Alumless

Sorry listeners! Uploading this one from two weeks ago. Chris and Ryan welcome Jeff Williams, Assistant Vice President for People and Engagement at the University of Maryland, for a conversation focused on the internal dynamics of advancement work. With a role that blends talent development, team culture, and stakeholder engagement, Jeff offers a unique perspective on how investing in people directly influences external engagement success. The conversation explores Jeff’s first year in the role and strategies for building a high-performing culture. Jeff also discusses how internal partnerships and professional development can help advancement shops retain top talent and create more integrated approaches to alumni and donor engagement. Subscribe to Alumless for the extended podcast conversation, including our 30-minute bonus segment with Jeff, and special thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about the technology that helped LSE and Northwestern win CASE awards in 2024.

On this week’s Alumless, Chris and Ryan welcome Jeff Williams, Assistant Vice President for People and Engagement at the University of Maryland, for a conversation focused on the internal dynamics of advancement work. With a role that blends talent development, team culture, and stakeholder engagement, Jeff offers a unique perspective on how investing in people directly influences external engagement success.

In this episode of Alumless, hosts Ryan and Chris are joined by Sean Devendorf, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Tufts University, for a conversation on aligning alumni engagement and annual giving teams to drive more efficient and effective advancement outcomes.

In this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris are joined by Gina Yazzolino, Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement at the University of Portland, for a conversation about how engagement strategy is evolving to include more than just alumni. Gina shares insights from her work building a constituent engagement team that casts a broader net.

Our conversation explores how Gina and her team are working to align engagement with fundraising and integrate engagement into a unified advancement model. Gina also discusses the challenges of cultural change, the role of strategic communications, and how institutions can bridge long-standing gaps between engagement and development work.

Subscribe to Alumless for the extended podcast conversation, and thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about their unique technology that helps alumni teams scale volunteerism. 

In this episode of Alumless, Chris Marshall and Nicole Kempton explore the growing intersection of innovation and university advancement with Dr. Davy Norris, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Advancement and CEO of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Louisiana Tech recently made a bold move by merging its Innovation Enterprise with University Advancement, a strategic shift that positions alumni, research, and economic development at the heart of institutional growth.

Davy shares what prompted this integration, how it aligns with Louisiana Tech’s mission, and what it means for philanthropy, industry partnerships, and alumni engagement. The conversation dives into the future of alumni participation in innovation, the role of advancement in supporting research commercialization, and how this model could reshape regional economic development.

This episode provides key insights for institutions rethinking how advancement and innovation can work together to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni.

Subscribe to Alumless to hear the extended podcast conversation, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for details on their events-and-all technology.

In our next episode of Alumless, we welcome Sarah Kathryn Ricci, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Baylor University, for a conversation on management and leadership in university advancement. In this episode, "Managing Up, Down, All-Around," we explore the challenges of leading teams, collaborating across departments, and engaging alumni volunteers.

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Friday Cheers:

Ryan: 10 Proven Methods for Real Learning

In this episode of Alumless, Ryan Catherwood and Chris Marshall explore how alumni associations can generate new revenue streams while continuing to build strong engagement. With traditional revenue sources like affinity partnerships and membership dues fading, alumni professionals are being challenged to innovate and adapt in ways that align with their mission.

Ryan's Friday Cheers - Alumni Sign Letter of Complaint After Vought Controversy (Wheaton College)

Subscribe to Alumless World on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

Listeners will hear how international and boarding schools navigate the challenges of transient student populations, ensuring long-term alumni engagement and successful philanthropy programs. Mandy will reflect on her own journey in advancement, from her early career in South Africa to leadership roles in Australia, emphasizing the impact of professional networks and mentorship in the industry.

This episode offers a global perspective on alumni engagement, with actionable insights for advancement professionals worldwide. Alumless World airs every other Friday at 11:30 a.m. GMT, alternating weeks with Alumless. Subscribe to the podcast to hear the entire conversation, including an extended segment with Mandy. 

Special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode!

On this episode of Alumless, Cindy Fredrick, Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement at the University of Virginia, joins us to discuss the crucial role that volunteers play in engagement and philanthropy. With over 5,000 volunteers involved in UVA Advancement’s efforts, Cindy brings her expertise in scaling volunteer programs, stewarding alumni, and maximizing their impact on the conversation.

We dive into how volunteerism in advancement has evolved over the years and discuss best practices for engaging and stewarding alumni, faculty, and parent-family volunteers. Cindy shares insights on innovative engagement strategies beyond event-based participation and explains how institutions can cultivate a volunteer pipeline that moves supporters from small commitments to high-impact leadership roles.

Thanks to Protopia for supporting Alumless. For more information about their AI-powered technology that’s helped schools like LSE and Northwestern win CASE awards in 2024, visit protopia.co/alumless.

In this first episode, we welcome Dr. Maria Gallo, Founder of KITE-Keep in Touch Education and Research Fellow at Trinity Business School. Maria shares insights from her research and experience in alumni relations as we discuss the concept of ‘alumni potential’ and how institutions foster lifelong connections with their graduates. We also dive into global trends, cultural differences in engagement, and key takeaways from her book The Alumni Way.

Tune in every other Friday at 11:30 a.m. GMT on LinkedIn and Youtube for more conversations with experts shaping the future of alumni engagement worldwide. We alternate weeks between Alumless and Alumless World.

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Protopia, for supporting Alumless World. Don’t forget to subscribe and join us on this exciting new journey! Visit protopia.co/alumless.