RAISE Podcast

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast Brent sits down with Brooks Hull. Brooks brings over two decades of leadership experience in the advancement field to his position as Vice President for University Advancement at Louisiana Tech University. If you’re passionate about innovation in advancement, you’ll love this conversation.

About Brooks

Brooks joined Louisiana Tech in 2015, and leads the Louisiana Tech University Foundation including all alumni and development efforts for the University. Under his leadership, the Division has increased alumni engagement and donations significantly, and created thriving programs for students and young alumni, working to cultivate the next generation of Tech donors. In 2019, the University exceeded its $125 million goal for “Forever Loyal: The Campaign for Louisiana Tech,” the largest campaign in the institution’s history.

In 2010, Brooks joined Austin College as Vice President of Institutional Advancement. While there, he created a system of data-driven decision-making processes and implemented a strategic approach to building donor relationships and engagement. During his tenure, the college initiated a $125 million comprehensive campaign and increased church-related and estate giving in the process.

Prior to his role at Austin College, Brooks served in various development roles at the University of Oklahoma including director of development for the College of Architecture and the College of Education. He led development programs for the two colleges during an institutional-wide "Reach for Excellence" campaign. Following that, he served as director, then executive director, of development for the College of Engineering, providing leadership during a $100 million “Campaign for Engineering” which celebrated the college’s 100 years of engineering leadership for OU.

Brooks holds bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, and is a frequent presenter at both national and international conferences. For this, he was recognized as a 2019 CASE Stellar Speaker. Additionally, he has served on teams that have been recognized with numerous awards, including the CASE-Wealth ID Award for Fundraising and Overall Performance in 2002 and 2006, the CASE award for Overall Fundraising Improvement in 2018, and the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Fundraising Innovation Award in 2019. Most recently, his team at Louisiana Tech received the CASE Circle of Excellence Award for Overall Fundraising Performance in both 2020 and 2018.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent sits down with Kris Gulick Schaefer. Kris spent the last 10 years serving as Senior Associate Dean of External Relations and Global Programs at MIT Sloan. She received her crash course in all things Higher Ed as the daughter of a college Professor turned Dean, and finally President. She shared her journey with us, which took her across 12 different campuses between her career and her father's. This past summer Kris launched her own fundraising coaching and consulting business helping all types of institutions problem solve in this challenging environment.

About Kris

From January 2011 until June 2020 Kris was Senior Associate Dean of External Relations and Global Programs at MIT Sloan. During her time there giving to the MIT Campaign from Sloan graduates topped $525 million. At Sloan, Kris was also responsible for overseeing the international partnerships around the world which brought in revenue to the school and included relationships in China, Malaysia, Portugal, a new relationship with Australia and a dedicated office in Latin America.

From 1998-2010, Kris served as the Vice President of Advancement for Simmons College. Under her direction, The Dare to Imagine Campaign for Simmons raised 33% more than originally anticipated: with a $50M goal, the campaign concluded in 2004 with $69.3M raised. Prior to Simmons, Kris served as Vice President for Development and Director of Foundation Operations for Children’s Memorial Foundation in Chicago. Under her leadership, annual fundraising totals more than tripled in a three-year period from $7.6M to $25M. At Rice University, Kris was the Executive Director of Development and the Campaign Director for the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, where she led a $30M campaign to establish the Institute. Before joining Rice, Kris directed the annual fund at Texas Christian University. She launched her career at the University of Vermont working in the annual fund and with the parent’s fund program.

Kris’ accomplishments and active involvement in regional and national professional organizations have earned her the respect and admiration of her peers. She has served on the National Board of Trustees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and is a highly requested speaker and faculty member for CASE-sponsored conferences and institutes. Kris has been awarded the CASE Crystal Apple Award for outstanding teaching.

Kris is a graduate of Allegheny College and an active alumna volunteer most recently serving on the committee to hire the new Vice President for Advancement. She was deeply engaged at St. Lawrence University and the University of Delaware where her children were enrolled as undergraduates. Kris is engaged in community service as a mentor for Conexion and as an advisor to The Wily Network and OUT Metrowest.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast Brent caught up with Andy Shaindlin, Vice President for Alumni Relations at Brown University. Andy has led an impressive career as a leader in strategic alumni engagement with extensive experience at major research universities. When speaking with Advancement professionals, Brent has often said “all roads lead to Andy”.

About Andy

Andy Shaindlin serves as Vice President of Alumni Relations at Brown University. In this role he oversees all aspects of alumni relations for the University, creating and directing a comprehensive program of events, activities and organizations to engage Brown’s community of more than 90,000 alumni across the world. He serves as chief liaison to the Brown Alumni Association and provides leadership, vision and direction to the alumni relations staff in the Division of Advancement.

Throughout his career, he has been a frequent speaker and author on topics related to global nonprofit strategy and the effects of technology on organizations and their communities. In 2007, he launched Alumni Futures, a website devoted to the alumni relations profession and covering new directions and innovative ideas for nonprofit professionals.

Shaindlin has also chaired the Commission on Alumni Relations for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and served on the CASE Board of Trustees.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Brown, where he concentrated in international relations, Shaindlin earned a master of arts in education from Claremont Graduate University in California. His concentration was higher education administration.

On Giving Tuesday 2020 Brent sat down with Beth Crigler, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Beth shared some highlights from her long and successful career in development, including closing a major gift with Michael Jordan. She shares how getting to the donors interests is critical and how it can sometimes be found in unlikely places.

About Beth

Beth Crigler is a Certified Fundraising Executive and serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. As a 20 year veteran in the development profession, Beth has led numerous capital campaigns raising over $1 billion for charitable organizations in North Carolina. During her career, she has provided leadership for several non-profits including Novant Health Foundation, Charlotte Latin School, the US National Whitewater Center, Sharon Towers, and the Cabarrus County Boys and Girls Club.

While serving as the Senior Director, Leadership and Principal Gifts for Novant Health Foundation, Beth led capital campaigns and major gifts programs for 13 hospitals across North Carolina and Virginia. Beth was a consultant for a number of organizations throughout the Southeast. Her expertise includes executive search, nonprofit leadership and management, fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational development

Committed to the community, Beth has been involved in a number of organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership and Camp Debbie Lou, a family camp for children with cancer that she helped found. She has just completed her services as Board Chair of Charlotte Interclub Tennis Association and Olde Providence Racquet Club.

Beth completed her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina. She lives in Charlotte with her husband John and two daughters. In her free time, when not with family, Beth enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or playing tennis.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent is joined by CEO, DeAnna Carlson Zink, and VP of Operations & Engagement, Bob Knutson. DeAnna and Bob have been deeply connected to the University of North Dakota for most of their lives. Their conversation goes from growing up on the farm, to being first-generation college students, and ends on how they are taking their Moon Shot with EverTrue.

About DeAnna

DeAnna Carlson Zink is CEO of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation.

DeAnna has worked in higher-education non-profit for more than 30 years and became the CEO of the UND Alumni Association and the UND Foundation (two separate non-profit organizations) in January 2014. During her first year, DeAnna led the two organizations through a successful merger. Prior to becoming the CEO, DeAnna served as the Association Executive Vice President and the Campaign Director for the $324 million North Dakota Spirit Campaign.

DeAnna started with the organization in 1986 and has served in a variety of roles during her tenure including events, annual giving, donor relations, marketing & communications, and development. Additionally, she served as a regional marketing manager for Bremer Bank for four years.

DeAnna holds her CFRE and serves on a number of University and Community Boards. She also has been a leader in North Dakota with the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

About Bob

Bob Knutson is the Vice President of Operations & Engagement at the University of North Dakota Alumni Association Foundation. He is a proud graduate of UND and holds a BS in Marketing Education.

Bob taps into his mantra, “efficient, effective, and productive,” often as he develops policy and processes to improve operational efficiencies. The UND Alumni Association & Foundation’s technology infrastructure is continuously improving and evolving under Bob’s analysis and recommendations.

When Bob needs to unwind from leading his large Operations & Engagement teams, he likes to golf, spend time with family and friends at his lake home, and watch sports. He also serves on a number of boards and committees for organizations he’s passionate about, including Valley Senior Living, The Chamber Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, United Lutheran Church Foundation, and Red River High School DECA.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent is joined by Melissa Korn, reporter for The Wall Street Journal covering business education, workplace issues and the college-to-career pathway. Melissa was one of the journalists covering Operation Varsity Blues for The Wall Street Journal. She co-authored “UNACCEPTABLE: Privilege, Deceit and the Making of the College Admissions Scandal," which gave life to the largest college admissions scandal ever prosecuted by the department of Justice.

About Melissa

Melissa Korn writes about higher education for The Wall Street Journal.

She joined Dow Jones in 2007, first writing breaking corporate news for the Dow Jones Newswires Spot News desk and then covering for-profit colleges, student lenders, alcohol and tobacco for the wire. She moved to The Journal in 2011 to cover business education, workplace issues and the college-to-career pathway.

Melissa graduated from Cornell University with degrees in English and History and has a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

She is co-author of "UNACCEPTABLE: Privilege, Deceit and the Making of the College Admissions Scandal," published in 2020.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast Brent comes in live from Newport Beach California to chat with Ray Earl-Jackson, Executive Director of College Based Advancement at Northern Illinois University. This Thanksgiving episode and will leave you with plenty of Giving Tuesday inspiration.

About Ray

Ray Earl-Jackson is the Executive Director of College Based Advancement at Northern Illinois University. He grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago and is a lifelong Illinois resident. He is one of six children.

He attended Benedictine University where he studied communications and public relations and later earned an MBA. He also played football at Benedictine and worked for The Candor, the student led newspaper and Eye of the Eagle, the student television program.

He became the luckiest man in the world when he married his wife, Brittany Earl-Jackson in 2014. They have one beautiful daughter, Eliana, and two pups, Ethel and AJ. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, cooking for his family and reading. During ‘normal times’ he loves traveling and experiencing other cultures through food. He and his wife are self-proclaimed ‘foodies.’

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast Brent welcomes fellow Iowan, Nick Linde, Assistant Vice President of Central Development at the University of Nebraska Foundation. Nick's advancement journey began in alumni relations at his Alma mater, University of Northern Iowa. Tune in and hear how he made the transition to the fundraising side, where all the guitars fit in, and everything in between.

Read Nick's work on student programs and fundraiser retention.

About Nick

Nicholas Linde serves as the Assistant Vice President at the University of Nebraska Foundation, a Chronicle of Philanthropy Top 100 Charity. He manages annual giving, pipeline development, donor relations & stewardship, foundation relations, corporate relations, planned giving and development operations for a four-campus system. Nick focuses on blending engagement and financial support in an interdisciplinary way.

Before arriving at the University of Nebraska Foundation, Nick led teams at Minnesota State University and Upper Iowa University, where he earned his Master’s in Higher Education Administration.

Nick began his career as a Program Coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast Brent is joined by VCU's Jay Davenport. Jay’s background as an undergraduate working in the admissions office of his Alma Mater, Xavier University, sparked a passion that would launch his impressive career in Higher Ed. If you're a VP leading a younger advancement program, you will not want to miss this one!

About Jay

Jay Davenport serves as Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations for Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health.

As VCU’s chief development and alumni officer, Davenport leads fundraising and engagement efforts for the university, health sciences division, and VCU Health. Areas under his purview include advancement services, alumni relations, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development and alumni communications, donor relations, planned giving, presidential advancement, principal giving, regional philanthropy and the university-wide development staff.

Jay has previously led fundraising teams at Wake Forest University, including assistant vice president of college development, assistant vice president of major gifts, and associate vice president and campaign director. He has also served as director of development and team leader at Rice University and held fundraising positions as a college development director at the University of Memphis College of Business and Wright State University College of Engineering. He began his higher education career as an assistant dean of admissions at Wittenberg University.

Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia and the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. Davenport holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University and a master's degree in higher education administration from Ball State University.