Programs and Workshops
Regional Drive-In Event: Victoria, BC
September 27, 2023
3:30pm-6:00pm
Sngequ House (Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ), University of Victoria
Interested in volunteering for the event? Please reach out to Sofia Janmohamed.
Evolutionizing DEI: Igniting the Heart to Create Cultures of Belonging
In this interactive and inspiring talk, Ame-Lia Tamburrini will use story-telling to shift the conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from the head to the heart. Moving at your own pace, you will experience the ease at which connection can be created regardless of how different you seem on the outside. What you learn in this engaging session will strengthen all your relationships and break down barriers in your DEI efforts. You'll leave with stronger connections with your colleagues and a new vision for what is possible in your community.

Ame-Lia Tamburrini
Ame-Lia Tamburrini is the founder and CEO of Hum Consulting. A master facilitator and international speaker, she moves organizations and communities beyond diversity, equity, and inclusion into cultures of leadership and belonging. With engaging talks, workshops and retreats, Ame-Lia shakes up entrenched systems to create a new world from the inside out.
She has honed her skills of bringing people together with over 20 years engaging with rural, remote and Indigenous communities around the world in resource extraction, housing, public health, restorative justice and education. She has a Masters of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. Her Masters thesis was awarded the Governor General's Award in 2008.
Ame-Lia is also a national triathlon champion, a cancer thriver and a proud Italian who loves food, language and learning. She is grateful to all her teachers who have guided her closer to her true self and the wise inner voice that never fails to point her in the direction of her heart.
Venue Sponsor:

Best of CASE District VIII Speaker Series
Join us for the Best of CASE District VIII Speaker Series, highlighting the award-winning accomplishments of members in our district.
Past Events:
Best of CASE District VIII: Advancement Services
Nov. 18, 2021
Oregon State University is integrating its multi-billion-dollar fundraising campaign with a comprehensive campaign for engagement. Beyond counting moments of engagement (as other engagement campaigns have done), OSU is driving and tracking the impact of alumni volunteerism and participation on the priorities of the university community. This outcome-based approach has created a mission-driven focus on engagement and has resulted in a framework that combines the data-driven opportunities of technology with the human impact to tell a story from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The work of utilizing tracking engagement tools has readied OSU for campaign success and created a meaningful impact for the university and its students.
Previous ToGather Discussions
To support essential dialogue and build community as our institutions respond to the COVID pandemic, CASE District VIII prepared a series of online conversations. The sessions, facilitated by leaders in District VIII, focused on an array of advancement disciplines.
Real Talk: Conversations With Black Indigenous People of Color and People of Color Leaders in Advancement
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 | 11–12 PM PT
The most recent CASE North American Compensation Survey reflects that only 12% of advancement professionals are of color and of that percentage, a much smaller percentage of those professionals are African American. In CASE District VIII, the number of BIPOC and POC advancement professionals is even less. Many BIPOC and POC advancement professionals find themselves isolated in their professional environment and without a community to support them, particularly in today's climate.
“Real Talk” brought together a panel of advancement leaders and created a space for BIPOC and POC advancement professionals to share, learn, heal and thrive.
Talent Management
Featured practitioners Christina Chang (Race and Equity Consultant), Melissa Long (Executive Director of Talent Management, University of Florida Advancement), Becky Rafferty (Vice President, Talent Management, University of Iowa Advancement), Chelsey Megli (Senior Director, Talent Management, University of Oregon Advancement), and Kim Nyoni (Associate Vice President for Development, University of Nevada-Las Vegas) discussed how professionals in their field are adapting during the COVID-19 crisis in a conversation moderated by Jason Thomas (Associate Director, Talent Management, Oregon State University Foundation; District VIII cabinet member).
Special Events
Featured practitioners Marguerite Collins Olding (Director, Donor and Alumni Events, University of British Columbia), Vanessa Ferreira (Executive Director, Strategic Events and Communications, University of Calgary), and Nancy Shanks (Director, Foundation and Alumni Events, Oregon State University) discussed their perspectives on how the pandemic is impacting their current and future strategies in this conversation moderated by John Grant, CASE District VIII board member and instructor in applied communications and public relations, Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
- Watch the recording of the CASE ToGather: District VIII Special Events
- Poll results: When is the best time to host online events?
Annual Giving
Featured practitioners Howard Heevner, (Executive Director, Annual Programs, University of California, Berkeley), Lacie LaRue (Executive Director, Development Strategies and Pipeline Programs, University of Oregon), Jennifer A. Maccormack, Senior Director, Annual Philanthropy and Advancement Analytics, University of Washington), Suzanne Ostrow (Senior Director of Annual Giving, University of British Columbia), Michelle Poesy (Senior Director, Annual & Special Gifts, University of California, Davis), and Stacy Rauch (Director of Annual Giving, University of Idaho) discussed how the pandemic is impacting their planning and strategies. The conversation was moderated by Tyrell Warren-Burnett (Oregon State University Foundation).
Technology and Advancement Services
Featured practitioners Mark Brovak (Chief Operating Officer for University Advancement, and Vice President and CFO, Western Washington University Foundation; District VIII Cabinet member; former treasurer), Mark Koenig (Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President of Technology, Oregon State University Foundation; 2019 CASE Distinguished Volunteer Service Award), and Vince Wong (Senior Director of Advancement Services, Simon Fraser University Advancement and Alumni Engagement) discussed the implications of the pandemic as our institutions work to ensure advancement operations and systems run smoothly. The conversation was moderated by John Grant (Instructor, Applied Communications and Public Relations, Kwantlen Polytechnic University).
Alumni Engagement
Featured practitioners Pam Aranas (Manager, Alumni Relations, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), Dianna DeBlaere (Director, Operations and Planning, University of British Columbia), Kelly Poort (Director, Alumni Relations, Lakeside School) and Ellen Whitlock Baker (Senior Director, Alumni and Constituent Engagement, University of Washington) discussed how alumni engagement professionals are adapting during the COVID-19 crisis in this conversation moderated by John Grant (Instructor, Applied Communications and Public Relations, Kwantlen Polytechnic University).
Campaigns and Fundraising
Featured practitioners: Paul Elstone (Senior Associate Vice President of Development, University of Oregon), Andrea Morris (Associate Vice President & Chief Development Officer, University of Calgary), Jane Potentier (Associate Vice President, Alumni & Development, University of Victoria), Michael Reza (Chief Advancement Officer & Vice President of Advancement, George Fox University) and Janelle Wakaruk (Executive Director of Development, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary)