Meet the Guest Speakers
Daniel Brennan
Currently the Manager, Alumni Engagement, Daniel currently oversees a broad spectrum of alumni engagement initiatives at UQ. Having previously worked in local and state government, TAFE and universities overseas, he has significant experience in utilising marketing, communication, social media and experiential channels to deliver key messages and increase community participation and affinity. Daniel has a Bachelor of Arts from Griffith University and a Graduate Diploma (Education) from QUT.
Dan Dillon
Dan Dillon Jr. was appointed ASU chief marketing officer and senior vice president in September 2013. His primary focus is the advancement of affinity for the university, including the enhancement and consistency of brand integrity and innovative, impactful marketing activities across ASU.
Dillon is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years in domestic and global management roles in the consumer packaged goods and restaurant industries. Dillon has served in C-level and executive positions for leading U.S. companies, including General Mills, Keebler, Nabisco, Heinz, Con Agra, and Coca-Cola. Prior to coming to ASU, Dillon was chief marketing officer at Outback Steakhouse and most recently the executive vice president at Ruby Tuesday Inc.
Elissa Gale
Elissa leads the philanthropy program at Geelong Grammar School as Head of Advancement and Executive Director of the Geelong Grammar Foundation.
She has spent her career before this in University Advancement and the charitable sector, with experience in philanthropy, alumni engagement and advancement operations. Elissa relocated from Sydney in 2016 to join the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, following roles with Western Sydney University and the University of Wollongong.
Monique Harper-Richardson
Monique Harper-Richardson is the director of advancement at the University of Wollongong. With twenty years' experience in higher education, Monique is responsible for the strategic leadership of the university's advancement programme incorporating alumni engagement, philanthropic programmes, and community engagement.
Under Monique's leadership the advancement portfolio has rapidly expanded, including strong growth in philanthropic support for flagship initiatives including the largest gift received by the university. A recent addition is the UOW USA Foundation, created to provide opportunities for engagement with US based alumni and organisations.
Monique has a bachelor of commerce (economics and marketing), a master of strategic marketing, post graduate certificate in Scottish culture and heritage from the University of Edinburgh and is an alumna of Commonwealth Study Conference Leaders programme.
Dr Rob Harris
Dr Rob Harris is an Honorary Associate of the UTS Business School and the former Director of The Australian Centre for Event Management UTS. Rob has been actively involved in event management training, education and curriculum development for over 20 years and has worked on a consulting basis for a range of organisations, including Destination NSW, Arts ACT, The United Nations, various local government authorities, and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. He was a foundation director of the Festivals and Events Association of Australia and founded the Event Education and Research Network Australia. Rob is also co-author of the popular texts Festival and Special Event Management, and Event Management.
Lee Sok Yuen
With a passion for youth development, Sok Yuen joined the SMU Office of Student Life in 2010 and oversaw the development, growth and operations of student groups ranging from the SMU Students’ Association, SMU Ambassadorial Corps, special interest and sports clubs. Most recently, she was also part of the pioneer team that started the newly minted Student Services Hub in SMU, before joining OAR in Dec 2017. Prior to joining SMU, she worked at Outward Bound Singapore as an instructor and a Programme Manager for seven years.
Mark Sollis
Noted for disruptive thinking and willingness to challenge the status quo, Mark is the founder of global higher ed consultancy, D3 Advancement Strategies, and Strategic Growth Director for ed tech firm, Neutopia.
Having served in leadership roles in higher education and politics, he now works with institutions and colleagues in the areas of strategy and planning; stakeholder engagement, digital engagement; metrics and performance management; and organisational development. His post-secondary experience also includes major project management, media relations; and finance.
Mark has extensive experience working with clients and speaking in Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe.
Brenda Tournier
Privileged to lead alumni engagement at UWA since 2013 when the University launched its first major fundraising campaign [and her position was created], Brenda believes the future relies on human connection: our ability to recognise what needs to be done and then come together to make it happen. In her work, she sees the power of community every day and it is her absolute passion to bring people together in meaningful ways to make a difference. Universities and alumni were made for that.
Brenda draws on a broad-based background and experience ranging from alumni relations to entrepreneurship, marketing, business consulting, communications and community relations. At UWA, she has also had been responsible for the areas of alumni communications, events, regular giving and [formerly] donor stewardship.
Fred Weiss
Fred Weiss has spent 30-plus years in higher education technology, primarily in the advancement space. He started his career as a fundraiser at his alma mater, Boston University. From there, he worked at what is now Ellucian for more than 20 years, and what is now Anthology for more than five. He is a CASE Laureate, a former CASE board member, and a former CASE vice president, having launched CASE’s AMAtlas. He is now the president and CEO of Othot, a company that provides AI solutions which serve higher education advancement, enrollment, and student success.
Tahnee Woodham
With over 11 years of experience in marketing and communications, Tahnee Woodham has developed a range of brand narratives, campaigns and digital experiences for some of Australia’s leading retailers, non-for-profits and universities.
Her current role as the Engagement and Marketing Manager of Alumni sees her responsible for global marketing and customer experience design for over 430,000 alumni across Australia, Asia and Europe.