Alumni Trending Podcast

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Wendy Wilsker, managing partner, with Boyden, an international executive search firm.  Our trend lines include:

• the current state of executive search;
• allyship for the Jewish community; and 
• understanding the executive search process. 

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Steven Mezzacappa, author of Passion With Purpose.  Our trend lines include:

• go beyond living your passion...experience it ;
• struggles with depression and removing mental health stigma; and 
• understanding career and personal fulfillment. 

Special rate: Download his new book for .99 cents on Amazon

Website: http://www.passionwithpurpose.life/ 

Bio
Steven Mezzacappa is a  graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree with a concentration in Construction Management. It was during his five years at Penn State that the vision for Passion With Purpose was born.

Thoughts for such an organization came to Steve as early as his freshman year. Seeing a college culture engulfed by peer pressure, and the immense challenges of authenticity faced by his peers, Steve dreamed of an organization one day being on campus that would give students the tools and atmosphere to be authentic and pursue their passions despite the overwhelming obstacles to do so while in college. It is here where the motto for Passion With Purpose originates - Semper Authentica - Always Authentic. 

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Dr. Yonette Thomas of Strategic Transitions LLC.  Our trend lines include:

• when your career lightbulb flickers;
• incorporating all your passions; and 
• the ongoing social justice movement and push for equity in higher education.

Bio
Dr. Yonette Felicity Thomas is a globally acknowledged thought leader, urban health champion, and an advocate for valuing the health of women and girls as an economic imperative.  A social epidemiologist/medical sociologist, she founded UrbanHealth360, an NGO focused on the health of urban populations in the Global South and has served as the chief of Epidemiology in the NIDA/NIH, held academic positions at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Howard University, and as a vice president for research. Following her passion, she founded Strategic Transitions LLC to help individuals at all stages of their journey make strategic professional transitions while keeping their passion alive.  See more about Dr. Thomas’ work at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryonettefthomas/.  As a founding board member of Women’s Economic Imperative (WEI), she leads the organization’s focus on the health of women and girls as an economic value. Her work as a board member of LVCT Health in Nairobi, Kenya, and as a global advisor for Evidence for Sustainable Human Development Systems in Africa (EVIHDAF) and the Centre for Urban Health and Development within the Asian Institute of Poverty Alleviation (CUHD-AIPA) extends her focus on the global south and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals in this last decade. She is the Associate Editor for Women and Girls for Cities & Health.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.yonettethomasphd.com

LN: www.linkedin.com/in/dryonettefthomas/

Twitter: @YFThomasPhD

On this episode of the podcast, I talk with Dale Wright, Associate Dean of Advancement in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois.  Our trend lines include:

• the transition from alumni relations to development and the tough decision to leave your alma mater;
• preparing young professionals for a career in advancement;
• helping Deans and academic leaders build their fundraising acumen; and 
• the ongoing social justice movement and push for equity in higher education.

On this episode, I talk with Lauren Hamilton, Associate Director of Student and Recent Alumni Programs at Boise State.

Trendlines include:

• the challenge of COVID,
• Student Engagement, and
• the CASE ASAP community.

This episode's trend lines include:

• the impact of developing your team;
• launching a campaign during a pandemic; and
• and service to CASE.

Bio
Shaun Keister became UC Davis’ first vice chancellor for development and alumni relations in 2011 and functions as the campus’s chief development officer, leading a team of over 300, and president of the UC Davis Foundation. In his role as vice chancellor, Keister also serves on the Chancellor’s Leadership Council. He led UC Davis in completing its first comprehensive campaign raising more than $1.13 billion from 110,000 donors. He led the planning and recent execution of the university’s $2 billion Expect Greater campaign launch. 

Previously, Keister served in leadership development roles at Penn State, Florida State, and Iowa State. 

Keister is an active member of CASE, having both chaired and participated in many district, national, and international conferences. He is a recipient of the CASE Crystal Apple award in recognition of his outstanding performance at CASE international educational programs. Most recently, Keister has served on the CASE Philanthropy Commission.  

Keister has a bachelor's degree in political science from Penn State and a master's and doctoral degree in sociology from Iowa State. 

On this episode of Alumni Trending, we dive into engaging diverse alumni with the University of Oregon's, A. Philanda Moore.  Trend lines include:

• Aspen Leadership Group Diversity Talent Partnership,
• importance of data collection and utilization,
• engaging diverse alumni, and
• a little bit about HBCU marching bands!

Bio
A. Philanda (A.P.) Moore is the assistant director for alumni engagement, affinity groups. As the point of contact for the minority, special interest, and professional alumni constituencies groups, A.P. provides support for event and programming planning, implementation and execution, membership growth, and volunteer recruitment for the various groups. A.P. graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2011 with a BBA in supply chain management, after moving cross-country to Atlanta from his hometown, Sacramento. Post-graduation, he became an IT consultant for three years and during his training lived in India for five weeks. He moved back to Sacramento where he became a substitute teacher and then later began working for UC Davis Development and Alumni Relations-Advancement Services. During his free time he enjoys watching, coaching, and playing sports–go Kings!–playing trivia, and watching movies.

On this episode of Alumni Trending, we talk with Todd McCubbin, Executive Director of the Mizzou Alumni Association.  Trendlines include:

• learnings from Covid-19;
• building a diversity, equity, and inclusion infrastructure; and
• disruption in Alumni Engagement.

Bio
Todd is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Mizzou Alumni Association. As the chief alumni relations officer, Todd leads the alumni relations, annual giving, donor relations and advancement marketing and communication teams. Todd joined the Mizzou Alumni Association staff in 1995 and recently celebrated 25 years at Mizzou. During his tenure, he has served on two advancement leadership teams who completed $1 billion campaigns.

Since 2000, the Mizzou Alumni Association has won 26 national programming awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Todd has served in numerous district and national roles for CASE including the Commission on Alumni Relations. He is a longtime member and former board member for the Council of Alumni Association Executives.

On this episode,  I talk with Sara Wald, Senior Director of Development with the NDSU Foundation:
Today's trend lines include:
- her career journey,
- support of colleagues through COVID -19, 
- and a little NDSU Bison sports talk.

Bio
Sara Wald has worked in higher education advancement for 19 years at North Dakota State University. Passion for keeping alumni and students connected has driven Sara’s career. She has seen how connecting people creates synergy in alumni, donors, faculty, and students. She has been active in CASE District VI for her entire career and currently serves on the Cabinet for the district.  

Sara is an avid sports fan and enjoys watching the Bison and San Francisco 49ers.

What's Up Trendsetters!

Today, I talk with Rob DiMartino, Co-founder and Chief Evangelist at Finalsite:
Today's trend lines include:
- the entrepreneurial journey,
- key elements of an engagement strategy, 
- UConn sports, and
- life and leadership lessons learned from Dee Rowe.

Bio

Rob DiMartino, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist at Finalsite, has presented globally on effective use of strategic web communications for independent schools.  Rob brings 25 years of experience working with the internet in the education arena.  For the past two decades, Rob has been a thought leader at Finalsite guiding their way through web strategy, marketing, communications, data integration and most importantly digital engagement.  

Rob brings experience, trends, and real world “takeaways” to audiences about maximizing technology to increase efficiencies in the independent school environment.  Prior to Finalsite, Rob led innovative efforts in digital engagement for Athletics and Alumni Relations at his alma mater, The University of Connecticut.  Rob resides in Connecticut with his wife, Liza and their four children, Skylar, Jackson, Tristan, and Lucas.