From the Nominator

“Knowing your people” is essential to motivating, developing, and empowering any team. At a recent conference session on the future of advancement, a presenter made the case that staff engagement and people analytics will distinguish exceptional departments as our industry evolves. Caltech's Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) department is already a leader on this path. For more than a decade, AAR’s Talent Management team has tracked recruiting, retention, engagement, and demographic data. In 2025, Talent Management partnered with Data and Business Intelligence to launch a comprehensive suite of dashboards that integrate more than 30 talent management metrics and key performance indicators into a holistic view of the employee lifecycle. The project uncovers key insights and trends. It also leverages Microsoft PowerApps to streamline data entry, reduce manual reporting, and improve accuracy and accessibility. Our approach complements qualitative understanding with consistent metrics. The dashboards offer a comprehensive view of AAR’s workforce and illuminate the direct connection between investing in people and advancing fundraising success. Leaders can monitor progress toward goals and find opportunities for professional development. Just as importantly, the dashboards foster accountability across the department and document AAR’s evolution over time. By continually tracking the pulse of the organization, AAR is well positioned to cultivate a thriving, high-performing team.

From the Judges

We spend quite a bit of time thinking about how we leverage data to support our work with prospects and donors, so it was great to see a similar analytical approach applied to staff. Other institutions can replicate this.