Marina Pedreira-Vilarino, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, University of Sussex

Marina has worked in the field of development and alumni relations in the UK for almost ten years. She first joined the sector as Alumni Officer at UCL in 2000, before being appointed by the University of Sussex first as Alumni Officer and subsequently as Head of Alumni Relations. In 2006, she was promoted to Deputy Development Director of an integrated alumni and fundraising team. In her present role, she heads up the alumni relations and annual fund programmes and is responsible for a portfolio of major gift prospects.

Marina currently serves as a member of the CASE Commission on Alumni Relations and holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Jason Coolman, Director, Alumni Relations, University of Waterloo, Canada

Jason developed a passion for post-secondary education during his undergrad years at Brock University, receiving the Student Union Graduate Award for his commitment to student life, a dedication that's become a hallmark of his career.

After working as Residence Manager at the University of Guelph, and as MPP Liaison for the Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, he joined the University of Waterloo as Residence Life Coordinator. As UW embarked on a $260 million campaign, Jason joined the Office of Development, where he supported the university's Annual Fund, special projects and major gift solicitation. In 2005, Jason assumed his current role where he continues to promote student engagement. In 2007, he facilitated a UW Alumni Council Ad Hoc committee on alumni engagement.

Gretchen Dobson, Senior Associate Director, Domestic and Regional Programs, Tufts University

As Tufts' Senior Associate Director for Domestic and International Programs in the Office of Alumni Relations, Gretchen travels the world to facilitate alumni engagement and serves as a development officer for over 70 regions. An active volunteer and recipient of both national and district-wide awards, she is writing the first book on International Alumni Relations for CASE. Gretchen received her BA and MA degrees from Boston College.

Andy Shaindlin, Founder, Alumni Futures

An alumni relations professional since 1989, Andy has worked at Brown University (his alma mater, A.B. 1986, International Relations) and at the University of Michigan. He has recently left his position as Executive Director of the Caltech Alumni Association at the California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA). Andy is the author of the only blog for alumni professionals: Alumni Futures. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on technology and other topics in higher education. Involved with CASE since 1989, he serves as chair of its Commission on Alumni Relations, and chaired the Educause Task Force on Identity Management in higher education. He co-chaired the CASE Technology Forum and chaired the Minary Conference on Alumni Education. Andy has presented at dozens of conferences, including CASE's Advancement Summit, the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education, the Council of Alumni Association Executives, and the European Association for International Education.

Clare Gordon, Alumni Events Officer, University of Birmingham

Clare joined the University of Birmingham in October 2007, and through her current role as Alumni Events Officer, she manages a minimum of 10 alumni events per year and co-ordinates DARO's student engagement strategy. This includes providing advice, support and guidance to Birmingham. For life., a DARO-sponsored student society, which Clare established in September 2009. Clare previously worked for Myeloma UK, the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with myeloma and its related disorders. Clare has a BA in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Leeds.