Edgar Gonzalez is an experienced and proven leader, team-builder, and collaborator with over 20 years of experience in higher education advancement and program development. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of University Advancement at Seattle University. Prior to joining Seattle University, Edgar held leadership roles at Oregon Health and Science University, the University of Washington, and the Alliance for Education.

A native of Argentina, Edgar and his family emigrated to the US when he was 9 years old in pursuit of the American dream. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, he has dedicated his entire career to working in higher education and ensuring that everyone has access. Edgar is passionate about the positive impact philanthropy can have on the institutions, communities, and individuals he is fortunate to serve. His career has always been focused on building institutional capacity through cultivating deep relationships, transformative philanthropy, leadership development and impactful branding and storytelling. 
 

“Mo,” as she is called by family, friends, and colleagues is the senior vice president for stakeholder engagement and chief of organizational operations (SVP-COO), with responsibility for driving operational and capital campaign strategy, overseeing key administrative functions, and guiding a culture of inclusivity for the UConn Foundation. Mo oversees the departments of alumni relations, marketing and communications, annual giving, stewardship, and board engagement.

Mo was recruited to join the UConn Alumni Association as the Executive Director and Assistant Vice President for alumni relations in 2014. Mo brought with her a national reputation for strong leadership built over two decades in higher education advancement. Mo is known for her ability to lead across departments while building collaborative relationships to enhance the experiences of staff, students, alumni, and friends.

Mo believes that mentorship and sponsorship of not only her staff and colleagues but also those from other institutions is incredibly important. She gives of her time and talent as much as she can and is currently an active member of the Case Board of Trustees. She has been on the faculty for the Case Minority Institute (MAI), Senior Alumni Relations Institute and was a member of the 2018 Case Summit planning committee.

Previously she was executive director of Bowling Green State University’s Alumni Association. Mo received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BGSU.

Mo has more than 26 years of experience with higher education institutions in the university advancement field where she has developed exemplary leadership, created strategic plans, cultivated organizational change, and is known nationally as a leader in the industry.

Michael Reza is an established leader that believes higher education can transform the lives of individuals, communities, and society. This belief drives his passion for the work that we do as Advancement professionals. Michael serves as the Vice President for University Advancement at Sacramento State University and Executive Officer of the University Foundation at Sacramento State. Sacramento State University is the 4th most diverse campus in the Western U.S. and is committed to serving a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, Hispanic Serving Institution, and California State Assembly recognized Black Serving Institution.

Michael has more than 19 years of experience in higher education advancement at large public and small private institutions. Prior to Sacramento State, he served as Associate Vice President for Portland Development and Alumni Engagement at the University of Oregon and as Vice President for Advancement at George Fox University. 

While at UO, Michael helped launch a new campus and fundraising initiatives to support the efforts of UO Portland and the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health. Under Michael’s leadership, GFU doubled their fundraising in three years and launched a successful capital campaign. Michael’s career has also included progressive roles in advancement at the University of Arizona, UC Irvine and Oregon State University. He is an active volunteer with CASE and completed his term as Chair of CASE District VIII in June 2022 and has served on the faculty for Major Gift Strategies, Minority Advancement Institute, and Newcomers to Advancement.

Carl Simien, Ph.D. (he/him) is Senior Manager for DEIB Learnings with CASE’s Opportunity & Inclusion Center. An experienced higher education practitioner Dr. Simien brings with him a deep background in student affairs, alumni engagement, diversity and inclusion training, and mentoring college students and professionals.

Dr. Simien has over 10 years of experience working in student development and engagement in community organizations and higher education. He is skilled in leading DEIB initiatives, facilitating staff development, recruitment, and outreach and among diverse communities. Dr. Simien’s experience as a first-generation college graduate has shaped his passion and ambition for education, empowering students, and professionals, advocating for DEIB, and cultivating inclusive organizations and communities.

Dr. Simien has managed CASE Early Career Talent Programs, leading college student engagement and recruitment efforts. He also actively engaged CASE volunteers to provide a conference for undergraduate and graduate students interning with CASE. He is a former Director in Multicultural and Diversity Affairs at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He previously served as Director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center in Macomb, Illinois, and as College and Career Director of Umoja Student Development Corporation in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Simien earned his Ph.D. in leadership development at the University of Florida. He completed master’s degrees in college student personnel at Western Illinois University, and in liberal studies with a concentration in theology at Valparaiso University. He earned his B.A. at Valparaiso University in communication. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Morrel Wax is dedicated to non-profit fundraising and entrepreneurship, believing private donor generosity and business development can transform individual lives and benefit the community and country.

Morrel serves as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Relations at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF) (the province's most prominent hospital) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  There, he leads the team that helped the organization reach historical achievement three years in a row ($22 million per year) during the organization's most challenging time, the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, he oversees the fund development strategy with internal and external stakeholders, is responsible for case development for the various centers of excellence, and manages a team of 13 and counting.  On top of that, he has a thriving client appreciation business called Moments By Morrel. Moments by Morrel helps his clients say "thank you" to their clients through personalized, curated experiences. Examples could be anything from gifts to retention strategies to events.

In recognition of his leadership and successful partnerships with donors and business development, Morrel has received several prestigious awards, including Edify Magazine 40 Under 40 (Class of 2022), the 2018 CASE Diversity and Inclusion Scholar, and the Association of Hospital Philanthropy 2022 40 Under 40 winner. He uses these recognitions to advocate for resilient populations and invest in the local community, yelling loudly for Edmonton any chance he gets. 

Before moving to Canada seven years ago, Morrel held a few corporate/foundation relations positions and academic advising positions at Miami University in Ohio. There, he began his journey as an official entrepreneur managing the busiest bar/lounge in the city. 

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, he has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska and was an active student leader in various organizations; Morrel also earned a Master's degree in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Central Missouri in 2011.

Morrel loves traveling, karaoke, and trying local restaurants in between going to comedy shows and concerts. He gives countless hours to volunteering and mentoring youth and young professionals interested in non-profit work.