Conference Co-Chairs
Meet Your Four Conference Chairs!
Colleen Bourdeau
Colleen Bourdeau has an extensive and diverse background in communications and marketing with a specific focus on higher education. She gained advertising agency experience as an account coordinator at The Zimmerman Agency in Tallahassee and government experience during her tenure at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Marketing Division.
Since 2006, she has worked in various units at Auburn University, including the College of Education, Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. She led the CADC in rebranding and reorganization efforts which have realized both an increase in web/social media traffic and total student enrollment. Colleen has been with the Auburn University Harbert College of Business as the Director of Communications and Marketing since 2019.
Joycelyn Mahone
With more than ten years of experience in fundraising; Joycelyn has worked for various public and private institutions throughout her career. Joycelyn’s current role is the Director, University Development for the VCU Development and Alumni Relations Department. A native of South Florida, Joycelyn earned her BA in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida and later earned her Masters in Organizational Leadership from Brenau University. In her spare time, Joycelyn loves to hang around her family and friends. Joycelyn also loves to cheer on her UCF Knights in college football and VCU in basketball.
Latasia Priest
Latasia Priest currently serves as the associate director of development of the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF) at the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University. She has been with the NCTF since February 2018. She has over 9 years of advancement experience in the areas of alumni and constituent engagement, annual giving, board management, event planning, prospect development, stewardship, and strategic planning.
Latasia began her professional career as a coordinator for the Office of New Student and Family Program at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where she coordinated the Parents Council, parent fundraising and parent engagement efforts. Prior to joining the Wolfpack, she was the assistant director of regional programs at Emory University where she oversaw alumni chapters and affinity groups in the southeast region. In her current role, she oversees alumni engagement, annual giving, communications, prospect development and stewardship efforts at the NCTF.
Within the advancement industry, Latasia serves on the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III Cabinet. At NC State, she serves on the Textiles Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Textiles Communications Core Committee, University Advancement Taskforce for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy Leadership Team, and as a mentor for the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program.
Latasia holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Latasia and her husband, Donnell, reside in Raleigh, NC.
Ashley Privott
Ashley has spent the last 25 years honing her advancement skills, serving in leadership roles in annual giving, alumni relations, and talent management. She joined the University of Virginia in August 2017, following more than a decade of service to her alma mater as the Executive Director of the JMU Alumni Association. At UVA, Ashley oversees training and professional development, ensuring that teams have the tools and training they need to thrive and that all staff feel part of the UVA Advancement Community. Ashley serves on the CASE District III Board as co-chair for the 2022 District Conference and has previously served as chair of the Awards Committee, alumni relations track chair, and presenter for the annual conference. Ashley also served on the national executive committee for CASE's 2021 All Districts Conference. In her spare time, Ashley loves spending time at the beach with her husband, Craig, and daughter, Max.