CASE@Campus Fellows
Johnny Cruz
Johnny Cruz is chief communications and marketing officer at University of California, Riverside. He leads the team responsible for brand and creative, public relations, enrollment marketing, advancement communications, content and publications, executive communications, digital marketing, video and photography, issues management, and university events. Since arriving at UC Riverside in 2018, he also has served as interim vice chancellor for University Advancement and interim president of the UC Riverside Foundation, and as acting associate chancellor and chief of staff in the Office of the Chancellor.
Prior to joining UC Riverside, Johnny was responsible for telling global humanitarian stories for World Vision in his role as National Director of Public Relations; was assistant vice president for communications at the University of Arizona; and served in various brand management, marketing, and communications roles at the Make-A-Wish national headquarters.
Johnny serves on the Council on Strategic Communications executive committee for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and the Association of American Universities marketing subcommittee, and he was a member of the Leadership Riverside class of 2023. In 2023, the American Marketing Association named Johnny one of the three finalists for the national Higher Education Marketer of the Year.
Johnny earned his degree in Radio/Television from Marietta College. He has overseen national marketing campaigns both in English and Spanish.
Christine Fairchild
Christine Fairchild was appointed Oxford University’s new Director of Alumni Relations in March 2011. She retired from this post in August 2023.
She and her team were responsible for supporting links between alumni of the collegiate University and Oxford through a dynamic offering of events, benefits, services and communications vehicles. The University has 350,000+ known alumni in 188 countries. There is an extensive alumni network made up of 180 active branches and shared interest groups.
Before arriving in Oxford, she had 20 years of experience in alumni relations at the Harvard Business School (HBS), including most recently as Executive Director of External Relations, overseeing the School’s alumni outreach and fundraising activities.
Educated at Connecticut College in the US, Christine graduated with a BA in Asian Studies. Upon graduation, she joined the Harvard Art Museums, where she spent ten years in membership, development, special events and public education activities. She has volunteered for Hospice of Cambridge, Mount Auburn Hospital, Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, Learning by Design, Concord Academy and Connecticut College. She has been a member of the CERN Alumni Advisory Board and currently sits on the Malvern College Council and is a Trustee of the Malvernian Society. She is an Emeritus Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford, a CASE Laureate and the recipient of a CASE Crystal Apple Award.
J T. Forbes
J Thomas Forbes was appointed president and chief executive officer of the Indiana University Foundation on January 1, 2022. He served as interim president and chief executive officer from January 1 to December 31, 2021. He was also the 11th chief executive officer of the Indiana University Alumni Association from June 2010 through December 2021.
J T. returned to IU after a stint in the private sector, where he served as director of state government relations for Cummins Inc. and as a principal private sector staff leader for the United States–Brazil CEO Forum.
An experienced higher education leader, J T. has served in communications, marketing, public affairs, and government relations roles at IU and Michigan State University and provided consulting on these issues for other major public research and land grant colleges. His service to the advancement field includes work as a consulting vice president for Grenzebach Glier and Associates and active service with the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE) and Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
As a student, J T. was president of the student body on the IU Bloomington campus, founded the All University Student Assembly to unify IU students from all campuses, and served as a trustee of Indiana University. He earned his BA in 1990 and MPA in 1996.
A life member of the IU Alumni Association, IU Foundation Presidents Circle, and founding member of the Queer Philanthropy Circle, he is married to Martha Shedd and has three adult children and one grandchild.
Karl Miller Lugo
Karl Miller Lugo is Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Engagement at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and University Leadership Council and oversees an operation comprising University and Athletic Development, Corporate and Foundation Engagement, Donor Engagement, Alumni Engagement and the Alumni Association, Operations and Advancement Services.
Prior to joining UTSA, Karl was a Vice President with the international fundraising consulting firm Bentz Whaley Flessner (for four years), where he focused on campaign planning and management, major and principal gifts, advancement assessments, and building processes for comprehensive fundraising strategy and accountability.
Karl spent 10 years at the University of Texas at Austin and finished his UT Austin career as Executive Director for Fundraising, where he oversaw principal, major, and annual giving programs, and led the successful completion of the $3 billion Campaign for Texas in partnership with campus chief development officers. With over thirty-two years in development and higher education, Karl has held senior leadership positions at public and private universities.
An active member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Karl was a member of the inaugural CASE Minority Advancement Institute class. He currently serves on the US/Canada Council, has chaired three district conferences, served on the CASE Commission on Philanthropy, the CASE Diversity Recruitment Advisory Group, and the faculty of several conferences. He was awarded the CASE Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence and holds the CASE Laureate distinction.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in public relations and Spanish from Western Kentucky University and an MBA from the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University.
Karl is a native of Puerto Rico before relocating to Kentucky for 28 years, then settling in Texas. He is an Ironman triathlon finisher and the proud holder of a Ducktorate Degree from the Disney University. Karl and his wife have two children.
Karen McQuigge
A graduate of McMaster University, Karen McQuigge joined McMaster's Office of Alumni Advancement in 1998 during the Changing Tomorrow Today campaign and was appointed Director, Alumni Engagement in 2006 responsible for alumni relations and annual giving. Before her appointment, Karen held several positions including Associate Director from 2001 to 2006. Karen has worked on two of McMaster’s fundraising project teams – one for the University Student Centre and the other dedicated to the Athletics and Recreation Centre and Stadium Campaign.
Karen has participated in several advancement focused boards, most recently as a member of the iModules Strategic Advisory Board and Advancement Ellucian Advisory Committee. Karen was the co-chair for two CCAE National conferences in 2009 and 2017. Karen is a member of CASE, the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE), and the Council for Alumni Association Executives (CAAE).
Prior to joining McMaster, Karen worked for the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association of Ontario and Mohawk College's Student Affairs Division in a variety of positions. Karen is also a graduate of Mohawk College with a Business Administration diploma.
Barbara Miles
Barbara Miles has worked as an advancement leader and teacher in five countries, and she is a dedicated supporter of CASE as an agent for advancing education worldwide.
Barbara was the inaugural Vice-President (Advancement) at the Australian National University, building teams, structures and processes to significantly elevate the university’s Advancement capabilities and establish a strong foundation for future achievement.
As Vice-President, Development and Alumni Engagement at the University of British Columbia, Barbara led what was, at the time, the most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign in Canadian history (2008-2015). The campaign raised $1.624 billion and engaged 130,000 alumni over the life of the campaign, exceeding both its targets on time and on budget.
Prior to joining UBC, Barbara was Associate Vice-President for Development and Campaign Co-Director at the University of Florida where she shared responsibility for planning and implementing UF's $1.5 billion campaign (2005-2012), was lead fundraiser for the Florida Philharmonic, New World Symphony (Miami) and the Florida Grand Opera, and was a high school teacher of Music and French in the UK and in the Bahamas.
Barbara was the District VIII Trustee on the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Board of Trustees (2015-2018). She also served on the CASE Global Governance Steering Committee and, in 2020, was awarded the John Lippincott Award for Global Advancement and Support of Education by CASE.
Barbara earned degrees in Music and Education at the University of Southampton, UK, and the University of London, Goldsmith's.
Sarah Morris
Sarah Morris is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, serving as a trusted advisor to academic leaders and fundraisers across six colleges and two units. With a focus on strategic planning and performance management, she guides her teams in achieving ambitious fundraising goals, including those set during the recent $2.75B With Illinois campaign.
Sarah's expertise in advancement extends globally, having previously served for three years as the Chief Advancement Officer at the Singapore American School, a 4,000 student K-12 independent school. Prior to her role at the Singapore American School, Sarah was a key contributor to Northwestern University's advancement efforts as Director of Major Gifts for the Chicago region during the university's $3.75 billion We Will campaign. Sarah also played a leadership role in corporate and foundation relations during Rush University Medical Center’s $300M campaign, and got her start in development at her alma mater, the University of Michigan. Sarah's professional activities include serving as Vice Chair of the 2024 B1G Development Conference and co-chairing the fundraising track at two previous CASE Asia-Pacific conferences. She lives in Wilmette, IL with her husband and two teenagers.
Emily Robin
Emily Robin leads the Advancement team working to serve London Business School’s global network of alumni on its learning journey, creating value for all members of the community and inspiring philanthropic support through the Forever Forward campaign.
Before joining LBS, Emily was Senior Director of Development at INSEAD. She previously held roles at her alma maters, the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School, as well as at Bryn Mawr College and the American School of Paris.
Emily is an active volunteer for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association Française des Fundraisers. She is a CASE Laureate, recipient of a CASE Crystal Apple for Teaching Excellence, and chair of the CASE Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising. She is a past member of the Boards of SIS Paris Ouest and the French International School of Philadelphia.
Emily is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business of the Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania, and she holds a Master of Arts in Linguistics with Distinction from University College, London.
Fardin Sanai
Fardin Sanai was appointed UAlbany’s vice president for university advancement and executive director of The University at Albany Foundation in 2007, with responsibility for all fundraising and alumni relations functions. As executive director of the Foundation, Sanai serves as liaison to its board of directors and oversees Foundation operations including investments, real estate, and governance. In addition, Sanai oversaw UAlbany’s division of communications and marketing 2017-2021.
Since 2011 Sanai has served as chair of the executive committee of chief advancement officers for the State University of New York, working closely with his colleagues and the SUNY chancellor to guide the system’s 64 campuses in their fundraising efforts. He has chaired multiple national CASE conferences on Development for Deans and Academic Leaders, and as a faculty member for the SUNY SAIL Institute, has provided executive coaching for new presidents, provosts, and deans.
Under Sanai’s direction, UAlbany’s advancement program has routinely been recognized for industry best practices, receiving ten CASE Circle of Excellence Awards – including a Grand Gold for best online magazine – and seventeen CASE District II Awards.
Sanai is a board member of 15-Love, a non-profit offering free educational programs for inner city youth, the University at Albany Biosciences Development Corporation, and the University Auxiliary Services.
Prior to joining UAlbany, Sanai served as senior vice president for development and foundation operations at Albany Medical Center, and as vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the Foundation at SUNY Cobleskill. He began his fundraising career at Albany Law School and spent two years as a fundraising consultant for Morin & Anderson, Inc. Sanai holds a bachelor’s degree from Marist College.
Kristina Gulick Schaefer
Kristina Schaefer is a senior executive and fundraising professional. As the leader of large multi-dimensional fundraising shops, she has worked extensively with boards, managed complex teams, and raised principal gifts. She is currently coaching non-profit leaders and boards, working with significant philanthropists who are interested in making a difference with their giving, and working to develop programs for a national organization. Most recently Kris was Senior Associate Dean of External Relations and Global Programs at MIT Sloan. During her time there, giving to the MIT Campaign from Sloan graduates topped $525 million. At Sloan, Kris was also responsible for overseeing international partnerships around the world which brought in revenue to the school and included relationships in China, Malaysia, Portugal, a new relationship with Australia, and a dedicated office in Latin America.
Prior to MIT, Kris served as the Vice President of Advancement for Simmons College, Vice President for Development and Director of Foundation Operations for the Children’s Memorial Foundation in Chicago, and Executive Director of Development and the Campaign Director for the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. Before joining Rice, Kris directed the annual fund at Texas Christian University. She launched her career at the University of Vermont working in the annual fund and with the parent’s fund program.
Kris has served on the National Board of Trustees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and is a highly requested speaker and faculty member for CASE-sponsored conferences and institutes. Kris has been awarded the CASE Crystal Apple Award for outstanding teaching.
Kris is a graduate of Allegheny College with a B.A. in music, where she is an active alumna volunteer. Kris is engaged in community service as a mentor for Conexion, an advisor to OUT MetroWest, and a board member at The Wily Network.
Jeffrey Schoenherr
Since 2019, Jeffrey A. Schoenherr has served as the associate vice president of medical and health sciences development for the West Virginia University Foundation. Prior to WVU Foundation, he was assistant vice president for principal gifts at The Ohio State University, vice president of development and alumni relations at Emerson College in Boston, and executive director of development and alumni relations at Harvard Law School. From 2001-2011, Schoenherr worked at John Hopkins University as director of regional and international development and senior associate director of major gifts.
Schoenherr earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan where he started his career working in numerous development, alumni relations, and admissions roles for ten years. He holds advanced certificates from John Hopkins University in Situational Delegation, Excellence in Management: Driving Results, Leadership Development, Enhancing Work Relationships and the Management Track.
Schoenherr is a frequent presenter at professional development conferences sponsored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and has served many times as a CASE Conference chair and faculty member.
Active in the community, Schoenherr has served as a volunteer and/or on the boards of many organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, United Way of Central Maryland, Delta Chi Fraternity, The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Schoenherr and his wife, Maria, are the parents of two children.
Greg Spencer
Greg Spencer is a senior fundraising professional with over 20 years of educational advancement experience. He was appointed Deputy Director & Head of Fundraising at Cardiff University in 2016.
An active CASE volunteer since 2007, Greg was most recently the scheme mentor for the CASE Europe Graduate Trainee Programme, having been a champion and ambassador for the scheme since its inception in 2009.
Greg possesses a breadth of experience across a range of fundraising programme types. His advancement career began as a student caller and callroom supervisor during his undergraduate studies. Upon graduating he joined the newly established Buffalo Fundraising Consultants as their first full-time employee. Greg managed numerous fundraising campaigns across a range of educational institutions whilst working in the consultancy sector, before returning to the University of Bristol as Annual Giving Manager. Latterly, Greg was head of the Leadership Giving fundraising team at Bristol.
Greg is a proud Welshman and (nearly fluent!) speaker of Cymraeg. When not enjoying a long beach walk with his wife and two daughters, he’s likely training for a half-marathon or endurance bicycle ride. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics from the University of Bristol.
Cassie Warman
Cassie Warman, a leader in educational advancement for more than 30 years, serves as vice president of university advancement at Pacific University in Oregon. Warman served as vice president for college advancement and executive director of the Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) Foundation from 2009–2012 where she led the college's advancement efforts including fundraising, alumni relations, communications, and marketing as well as external and government relations.
She previously served as the vice president for university relations at Portland State University where she secured the largest private gift in PSU history, orchestrated the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign that raised $114 million and led the university's first branding campaign. Prior to joining Portland State in 2004, she held advancement positions at Washington State University's Vancouver campus, the University of Portland and Eastside Catholic High School in Bellevue, Washington.
Warman has served on numerous boards and is the past chair of the CASE Board of Trustees. She has been honored with the CASE District VIII Distinguished Service Award as well as many other awards and honors.