Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award was established in 2004 and recognizes a person with seven (7) years or less of advancement experience whose early accomplishments distinguish them as possible future leaders in the profession. The candidates should be individuals whose performance demonstrates innovation, professionalism and leadership qualities. CASE District VII encourages and supports the Rising Star winner by paying the District VII conference registration fee for the annual award recipient.

 The criteria for nomination is:
  • Seven years or less professional experience in any advancement area
  • A demonstrated and consistently high level of professional achievement
  • Strong leadership qualities
  • A strong commitment to the advancement profession
  • An affiliation with CASE and/or NAIS.
Nomination Process:

District VII will not be accepting nominations for 2021. The People Awards will resume in 2022.

Past Award Winners

  • Margaret Stutt, Associate Director of Donor Stewardship University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business
  • Michael Smart, Media Relations Manager, Brigham Young University, Utah
  • Lisa A. Lapin, Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Communications, UC Davis, California
  • Michael Remedi, Director of Development, Arizona State University, Arizona
  • Marilyn Grinsdale, Protocol and Government Relations Officer, Citrus College, Glendora, CA
  • Andre Khachtourians, Annual Giving Manager, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
  • Adam Jarman, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
  • Andrew DiNuzzo, Major Gifts Officer, University of California, Irvine
  • Brandon Buzbee, Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement, University of California, San Diego
  • Pam Pacelli, Director of Major Gifts, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis
  • Jon McBride, Media Relations and Social Media Manager, Brigham Young University
  • Megann Padovani, Lead Applications Developer, University of California, Davis