Pamela Ferguson is in her fourteenth year as the vice president of institutional advancement at William Paterson University.  She also serves as the president of the William Paterson University Foundation. Pam leads a team of twenty-one whose priority is to increase the philanthropic support to the University.  Pam reports directly to the President and is a member of the University’s cabinet. During her tenure, Pam has concentrated on building a strategic advancement team, increasing annual cash and commitments supporting William Paterson students and programs, and growing the assets and endowment of the Foundation.  She has a reputation for leading her team in a highly donor-centric manner and is a constant advocate for her team members, their professional development. and success reaching individual and divisional KPIs.   Following industry trends, she brought together Annual Giving and Alumni Relations maximizing the talent of both departments and thereby promoting a director of major gifts to serve as the inaugural assistant vice president of the newly formed department of Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy.  During her tenure the total assets of the Foundation have grown over 280% and the endowment over 300%.  With scholarship support being of the utmost importance at William Paterson, the Foundation has grown the scholarship endowment nearly 585% and increased the distribution and the number of donor scholarship awards substantially each year. 

Prior to joining William Paterson, Pam worked at Seton Hall University serving in various fundraising capacities and finally as the associate vice president of development. During this time, the University completed a $152 million capital campaign.  Pam also worked as the director of advancement at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia and as the director of special programs at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

In addition to her extensive fundraising experience, Pam has also participated in strategic planning at several of these institutions and is currently serving as the cabinet-level executive sponsor for one of the University’s five strategic pillars.  Pam also served on the strategic planning committee of her high school alma mater where she was named Distinguished Alumna of the Year in 2009.  Pam is a former trustee and member of the development committee of Marylawn Academy in South Orange, New Jersey.  Pam has also given several presentations on fundraising and leadership at various conferences and workshops including the Diocese of Arlington, CASE II, and Partners in Mission.  Pam holds a B.A. in history from S.U.N.Y. Binghamton.   In her spare time, Pam enjoys golf and travel and most especially spending time with her four grandsons. 

Dr. Justin Fincher currently serves as Interim Chief Deputy to the President and Senior Vice President for Government and Community Relations at Stony Brook University, a role he assumed in August 2024. In this capacity, he acts as the President’s strategic advisor on university priorities, providing counsel on reputation management, crisis prevention, and policy development. He also leads the university’s efforts in government and community relations, strengthening partnerships with civic, business, and elected leaders at all levels. Concurrently, Dr. Fincher remains Executive Director of the Stony Brook Foundation, overseeing its board and philanthropic stewardship.

Dr. Fincher joined Stony Brook in 2021 as Vice President for Advancement, where he led the university’s advancement strategies and fundraising initiatives, achieving record setting milestones. Under his leadership, Stony Brook secured a historic $500 million unrestricted endowment gift and $150 million in climate science funding for The Exchange initiative, enhancing the university’s financial position and impact.

Before his tenure at Stony Brook, Dr. Fincher held leadership roles at The Ohio State University, where he guided multibillion-dollar campaigns, engaged over a million donors, and cultivated significant philanthropic gifts for both academic and medical initiatives. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the OSU Alumni Association, leading a team of 125 staff and spearheading innovative alumni engagement strategies.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Fincher held key roles at Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University, where he developed pioneering programs in philanthropy education and donor engagement. His leadership extends to national service with the Council for Advancement

and Support of Education (CASE) and co-founding the Advancement Leadership Lab, a training initiative for senior advancement leaders.

A higher education leader with a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel, both from the University of Maryland, Dr. Fincher’s national quantitative research has focused on leadership development and sense of belonging across diverse populations. His research expertise includes applying advanced analytics to measure program impact and drive data-informed decision-making in higher education. A summa cum laude graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Dr. Fincher has taught and mentored emerging leaders in the field, contributing to their academic and professional growth

Shanna A. Hocking (Shanna rhymes with Donna) is the founder and CEO of Hocking Leadership, which helps universities develop leaders and strengthen workplace culture to build the foundation for your organization’s fundraising and engagement success through executive advisory, team coaching, and retreats. Shanna found her dream career of university fundraising as a freshman in college. Shanna then spent 20 years raising 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-figure gifts and leading collaborative teams (ultimately nearly 50 professionals) at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Alabama, and Duke University. Shanna is the author of One Bold Move a Day: Meaningful Actions to Help Women Fulfill Their Leadership and Career Potential (November 2022, McGraw Hill), which was named "one of the 9 motivating books to supercharge your 2024" by the Next Big Idea Club. Shanna's articles have been published on Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Fast Company, Chicago Tribune, The Muse, and Motherly. Her expertise has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Harper's Bazaar UK, Entrepreneur, and New York Post, among others. Shanna was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in April 2024. She has been seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Nexstar affiliate television stations across North America.

Carol Packard joined Lehigh University as vice president for Development and Alumni Relations in April 2024 and now leads a team of 109 professionals dedicated to growing the institution’s community of philanthropists and engaged alumni, parents, and friends. With a focus on Lehigh’s $1.25 billion effort, GO Beyond: The Campaign for Future Makers, Carol works strategically alongside the president, deans, senior leaders, and the Board of Trustees to shape opportunities for transformational giving that advance the university’s strategy and goals. Her leadership approach is both data-driven and human-centered, grounded in the purpose of elevating people and forging healthy and vibrant teams.

Carol has more than 20 years of experience in both the private sector and higher education. With expertise in strategic business and relationship development, informed by a keen understanding of marketing and communications, she successfully shaped three separate billion-dollar campaigns at two R1 institutions. She is known as a thought leader in growing programs that recognize the vital role of women and other underrepresented populations in philanthropy.

Prior to Lehigh, Carol held key leadership roles in development at Cornell University, including its College of Engineering, and Penn State University. At both institutions, she led teams to new levels of success, driving significant contributions in philanthropic contributions and engagement with alumni. In the private sector, she excelled in positions at Foster Avenue (formerly Snavely Associates) and AccuWeather Inc., consistently surpassing financial targets through thoughtful and informed relationship building and negotiation with C-suite executive teams.

Carol, a first-generation college student, was a Schreyer Honors scholar at Penn State University, where she earned a B.S. in English literature and an M.Ed. in higher education administration.

Jen Slaw works with organizations to create more positive work environments, improve team engagement, and navigate change with a growth mindset. She’s been hired across industries for companies like Nikon, Con Edison, American Express, Turner, Skanska, Deloitte, Bristol Myers-Squibb, and First Energy. A former structural engineer and world-record-holding expert juggler, she's shared her unique perspective on major TV network news / morning shows, the Late Show with David Letterman, Off-Broadway and TEDx stages. She co-created and co-starred in the Off-Broadway show and Backstage Critic’s Pick, Perfect Catch: A Throw-mantic Comedy, which was hailed as “the forward guard of an entirely new and captivating approach to the craft.”

Cassandra Ziegler is an accomplished professional with experience in strategic initiative building. Her career spans operations, communications, and development management. As Associate Director of Strategic Development at Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Cassandra oversees the donor pipeline and advisory board for an institute comprising over 800 neuroscientists, engineers, and computational theorists. A dedicated volunteer leader at Columbia University since 2017, Cassandra co-chairs She Opened the Door, the university-wide women’s alumni network that celebrates and amplifies alumni potential and achievements. Cassandra is a member of the 2025 CASE District II Annual Conference Planning Committee, using her expertise in cultivating relationships and driving institutional goals to help craft a compelling program focused on breaking silos and building communities.

Jill C. Anderson serves as the vice president for development and alumni engagement at Moravian University, Moravian Theological Seminary, and Lancaster Theological Seminary. Before her time at Moravian, Jill held engagement and development leadership positions at Muhlenberg College, Drew University & Theological School, and her alma mater, Lehigh University, where she started her career in higher education in 1999.

Jill is a doctoral student at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Lehigh University, a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, and a Certificate for the Harvard Institute for Education Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAPⓇ) and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), in addition to being a Standards Scholar and member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Jill was recognized as the CASE District II Professional of the Year in 2022. Her teams were recognized with the Seal of Excellence: Alumni Relations: Regional Programs/Clubs/Chapters/Branches (2002); District II Accolades: Bronze Award Winner - Fundraising (2018), District II Accolades: Gold Award Winner - Videos: Alumni & Fundraising (2019), Best of District II Award for Principal Gift Stewardship (2022). She serves on the CASE District II Cabinet and has volunteered for the Awards Committee and the Annual Conference Committee. 

Jill received the Lehigh University Alumni Award in 2016. She serves on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Pennsylvania Board of Directors and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)—Captain William Penny Chapter. Jill has presented on campaigns, board and volunteer management, and fundraising for CASE District II, Academic Impressions, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and the Annual Giving Workshop. 

Margaret Battey is the Marketing & Program Manager in the George Washington University’s Office of Planned Giving. Her expertise lies in translating complex financial concepts into creative and accessible marketing campaigns. 

Prior to joining GW, Margaret worked as a communications consultant and as a senior account manager for a Washington-based public relations firm. 

She holds an MBA with concentrations in Strategic Management and Marketing & Brand Management from the George Washington University School of Business and a BA in English Literature from Dickinson College.

Camille has more than 11 years of experience in higher education with specific expertise in donor relations, stewardship, alumni engagement, and program development and growth. At Princeton, Camille is responsible for strategizing and implementing a robust and highly-tailored donor recognition and engagement program representing the University's most generous donors. Camille joined the Princeton Advancement team in 2015. Before Princeton, Camille worked in the President’s Office at West Virginia University.

Camille is a self-motivated and collaborative leader who has been recognized for her passionately-curious initiative and ability to manage complex projects and teams. Camille holds a BA in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University and an MA in Higher Education Administration from West Virginia University.

Christine Brady is a seasoned higher education administrator with over 30 years of experience in alumni relations and undergraduate admissions. As the Director of Alumni Relations, School and College Programming at Temple University, Christine specializes in alumni board governance and committee management, strategic planning, alumni benefits and affinity partnerships, awards, reunions, educational programming, and engaging volunteers through a pipeline of increased opportunity. Her extensive expertise and strategic approach have significantly contributed to enhancing alumni engagement and fostering meaningful connections within the Temple University community.

Christy Burkart has been with Princeton University for three years as Associate Director of Advancement for Leadership Gifts. This marks Christy’s 20th year in the Advancement field with 15 years of major gift and management experience; her extensive background includes independent schools, higher education, and New York City cultural institutions. She currently covers Fairfield and Westchester counties for Princeton, in addition to working with alumni in New York City. Christy holds a BA from Lehigh University in Earth & Environmental Science and English and an MS from Northeastern University in Nonprofit Management.

Dan Case is the Associate Director of Advancement for the Kate Gleason College of Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). A relationally focused individual with extensive higher education and corporate fundraising experience, he is driven by organizational vision and mission with a passion for encouraging inventive thinking to advance institutional priorities.

During his time at RIT, Dan has prioritized active partnerships with Alumni Relations and Regional Advancement colleagues to approach donors more holistically. He has been a champion for underrepresented voices and has made communication with University leadership more accessible to female engineering alumni as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community. He has been a fierce advocate for student organization support and has secured numerous multi-year major gift pledges from companies looking to enhance their brands on campus.

Previous to his time at RIT, Dan worked in Admissions, Alumni Relations, and Operations Management, and earned his BA in Psychology from Cedarville University. While at RIT, he obtained an MBA in Management & Leadership from the Saunders College of Business and is excited to apply business practices to his work in University Advancement. In his personal life, Dan is an avid reader and can often be found hiking in Letchworth State Park with his dog, Teddy.

Mr. Phillip D. Castleberry, a 20-year veteran of higher education advancement and fundraising, became vice president of University Advancement for Rochester Institute of Technology in February 2020.

In this role, Phil provides strategic vision and operational leadership for all aspects of the university’s development and alumni initiatives. He leads a team of approximately 100 professionals focused on cultivating a culture of philanthropy and engagement with RIT alumni and friends across the region, the nation, and the globe. He also oversaw the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history, “Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness,” which raised over $1 billion.

Before coming to RIT, Phil was vice president for institutional advancement at St. John Fisher College. In this role, he oversaw development, alumni and constituent engagement, corporate and foundation relations, government affairs, advancement services, stewardship, and events. He grew philanthropic giving exponentially at St. John Fisher and was the architect of “Fisher Forward,” the most ambitious comprehensive campaign in the college’s history with a fundraising goal of $100 million. 

Prior to St. John Fisher, Phil spent seven years at the University of Rochester, serving most recently as associate vice president of university advancement. Before that, he held a variety of development and advancement roles of increasing responsibility with such institutions as Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Missouri—St. Louis, William Jewell College, and his alma mater, the University of Central Missouri. He is also a past member of the former CASE District II Board of Directors, concluding his service in 2020.

Pete has 10+ years of development experience, all in higher education.  He currently covers the Bay Area for Princeton's Leadership Gifts team, after previously covering the Midwest and Florida regions.  Prior to Princeton, Pete worked in the development office of the University of Michigan's Department of Athletics.  Pete earned a BA in journalism from Penn State University in 2008 and an MA in Sport Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014.

With over 30 years of experience in the higher education industry and non-profit fundraising, I am an advancement services expert who leads product strategy for UC Innovation, a CRM Solutions & Services company. I leverage my knowledge of systems, databases, and business processes to develop and deliver innovative and comprehensive solutions for higher education organizations on the Salesforce platform.

As the Vice President of Product Evangelism, I am intimately involved in the product vision, roadmap, and execution of UC Innovation's flagship product, ascend, the most advanced advancement solution available on the Salesforce AppExchange. I am also involved in the product engagement and community building initiatives for our clients, partners, and prospects. I am passionate about helping higher education institutions achieve their fundraising and engagement goals through effective and efficient use of technology and data. I am also a skilled presenter and organizer of conferences, workshops, and webinars on topics related to advancement services, CRM best practices, and Salesforce trends. In 2016, I received the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). I have also contributed a chapter on advancement data analytics for a book published by Rowman and Littlefield in 2019.

Shane Cohen is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. In this role, Shane builds collaborative partnerships between academia, entrepreneurs, industry, government, and NGOs. These partnerships aim to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for Lehigh students, drive innovation, deliver value-based results for external partners, and secure financial support to amplify the impact for all stakeholders.

Shane is a dedicated advocate for increasing inclusivity in STEM fields, particularly for traditionally underrepresented student populations. He works to foster inclusivity from K-12 classrooms to boardrooms by developing industry collaborations and securing financial support for Lehigh programs and student organizations. These initiatives benefit the local K-12 community, current Lehigh students, and industry partners.

With over 15 years of experience, Shane has led mutually beneficial collaborations and programming recognized by U.S. News & World Report and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). A Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and experienced speaker, he is passionate about helping others find their voice through public speaking workshops and mentorship.

Shane is also a member of In Your Face Entertainment (IYFE), which hosts stand-up “comedy for a cause” events in the Lehigh Valley to support local and international charities. Additionally, he performs with the SteelStacks House Improv Team, “True Story,” and is writing a book aimed at helping others overcome the mental and emotional hurdles to excel in public speaking.

Devin has over 13 years of higher education fundraising experience, exclusively in the NY Metro area. At Princeton, his focus has been on identifying, engaging, and cultivating major gift donors with an emphasis on helping the next rising leaders within the alumni pool match their philanthropic dollars with University Initiatives.

Devin graduated from Lehigh University’s undergraduate business school in 2007 and later obtained a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lehigh’s College of Education.

He is passionate about creating meaningful relationships and supporting lasting programs while changing the life trajectory of participants for generations to come.

Siobhan Doherty is the Executive Director, Principal Gifts at Western University in London, Ontario. An enthusiastic advocate for the philanthropic sector, proud McGill University alumna and community volunteer. She is a collaborative fundraising leader with more than 14 years of experience working at several Canadian U15 institutions.

A passionate relationship builder with demonstrated success in securing transformational, major and legacy gifts with experience in frontline fundraising, campaign planning and execution; navigating complex organizational structures and aligning teams with various focuses and objectives along with formal education and experience in creating and implementing communications plans, strategic advising and stakeholder engagement.

Her experience includes coaching advancement and academic colleagues in philanthropy best practices and meaningful donor engagement. Over her career she has worked in most areas of fundraising including annual, planned, major and principal giving with individuals, corporations & foundations. Her passion and drive inspire her to work with organizations and experts working to make meaningful change.

Niki has over 25 years of Advancement experience, working within the independent schools, boarding schools and higher education. Focus on building giving programs, volunteer engagement, solicitation. Campaign experience (4 campaigns through career). At Princeton I cover the New England region, raising leadership gifts for the University. Additional roles include volunteer management. I also work with my team to build DE&I understanding and skills and offer opportunities for front line fundraisers to connect, brainstorm, and support one another in our roles.

With over two decades of dedicated experience in advancement, I am currently spearheading engagement initiatives in the University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science. My mission is to foster enduring connections between external stakeholders and our institution, a task I approach with strategic leadership and a passion for community building. Our team's efforts are aligned with the university's values, aiming to create a robust, mutually beneficial network that supports diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and teaching and research excellence.

As associate director of community communications at American University, Adrienne Frank serves as editor of AU’s two flagship communications tools: American magazine, the award-winning biennial university publication, which boasts a circulation of 105,000, and AU Now, the weekly email newsletter sent to 19,000 faculty, staff, and students. She has led multiple redesigns of both publications that have boosted engagement and fostered institutional pride. 

As the leader of a small but mighty editorial team, Adrienne fosters a collaborative, creative environment and revels in pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling. (Her team's motto: No idea is a bad idea.) Adrienne is a seasoned writer and an avid reader who’s always on the prowl for design inspiration and clever story ideas. 

Before joining AU in 2004, Adrienne worked as an arts and entertainment reporter in her native Phoenix. She holds a bachelor's in justice studies from Arizona State University and a master's in justice, law, and society from American University.

Dan is an independent strategic marketing consultant specializing in helping higher education and philanthropic leaders build stronger MarComm teams, brands, campaigns—and results.

With 20 years of experience in institutional and agency settings, Dan has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies like Nike to elite universities such as Penn, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, and UVA. His leadership of high-performing teams has consistently delivered transformative outcomes, contributing to over $6 billion in philanthropic impact.

Most recently, Dan served as Assistant Vice President of Advancement Communications & Stewardship at Drexel University (2017–2024). There, he led strategies to enhance alumni and donor engagement, advance institutional goals, and championed the university’s $806 million campaign, The Future Is a Place We Make.

An industry-recognized thought leader, Dan has presented at CASE and the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education. This February, he’s hosting a 5-part podcast series in partnership with Enrollify, Advancement Amplified: AI for IA. His work has earned top honors, including multiple CASE Circle of Excellence awards, and has been featured in The New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, Associated Press, and NPR.

Jeff brings over a decade of non-profit leadership experience to Catapult. He has expertise in capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, sponsorships, annual fund development, and donor stewardship. 

In addition to partnering with organizations such as Tyler Junior College Foundation, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, and Texas A&M University San Antonio, Jeff also leads our team throughout the Greater Gulf Coast. 

He is currently an Instructor with the UNLV Non-Profit Management and Fundraising Certificate programs. He is also a Fundraising Operations Mentor for the Center of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership at Rice University. Jeff is currently the Past President of AFP Texas Coastal Bend Chapter.

Helbragga J. Graubman is a dynamic communications professional with expertise in donor stewardship, marketing, and public relations. As the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Direct Marketing, at the University of North Carolina, Helbragga oversees solicitation strategies, including mass mail campaigns and crowdfunding initiatives. They collaborate closely with colleagues to enhance engagement among young alumni and other key constituencies, such as students, faculty, and staff. Helbragga also plays a pivotal role in supporting GiveUNC, UNC’s annual day of giving.

In their role, Helbragga contributes to the Carolina Annual Giving team’s strategic goal of improving structures and workflows. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, they help drive donor engagement and support the university's fundraising goals.

Beyond their current position, Helbragga has held impactful roles at Wells Fargo, Tantalus Systems, and Duke University, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the American Red Cross where they developed a reputation for excellence in project management, communications strategy, proposal development, and digital marketing.

Helbragga is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Digital Communications at UNC, specializing in the ethical application of artificial intelligence in media and business. Outside of their professional life, they serve on the board of Bynum Front Porch, advocating for cultural preservation through storytelling and community engagement. 

Danielle Hladky is the Director of Communications and Marketing at Calvert Hall College High School, a Lasallian Catholic, college preparatory school for young men grades 9-12 in Baltimore, Maryland. She is responsible for all aspects of Calvert Hall's marketing and communications efforts, including media buys, creative, public relations, branding, as well as oversight of school publications, website and social media channels. 

Before becoming a Cardinal, Danielle was the Director of Alumni and Career Services for the University of Maryland Global Campus while also holding marketing roles for the American Cancer Society, Competitor Group, and St. John's College. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Stony Brook University, a Master of Arts degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Duquesne University, and an MBA in Sports Management from San Diego State University.

Eric Horell is the Assistant Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Saint Francis University. He has spent twelve years at SFU, starting his career in Admissions before transitioning to the role of Director of Alumni Engagement in 2017 and to his current role in 2023. Since joining the Advancement Division, Eric has led two projects that won recognition in CASE's Circle of Excellence Awards, the first for SFU. Following this success, Eric is a volunteer judge for the Circle of Excellence Awards and District II Achievement Awards. He is pursuing an Executive Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Innovation at SFU, with research interests in engagement impact and efficiency. He is a fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams. Yes, even the Pirates.

Brian Ibsen has been a university fundraiser for 30 years in a variety of roles. He has closed 7- and 8- figure gifts from foundations and corporations for University at Buffalo, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Chicago, University of New Mexico, and the Aga Khan University. His early career experiences as a teacher and in technology consulting sales continue to inform his work.

Durriyyah Jackson is the Director of Planned Giving at George Washington University, where she helps donors create meaningful, tax‑smart philanthropic legacies. With fifteen years of advancement experience spanning planned giving, major gifts, and board engagement, she is known for her people‑first approach to relationship building. Durriyyah is a Fulbright Scholar and double GW alumna, holding PMP, CFRE, and CAP® certifications. She is an active member of CASE and the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and a frequent conference speaker passionate about empowering others to reach their fullest potential.

Julia Knapp is the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement at the University of Toronto. In this role, Julia leads a dynamic team responsible for university-wide initiatives that foster meaningful connections with U of T’s 700,000-strong alumni community. Through innovative engagement strategies, impactful volunteer opportunities, and data-driven approaches, her team strengthens alumni ties while building operational infrastructure and data-reporting tools to enhance organizational capacity and align alumni engagement with development efforts across the University’s three campuses.

With over two decades of professional experience, Julia brings a unique blend of expertise in private sector marketing, client loyalty, and educational advancement. She spent more than a decade at American Express Canada, where she held leadership roles in B2B and consumer marketing, as well as product management. At the Bank of Montreal, she contributed to the Private Client Group by developing integrated client strategies for Wealth Management. Julia also served as Director of Advancement at St. Clement’s School in Toronto, where she successfully led a major capital campaign and oversaw alumni relations and marketing.

Julia holds a BA in English from the University of Western Ontario and is passionate about creating opportunities that empower alumni to connect, contribute, and thrive within the University of Toronto’s vibrant global community.

Liz Lacovara is the Director of Learning, Change Management & Organization Development for Johns Hopkins Development and Alumni Relations, and supports over 500 colleagues across the University and Academic Medicine. She leads the development and deployment of training, mentoring, and coaching programs, as well as providing targeted support to teams. Her work in the broader profession includes co-leading the multi-institution Leadership in Action Program and serving as faculty for the Johns Hopkins Medical Philanthropy Institute. She joined Hopkins in February 2020 after 30 years of working for multinationals outside of the US. Before moving into talent development, with a focus on organization al capability, her career included leadership positions in marketing, communications, and strategy consulting.

With over 35 years of work experience in the higher education advancement sector, I am a passionate and skilled director of enterprise marketing with a keen focus and commitment to community engagement, events, sponsorships and customer service. I have a mission to build and foster a vibrant and engaged and richly diverse user community for Kindsight, the leading provider for Advancement CRM for higher education. 

I bring a wealth of knowledge, insights, and perspectives from my previous roles in information management, advancement services, and data management at various UC campuses.

I aim to build and maintain relationships with our users, partners, and stakeholders. I manage all aspects of user community events, sponsorships, conferences, and webinars, ensuring that they are engaging, informative, and impactful. I also provide social media content and manage social media channels, showcasing the success stories, best practices, and feedback from our user community. I am always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance our user community experience and deliver value to our customers.

Owen Levan-Uhler is the student engineer and editor for our podcast, Houndcast. He is a Junior studying English and Secondary Education. Some of his hobbies include painting, film photography, movies, and music. He listens to music constantly, so there’s hardly a moment where he doesn’t have his AirPods in. Owen also makes his own music and is currently working on his second album, as well as working on some of his friends’ projects. It was his love of making music that led him to Houndcast: During his freshman year, he saw an advertisement for a podcast engineer/editor on campus! The content and quality of Houndcast have improved with every season, and he’s excited to continue working on this project!

A seasoned public affairs professional, Elizabeth McCabe Deal (Beth) has held leadership positions in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors specializing in community relations, government affairs, and communications. Beth has a record of accomplishment for developing and managing community support for complex controversial policy and intergovernmental initiatives with special emphasis on social equity, urban higher education, and justice reform.

At American University, she leads internal and community communications efforts and manages a team of talented professionals responsible for AU Now, American magazine, crisis communications, and issues management. Beth also leads university-wide communications efforts for key priorities and manages emergency communications processes and protocols, among other responsibilities. 

Before joining AU, Beth served as communications director for the Washington, DC- based, Justice Policy Institute. She also held leadership positions at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and New York City’s Emergency Response Task Force and has provided communications consulting to nonprofit and higher education organizations.

Teresa Newberry is a proven leader with 20+ years of professional experience that includes leading complex business transformations for public, private and non-profits. 

Teresa is a skilled project director, overseeing successful strategic and technical implementations to include Salesforce CRM and related applications. Her experience is supplemented by multiple industry recognized certifications: she is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a graduate of the Change Management Advanced Practitioner Program (CMAP) at Georgetown University, and a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) practitioner. Teresa is a graduate of the Harford Leadership Academy, Class of 2016.

Adjoa Nyarko is the Leadership Gifts Officer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing her MBA part-time at Baruch College. 

Prior to her work in fundraising and philanthropy, Adjoa was a New York City Teaching Fellow and taught students with disabilities in grades 6-12 for two years, while she pursued her Master’s degree in Special Education at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus. 

With over 7 years of experience in fundraising and philanthropy, Adjoa was introduced to the development field through the Public Allies Fellowship program and after the fellowship, Adjoa worked for two art-education nonprofits that have long served New York City’s early childhood centers and public schools respectively, Cool Culture and ArtsConnection. 

She received her Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from Howard University in Washington, D.C, and during her collegial years, she cultivated her interests in social impact and change by participating in several Capitol Hill internships and joining many grassroots political campaigns both on and off campus. Adjoa is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and was born in Queens, New York to immigrant parents of Ghanaian descent.

Irshad Osman is an Imam by training and a Fundraiser by profession. Irshad has overseen fundraising portfolios worth millions of dollars to support local and international causes. He builds inclusive communities with passion and deep caring. Irshad brings to the fundraising and social profit sector his lived experience as a BIPOC development professional on three continents and his inclusive interfaith approach. He is an alumnus of the first cohort of AFP's Fellowship in Inclusion and Philanthropy, Interfaith America’s Interfaith Innovation Fellowship, KAICIID International Fellowship and many other projects.

Terry Pearl is a proven nonprofit leader and successful strategist in fundraising, strategic planning, campaigns, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and board development. After working as an in-house fundraiser, Terry became a consultant to nonprofits, primarily those in research fields or led by and serving women. Over a philanthropic career spanning two decades, she has cumulatively raised more than $200 million for nonprofits across the globe, including principal gifts as large as $50 million. As a development consultant, she has partnered with a diverse group of organizations including the College Completion Innovation Fund at CUNY, the Society for Nuclear Medicine, American Society of the University of Haifa, T1D Exchange, Cohen Veterans Bioscience, Investors Alliance for Social Justice, and HousingPlus.

Prior to working as a consultant, Terry served in a variety of fundraising leadership roles including Chief Development Officer for St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, NJ; Vice President, Development, for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; and Chief Advancement Officer for The Headstrong Project, a national organization providing free mental health to veterans. She has also served as the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for NYU Langone Health, as well as Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Mount Sinai Health and Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ.

Terry earned a Master of Public Administration in Non-Profit Management and a Master of Business Administration in Leadership from the University of Miami. She holds a BA in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania. Terry has served on the Board of Directors for the United Synagogue of Hoboken, Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City, NJ, the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ New Jersey Chapter, and the Morristown Rotary Club, as well as Chair of Strategic Planning for the Synagogue of Hoboken, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. She is a graduate of Lead New Jersey and Leadership Morris.

Dr. Lori Guenther Reesor completed her Doctor of Ministry degree researching Christian giving in Canada. She studied both statistics and theology and is especially grateful for university and college libraries everywhere! She blogs at www.lgreesor.com and has written a book Growing a Generous Church: A Year in the Life of Peach Blossom Church.

An acknowledged leader in Jewish philanthropy, Ann Rosenfield works directly with donors as a one-person fundraising shop at Temple Sinai of Toronto. Ann has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Report on Business, CBC, Toronto Star, Macleans, and other media on fundraising. She has spoken on philanthropy across the US and Canada and Europe. She is a past Board member for ATID (Advancing Temple Institutional Fundraising), the professional association for North American Jewish fundraising professionals.

Katie Sampson serves her alma mater, Temple University, as the Executive Director of Alumni Relations. In this role, she oversees a team that executes a comprehensive engagement strategy for Temple’s more than 370,000 living alumni. Prior to this role, Katie served as the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at the University of the Arts, fostering increased connectivity and collaboration among the artist alumni community. Katie has received several accolades, including the 2021 CASE District II Platinum Award Honorable Mention for Best Practices in Alumni Relations and the Gold Accolades Award for Targeted Constituency Engagement. She was also awarded the 2019 Jerry F. Tardy Fellowship with the Council for Alumni Association Executives, the 2018 Mazzotti Women’s Leadership Award, the 2017 University Advancement - Above and Beyond Award, the 2016 University Advancement - Rising Star Award, and the 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award from Rider University. Katie holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Delaware, a Master of Music in Opera Performance from Temple University, and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing Management from Wilmington University. 

Loren Savage is a seasoned professional with over 23 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, currently at Rutgers Health as Associate Vice President and Rutgers Cancer Institute as Chief Development Officer. Loren has previously held several positions at Huntsman Cancer Foundation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship from DePaul University.

Throughout his career, Loren has demonstrated a strong commitment to social causes and has been instrumental in driving positive change within various organizations.

Dylan Star serves as the Associate Director of Traditional & Regional Events at Moravian University & Moravian Theological Seminary (Bethlehem, PA) and Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA). She held previous positions in a variety of industries ranging from advertising (Philadelphia, PA) to property management to residential solar (Denver, CO).

Dylan has experience planning and executing both small and large events for a wide demographic of individuals. At Moravian, she oversees engagement events for all Moravian alumni and families. Her large-scale events include Homecoming, Family Day, the Shining Lights Awards, and Founders Week. She also oversees our bi-weekly events bulletin and podcast, Houndcast. 

Dylan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies with minors in sociology and web technology from West Chester University. Dylan furthered her learning by completing her yoga teacher certification in 2020.

As Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Syracuse University, Lauren directs a comprehensive programming, volunteer, annual giving, and communications strategy designed to deepen meaningful engagement among Syracuse University’s 300,000+ alumni worldwide. She collaborates with the Syracuse University Alumni Association Board of Directors, campus stakeholders, and volunteer leaders to support philanthropic and engagement priorities associated with the Forever Orange campaign. 

Prior to joining the Syracuse University team in July 2022, Lauren was Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of the Alumni Board of Governors at Drexel University in Philadelphia. In this role, she developed the strategy to guide programs, volunteer engagement, and data management in the context of the university’s recently concluded $750 million campaign, The Future Is a Place We Make. 

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications, a Master of Science in higher education administration and organizational management, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and management, from Drexel University. Her research interests center on talent management and gender in higher education institutional advancement. She has also served as an adjunct instructor for Drexel’s School of Education and College of Arts and Sciences and has presented on numerous topics for CASE and Academic Impressions.

Jessica Weaver is the Principal Gift Officer and Director of Family Philanthropy Officer at Moravian University and oversees the Zinzendorf Family Fellows. Jessica has 15+ years of experience in higher education fundraising. Jessica started her philanthropy career at her alma mater, Lehigh University. At Lehigh, Jessica worked closely with their well-established Parents’ Council and learned how much she enjoyed partnering with families. Jessica then joined the Advancement team at Muhlenberg College where she directly oversaw their Parents’ Council. During her time at Muhlenberg, Jessica was able to increase the giving, membership, and engagement of Parents’ Council members. Jessica then joined Moravian University where she established the Zinzendorf Family Fellows, a philanthropic giving society comprised of families dedicated to supporting Moravian philanthropically. Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters of Arts in Political Science from Lehigh University.

Daphne Wyse is the regional director of advancement for the southwest region at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), working primarily with constituents in California and Arizona. Based in San Francisco, CA, she has been a fully remote member of RIT’s Regional Advancement team since joining the division of University Advancement in 2021. 

Since coming to RIT, Daphne has helped develop a new landscape for philanthropic engagement among RIT’s alumni, parents, and friends in her region, with a particular focus on Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to consistently engaging top prospects and donors with her “local” presence, Daphne also launched RIT’s first Regional Council in Los Angeles as a way to cultivate and connect the University’s most influential leaders in the region. 

Prior to RIT, Daphne worked for Alumni Relations and Development at Northwestern University for six years, ending her tenure as the senior associate director for leadership giving for the West Coast. A Buffalo, NY native, Daphne holds a BA in history from Niagara University, an MA in history with a concentration in museum studies from SUNY Buffalo State, and an MBA from Niagara University. In her spare time, she serves as co-chair of the Associate Board for the Bay Area chapter of Girls on the Run International and leads the San Francisco Bay Area alumni chapter for her alma mater, Niagara University.