The opening keynote will address urgent issues and set the framing for our time together, providing insights into the current environment for our work. Renowned legal scholar and longtime academic leader William Treanor will engage us in conversation about what education is currently facing, how academic leaders are navigating the terrain, and the relationship between the academic enterprise and advancement team to ensure institutional success, particularly during challenging times.

In 2004, Scott Jaschik and Doug Lederman, along with another partner, left the Chronicle of Higher Education to create the upstart, all digital, Inside Higher Ed. In the past year, they have both retired, so now it is our chance to interview them instead of them interviewing us. Join this “In Conversation” session for exactly that – a facilitated conversation about their experiences and insights from their careers. We’ll ask them what we did right as institutional communicators, what we could have done better, and what is at stake right now for education and the media.

Changing global dynamics are creating new opportunities for higher education in Latin America. During this session, Dr. Fernando León-García, President, CETYS University, will engage with a panel of advancement leaders from across the region, to explore the trends, political dynamics, opportunities and challenges in advancing education in their countries and beyond. This session is designed to share insights, explore possibility, and provide valuable context for advancement leaders from Latin America as well as those with a keen interest in learning more about higher education in the region.

Over the past year, CASE embarked on a research project with leading fundraising institutions on the use of generative AI in Advancement The findings and results will be shared to frame further conversations taking place throughout the Summit. This project provides both insights on current use of AI in Advancement and a detailed roadmap of next steps for accelerating your adoption. Recommended actions for leaders to position their teams for success in AI will also be highlighted.

As advancement evolves, so does our understanding of alumni engagement. With six years of CASE data, institutions are redefining how they measure engagement and connect it to strategic goals. Join Jenny Cooke Smith (CASE) and Julie Decker (Florida State University) as they explore shifts in engagement strategy—from data use to measuring engagement across key constituencies beyond alumni. Julie will share how Florida State is planning for an outcomes-focused future, while Jenny offers insights and solutions from across the field. Then, on Monday from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., we will continue the conversation in a Strategy Lab session to workshop ideas and actions to increase engagement.

Research conducted at educational institutions impacts many aspects of life and has dramatic impact on global health in particular. The WHO Foundation, which supports the World Health Organization, works with private funders and partners to advance WHO’s impact. CEO Anil Soni, an innovative leader in global health, will share the Foundation’s approach to its complex work during times of radical change to funding models, illuminating the importance of cooperative effort, and the borderless impact of both health problems and solutions.

Advancement operates at the intersection between the institution and its constituents, and the institution’s CEO is its most visible champion. Advancement leaders need a window into the CEO’s perspective and the pressures leaders face. In this plenary session, CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham will engage with three presidents about their goals, challenges, and how advancement leaders can best support them.

This Strategy Lab will engage participants around practices for engaging your diverse range of institutional constituents toward shared goals. As a follow up from the Sunday afternoon elective session, “Rethinking Engagement: Data-Informed Strategies for a Changing Advancement Landscape,” this session will provide a workshop-type environment for generative discussion and testing ideas with others.

Building on the global perspectives shared by university presidents, this session is designed for senior professionals looking to translate international leadership insights into concrete advancement strategies. As leaders worldwide navigate financial pressures, political shifts, and changing student demographics, we are being called to adapt our approaches in equally dynamic ways. This session brings together seasoned advancement leaders who will explore how global trends and partnerships in education—such as digital transformation, access and equity, internationalization, and institutional resilience—can inform and reshape fundraising priorities and donor engagement strategies. Panelists will share real-world examples of how their institutions have adapted to emerging challenges and seized new opportunities for mission-aligned giving, including international alumni engagement, global partnership building, and mobilizing support for strategic transformation.

Leadership in the Age of AI: Navigating Risks and Embracing the Future As artificial intelligence reshapes the philanthropic landscape, Advancement leaders must guide their institutions through transformative opportunities while addressing ethical considerations. This session explores how Clark University is leveraging AI, through an Advancement AI Lab and reorganizing its team, to align ambitious campaign strategies, including a fourfold increase in goals, with its institutional mission. Attendees will gain actionable insights into using AI to personalize donor outreach, optimize campaign execution, and boost team performance, with data showing AI-driven tools can double visits, increase efficiency, and lower employee burnout. With practical takeaways for crafting bold, future-ready strategies, this session will equip senior leaders with the tools to harness AI’s potential while safeguarding trust and values.
Speakers: Brent Grinna and Joe Manok