Center, The Hudson Highlands Land Trust, The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, the Garrison Children's Education Fund and The Desmond Fish Library.Kristin speaks French and Spanish and has lived in Switzerland, France, Spain, and the Philippines. She has also traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Europe. She holds a 1984 BA in Comparative Religion from Kenyon College.

Steve Rosfeld is Vice President for Development at the University of Cincinnati Foundation. In this role, he leads fundraising efforts of 10 main campus colleges and units, and Bearcats athletics. Additionally, Steve leads the central development team that services the University of Cincinnati and UC Health through specialties involving donor relations, national development, gift planning, corporate relations, and foundation relations. He also carried strategic leadership responsibilities for the comprehensive Next/Now campaign during the early planning, launch, and implementation phases. As a student at the University of Cincinnati, Rosfeld was an intern for the UC Foundation and ultimately joined the organization in 2006 as an alumni relations professional for the UC Alumni Association. He has assumed additional responsibilities over the years including, most recently, serving as the Executive Director of Development for the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. With 20 years of professional experience, Rosfeld previously served in a variety of capacities for several local, state, and national political campaigns.