In This Section
Conference HandoutsKeynote Speech
Guy Kawasaki: The Art of InnovationSpecial Sessions
Chief Advancement OfficersMaster Classes
Alumni Relations Development - Campaign Strategies Advancement Services - You and Your Team Communications - Media TrainingPre-Conference Sessions
New Advancement Professionals Emerging LeadersTrack Sessions
Alumni Relations Development Communications Advancement Services Community Colleges Independent Schools Professional InterestDevelopment
Sunday, November 15 - 1:30-2:45pm
Effectively Stewarding Donors Whose Endowments Are Underwater
This presentation will discuss a process for underwater endowment reporting: developing a timeline, drafting endowment reports, including your development officers in the notification process, writing personal notes and providing options to donors about their underwater endowments. We will discuss how endowment funds are distributed and UPMIFA - the 2006 Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.
John K. Carothers, Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations; Executive Director, University of Nevada, Reno, Foundation
Prior to joining the University of Nevada, John K. Carothers held several key leadership positions in both the educational and political fields, including Vice President of Institutional Advancement at State University of New York, Plattsburgh; Vice President of Wilson College; Special Assistant to the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and Pennsylvania Assistant Deputy Treasurer. Carothers earned a bachelors degree from Alleghany College and a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University.
Keiko M. Weil, Director of Donor Relations, University of Nevada, Reno
Director of Donor Relations Keiko Weil joined the University of Nevada’s development and alumni relations staff in 1991, serving first as Director of Special Events, then promoted to her current position in 2002. Weil earned a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced
A Golden Partnership: the Development Office, the Board, and the Development Committee
A successful development effort relies on building strong relationships between the advancement office and leadership volunteers on both the Board and the Development Committee. Developing strategies for how to keep the volunteers active, focused, and effective fundraisers, while fostering a good working and communicative relationship, are key to ensuring positive outcomes—all of which takes ingenuity and a targeted plan. Whether newcomers to development or seasoned professionals, fundraisers must be able to motivate and encourage leadership volunteers to be effective solicitors on behalf of the institution.
Terry Pink Alexander, Director of Development, Head-Royce School
Terry Pink Alexander is the Director of Development at Head-Royce School, an independent K-12 school in Oakland, California founded in 1887. She has 30 years of experience fundraising for academic institutions, the arts, medical research, and international youth exchange. Through successful volunteer leadership programs, Terry has successfully built and carried out creative fundraising strategies for multi-million dollar campaigns, class reunion giving programs, and annual funds.
Betsy Crabtree, Trustee, Head-Royce School
Betsy Crabtree is president of SFArts Media LLC, publisher for San Francisco Arts Monthly and manager of SFArts.org, two communication vehicles that promote arts and cultural events in San Francisco. A trustee at Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, Crabtree has served on the Development Committee for seven years and chaired it for three. From 1990-1993, she worked in the development office at The Hamlin School as publications director.
Raising Money in a Recessionary Environment
Looking at how some of the nation's leading nonprofits are successfully managing fundraising campaigns in today's volatile economy, this workshop will first give a brief overview of philanthropic trends from the 1960s through present day, then offer practical suggestions and strategies about how to raise funds in the current economic and philanthropic climate.
Bob Logan, Senior Director of Development College of Science University of Arizona
Bob Logan has been in the field of higher education development for nearly 20 years For the UA, Logan became involved with athletic fundraising at the request of former NCAA Executive Director Cedric Dempsey. After a major capital fund-raising effort, Logan was then recruited by the university’s College of Science to his current post in development. Turning an operation that raised about $1m per year into one that now records about $10m per year, Logan has built one of the top fundraising units on campus and is responsible for securing two of the largest gifts in UA history—a gift of $30 million, and the Biosphere 2 facility north of Tucson.
Peter E. Hoskow, Operations Vice President, CCS Fundraising
Peter E. Hoskow joined CCS in 1999 and now serves as Operational Vice President with responsibility for managing the company's operations in the Northwest. His extensive experience includes capital campaign consulting and management; endowment fundraising; feasibility and planning studies; development audits and assessments; public relations; foundation and corporate giving; major gift solicitation; and pledge redemption.
Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced
Faculty Partners in Development: A Four-Step Plan to Increase Faculty Involvement
Every fundraiser knows about the fundraising cycle, but did you realize that these steps can also lead to successful partnerships with faculty and deans to further your development goals? This session will effectively utilize case studies to demonstrate how your strengths as a fundraiser can be focused internally to create a cadre of motivated faculty who will be important allies in your development efforts.
Evie Tole, Assistant Dean for Development, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Evie Tole has been a fundraiser since 1986. Prior to moving into the role of Assistant Dean at UCR, she served first as the institution’s Director of Major Gifts, and then as Executive Director of Principal Gifts. Before beginning at UCR, she spent 10 years in Zimbabwe as a manager and fundraiser for arts organizations; a grant writer then Director of Development at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and Director of Development for South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. Tole earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Winnipeg, where she was awarded the University Gold Medal in Honors English, and earned a master’s degree from Carleton University, Ottawa.
Intermediate
Sunday, November 15 - 5:00-6:15pm
Effectively Stewarding Donors Whose Endowments Are Underwater
This presentation will discuss a process for underwater endowment reporting: developing a timeline, drafting endowment reports, including your development officers in the notification process, writing personal notes and providing options to donors about their underwater endowments. We will discuss how endowment funds are distributed and UPMIFA - the 2006 Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.
John K. Carothers, Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations; Executive Director, University of Nevada, Reno, Foundation
Prior to joining the University of Nevada, John K. Carothers held several key leadership positions in both the educational and political fields, including Vice President of Institutional Advancement at State University of New York, Plattsburgh; Vice President of Wilson College; Special Assistant to the Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and Pennsylvania Assistant Deputy Treasurer. Carothers earned a bachelors degree from Alleghany College and a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University.
Keiko M. Weil, Director of Donor Relations, University of Nevada, Reno
Director of Donor Relations Keiko Weil joined the University of Nevada’s development and alumni relations staff in 1991, serving first as Director of Special Events, then promoted to her current position in 2002. Weil earned a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced
Faculty Partners in Development: A Four-Step Plan to Increase Faculty Involvement
Every fundraiser knows about the fundraising cycle, but did you realize that these steps can also lead to successful partnerships with faculty and deans to further your development goals? This session will effectively utilize case studies to demonstrate how your strengths as a fundraiser can be focused internally to create a cadre of motivated faculty who will be important allies in your development efforts.
Evie Tole, Assistant Dean for Development, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Evie Tole has been a fundraiser since 1986. Prior to moving into the role of Assistant Dean at UCR, she served first as the institution’s Director of Major Gifts, and then as Executive Director of Principal Gifts. Before beginning at UCR, she spent 10 years in Zimbabwe as a manager and fundraiser for arts organizations; a grant writer then Director of Development at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and Director of Development for South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. Tole earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Winnipeg, where she was awarded the University Gold Medal in Honors English, and earned a master’s degree from Carleton University, Ottawa.
Intermediate
Monday, November 16 - 9:00-10:15am
The Millennial Generation: Who Are They & How Do We Deal With Them?!
This session will explore the Millenial Generation. They are now our colleagues in Advancement and our youngest philanthropic supporters. Who are they, and how do we deal with them? No doubt you've noticed they are "different." Hear tips from a (nearly) “Gen Y'er” in advancement and how you can best work with the age group also known as "Generation Me."
Jennifer Hee, Director of Development, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai'i Foundation
Jennifer Hee is the Director of Development for University of Hawai’i Foudation. Previously, she was the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations at Hawai’i Baptist Academy, where she created an alumni program that gained national support from more than 3,000 alumni.
Newcomers
International Alumni and Development--Best Practices
All educational institutions have a growing number of alumni living outside the U.S. Given the costs associated with reaching this audience, we must maximize our people and program resources with academic and other campus units. This panel discussion will offer best practices and lessons learned by seasoned industry colleagues, as well as from fellow attendees.
Robert Kerr, Assistant Vice Provost, University of California, Davis
Robert Kerr has a background in student affairs, central campus administration, development, alumni relations, and now university outreach and international programs. Kerr earned his Ph.D. from Kent State University in psychology and counseling; he currently serves on CASE District VII Board of Directors and chairs the Education Committee.
Judy Nagai, Director of External Relations, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, UNLV
Judy Nagai has worked in higher education for more than 15 years. In 2002, she joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to establish a unit-based, comprehensive alumni relations program for William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. In 2008, she was appointed the college’s Director of External Relations, leading efforts for major gift fundraising and alumni relations.
Krista Slade, Executive Director, CASE Asia/Pacific
Krista Slade is the executive director of the CASE Asia/Pacific office. She will share her experiences working with international institutions.
Michael Warder, Vice Chancellor, Pepperdine University
Michael Warder is Vice Chancellor of Pepperdine University, where he divides his efforts between extending the University's mission statement through fundraising and promotion, and furthering the School of Public Policy, where he is also a senior fellow at the Davenport Institute. As Pepperdine’s overseas undergraduate programs operate in Shanghai, Buenos Aires, London, Florence, Lausanne, and Heidelberg, Warder is currently developing a university-wide global strategy.
Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced
Monday, November 16 - 10:45am-12:00pm
Keeping the Focus on Planned Giving
This workshop will propose ideas and concepts to market and maintain a strong focus on recognition with donors and prospects through a variety of vehicles. Participants will receive information that can be implemented immediately to manage and market planned giving prospects. A panel of presenters will share examples of successful planned giving strategies and discuss the importance of “marketing with passion”.
Richard Morley, Executive Director, Foundation CFRE, CSPG, Mt. San Antonio College Foundation
Richard H. Morley is a professional with expertise in nonprofit strategy, development, major gifts and planned giving. He has worked in the nonprofit sector for 10 years and has been on the leading edge of using Web 2.0 tools for donor and alumni development and social networking. Currently, Mr. Morley serves as the Executive Director for the Mt. San Antonio College Foundation. Previously, Morley was Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL),, an $18 million adult learning/welfare to work agency in Chicago that provides consulting services to community colleges nationwide.He also served as Director of Development and Communications for the largest nonprofit health care provider in Orange County, where he successfully raised over $2 million each year.
June Stephens, CFRE, Executive Director of Advancement, Cuesta College
June Stephens has more than 30 years’ experience in resource development, as well as public relations and marketing, with 24 years of experience with the California Community College system. She has a successful track record in fundraising millions of dollars for education , as well as in the development of extensive marketing plans and award-winning advertising campaigns.
David Cunningham, Director of Planned Giving, Assitant Vice President for Advancement, University of San Francisco (USF),
A 15-year veteran with USF, David Cunningham, CFRE, is a frequent speaker on planned giving topics, such as "E-marketing Planned Giving Programs", "An Assessment of a Planned Giving Marketing Program", and "Beginning and Continuing Conversations with Planned Gift Prospects". His career in fundraising spans 30 years; in that time he has been a grant writer, a director of development, a campital campaign consultant, and a partner in a planned giving consulting firm.
Newcomers, Intermediate.
Integration of Athletic Development and University Development
Designed to be highly interactive, this session will share key points on how to effectively communicate with staff, participate in the development process, and be visible on your campus outside of athletic events.
Ross Bjork, Sr., Associate Athletic Director, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Ross Bjork oversees all external relations for UCLA Athletics including development, marketing, sponsorship, ticket sales and merchandising. Since his arrival at UCLA four years ago, his team has produced record volumes of revenue for athletics. Previously, Bjork worked in athletic leadership positions for the University of Missouri and the University of Miami.
Intermediate
Janet Dial has worked in admissions for more than 20 years, and has spent the past eight years in Development–now working with some of the alumni she once admitted to the university. Dial began work on her doctorate three years ago, focusing on annual giving and alumni giving habits.
Advanced
Planning & Strategizing Special Events in Today's Economy
The story is becoming all too familiar: in spite of recent staffing cuts and a dramatically reduced budget, the president still expects your division to significantly advance the institution and surpass your previous year’s operational goals. On top of that, you are being asked to plan bigger and more elaborate events. But special event planning can itself be an elaborate process. Aworking team has to be recruited, goals must be established, and consensus must be reached—all before a save-the-date can even be printed. At this interactive session, participants should come armed with questions regarding their anticipated event challenges. Suggestions for managing the event, as well as post-event strategies will be shared, offering attendees fresh ideas, new approaches, and practical tips.
Jean Bjerke, Vice President, Advancement, University of La Verne
A 30-year development veteran, Jean Bjerke has spent the past 17 years at the University of La Verne, where she and her team have raised more than $91 million and recently completed a five-year, $42-million“Building on Excellence Campaign,” featuring a $26.1 million Campus Center Project.Previously, Bjerke served as Campaign Director for KCET-TV/Los Angeles and as Director and Associate Vice President for Chapman University. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Deborah Mandabach, Communications Consultant
After 14 years in higher education, first at the University of La Verne, then the University of Redlands, Deborah Mandabach now consults in the fields of communication and special event management. In addition to participating in several successful fundraising teams, she has managed numerous high-end special events, including campaign "galas," major donor recognition events, golf tournaments, anniversary celebrations, and presidential inaugurations.
Regina Webester, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Southern California University of Health Sciences
Regina Webester joined Southern California University of Health Sciences in 2008, where early on she was assigned to manage the presidential inauguration. Prior to her current post, Webester was Associate Vice President for Development at California State University, Fullerton, fundraising for numerous programs and schools; Vice President of the Los Angeles Women's Foundation; and Executive Director of Development at the University of La Verne.
Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced
Monday, November 16 - 3:45-5:00pm
Eureka! Finding Solutions for Challenging Donors
What do you do when a donor relationship goes sour? Or when you're working with a dean who has inherited a donor-funded program she no longer believes is a priority for the institution? In this session, we'll explore ways in which you can find solutions to problems working with donors whose relationship with your institution has changed for the worse. You will have an opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others on how to turn a challenging donor relationship into a positive one.
Deborah A. Young, CFRE, Director of Scholarship and Tribute Giving, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Foundation
With 25 years in the field of development, Deborah Young has vast experience with major gifts, donor stewardship, annual giving, and grant writing, among other areas. She became Director of Development for UNLV's Harrah Hotel College in 1999 and established the college's first advisory board and major gift programs. In her current position, she works with major gift donors, constituency development officers, deans and other university officials to manage the complex area of scholarship giving.
Nikki Khurana, Director of Development for Student Affairs, Cal Poly Pomona
Nikki began her development career 15 years ago as a student caller for Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Fund. She was promoted to Annual Fund Director, where she launched the Annual Fund Executive Council and increased collections and pledge rate through direct mail and e-solicitation. In her current role, she works with corporate, foundation, and individual donors, as well as internal partners, and has increased giving and enjoyed success in building cross-divisional donor relationships.
Intermediate
Tuesday, November 17 - 10:45am-12:00pm
Alumni Discovery Initiative
Now more than ever, institutions are tasked with finding innovative, cost-effective and practical ways to engage alumni and identify new donor prospects. Georgetown University developed a program called the Discovery Project, which hired current students and recent grads to conduct in-person interviews with alumni. UC San Diego, a large public institution, and the University of San Francisco, a small private school, have each adapted the Georgetown model to fit their advancement needs. Learn how each institution has created a distinctive program to reconnect alumni, engage new volunteers and cultivate new donor prospects.
Greg Murphy, Alumni Discovery Initiative Manager, University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
A UCSD graduate and young entrepreneurial professional with extensive student government and leadership experience, Greg Murphy has conceived, developed, and successfully implemented UCSD’s Alumni Discovery Initiative.
Armin Afsahi, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs, UCSD
Also a UCSD alumnus, Armin Afsahi is a seasoned advancement executive with more than 17 years of private and public sector experience in institutional advancement, strategic management, business development, marketing, technology and operations, gained in public and private universities, as well as in technology, education, and consulting firms.
Jessica Bartolini, Program Manager Discovery Project, University of San Francisco
Jessica Bartolini is the Program Manager of the Discovery Project at the University of San Francisco. The Discovery Project is a new alumni outreach effort launched in July of 2008 in which recent graduates conduct in-person interviews with alumni across the country with the goal of reconnecting alumni and identifying new major gift prospects. In this role she has responsibility for managing and coordinating all Discovery efforts including all data management, communication, outreach and follow-up. Before joining the Advancement team at USF she was the Coordinator for Annual Giving at the University of Nevada, Reno where she managed the student phonathon program and coordinated with the manager of Annual Giving on all the annual fund direct mail. During her undergraduate years at USF she worked for Athletic Development as a student assistant and also worked as a student caller for University Advancement. Jessica graduated in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and is currently working on her Masters in Nonprofit Administration from USF.
Nicki Nabasny, Director of Development, Major Gifts & Discovery Project, University of San Francisco
Nicki (Pichel) Nabasny began her career in university advancement as a student caller at Santa Clara University. Now as director at USF, she is responsible for managing and coordinating major gift fundraising, alumni outreach, and volunteer engagement for both the School of Nursing and the School of Business and Professional Studies. She also has oversight of a USF’s new alumni outreach effort launched last year, the Discovery Project, in which recent graduates conduct in-person interviews with alumni across the country with the goal of reconnecting alumni and identifying new major gift prospects.
Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced
Hiring Smarter and Retaining Staff Longer in a Down Economy
In tough economic times, managers can’t afford to make mistakes. In advancement offices, talented people are everything and high-performers can be lured away. Learn best practices in retaining and recruiting exceptional talent, all the while branding yourself as an “employer of choice.” Develop a profile of success characteristics and hiring analytics to find the talent that will accomplish your strategic goals; avoid crisis hiring and learn “Planned Alternatives to Hiring” strategies; and consider a program to reward and retain your best people, no matter what size your organization.
John W. Crowe, Associate Dean for Development and External Relations, School of Policy Planning and Development, USC
John W. Crowe recently returned to USC where serves as Associate Dean for Development and External Relations at the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development. He is a former vice president at Claremont Graduate University and the Los Angeles County Music Center. Previous to that, he spent 16 years at USC where his assignments including serving as chief advancement officer for the schools of business and medicine. A past chair of CASE District VII, he has co-authored two books for CASE, one dealing with hiring and retention and the other focused on managing advancement programs in an academic unit. He is a popular speaker and trainer on such topics including campaign design and management, major gifts solicitation, communications, and staff retention and hiring.