Key Track Session

Designed to be both visionary and energising, our key track sessions serve as a focal point for the conference, encouraging large groups to come together with colleagues in their disciplines for a shared experience. These sessions shine a spotlight on the most pressing questions and emerging trends that resonate with a diverse range of attendees.

Workshop

Workshops provide a deep dive into the topics of the key track sessions, providing participants with practical knowledge and hands-on experience (relevant to career level) that can be applied to their own working context.

Campfire

Guided by a facilitator with no formal presentations or slides, campfire discussions enable participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and learn from peers in a relaxed setting. 

Roundtable

These moderated conversations (kept to around 10 participants) are set in a circular arrangement, where all participants are encouraged to engage in active listening and share their perspectives on a specific topic. This format is particularly effective for problem-solving, brainstorming, and generating actionable insights.

Beyond the CV: From Credential Issuer to Lifelong Community in Times of Crisis and Change 
Andy Yang | Director of Principal Gifts - Centennial Campaign, International House at UC Berkeley

From Sign-up to Sustained Impact: Rethinking Alumni Mentoring and Volunteering for Deeper Engagement and Lasting Value 
Helen Etheridge | Global Programme Lead: Alumni UK, The British Council

Developing Alumni Engagement Programmes in Collaboration with Development Colleagues 
Isobel Kettle | Head of Alumni Engagement, Cranfield University
Rachael Swaby | Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Cranfield University

Scaling Alumni Engagement Through Collaboration: Case Studies from the University of Helsinki and Chalmers University 
Adam Pratchett | Liaison Manager, University of Helsinki 
Fanndis Hermannsdottir | Advancement Officer, Chalmers University of Technology

Measuring What Matters: A Practical Framework for Measuring Alumni Engagement and How Volunteering and Advocacy Achieve Impact 
Holly Peterson | Director of Alumni Engagement, University of Oxford      
Nik Miller | Partner, More Partnership

Predicting the Future: Reading the Tea Leaves for Alumni Engagement 
Kerrie Holland | Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Individual Giving, London School of Economics and Political Science

From the UK to East Asia: Building Alumni Communities That Actually Last 
Andrew Williams | Head of Alumni Engagement, University of London

Sustaining and Scaling Alumni Engagement Through Change: A Small Team’s Story of Reset, Renewal, and Redefined Impact 
Isobel Kettle | Head of Alumni Engagement, Cranfield University 
Rachael Swaby | Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Cranfield University 
Laura Rooney | Alumni Engagement Manager, University of Salford 
Lauren Noel | Development Operations Manager, University of Salford

Milestone Momentum: Activating Alumni for Reputation, Engagement and Philanthropy 
Jason O’Neill | Alumni Engagement Manager, Queen’s University Belfast 
Ciara O’Neill | Communications Manager, Queen’s University Belfast 
Veronika Kovacs | Deputy Director, Alumni and Stewardship, Christ Church, University of Oxford
Rebecca Kilcullen | Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement, University of Warwick

Hidden Expertise, Visible Impact: Fundraising Lessons from Alumni Relations and Development Services 
Matteo Lai | Development Officer - Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, University of Oxford

Using AI to Enrich Your Data
Aerian Rogers | Deputy Director of Advancement, Newcastle University
Jack O’Toole | Head of Operations (Advancement – Alumni Relations & Philanthropy), Newcastle University
Julia Sicot-Carr | Value Orchestrator, Valliance
Tom Moran | Value Consultant, Experience Design, Valliance

Connecting Alumni Through Continuous Education: From Relationship to Partnership 
Annet Van Der Helm | Project Manager Lifelong Learning, Leiden University                        

The Alumni Centre Blueprint: How to Build a “Front Door” That Fits Any Campus  
Emily Bush | Alumni and Supporter Experience Manager, London School of Economics and Political Science 

From Nerves to Confidence: A Practical Guide to Networking at Alumni Events 
Sophie Harries | Head of Alumni Engagement, Royal College of Art  

Scaling Alumni Engagement Through Strategic Board Models
Barbro Kolbjørnsrud | Head of Career Services, Alumni Relations and Lifelong Learning, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences 

Building Future Together: How STEAM Talent Pipelines Create Value, Engagement and Giving 
Anita Straujuma | Executive Director, RTU Development Fund, Riga Technical University 

Conferring Ceremonies as Community Moments: Alumni Engagement from Fáilte to UCD Practice 
Nicole Black | Director of Alumni Development, University College Dublin 
Catherine McMahon | Alumni Relations Senior Manager, University College Dublin 

From Reach to Depth - Using Data to Drive Smarter Alumni Segmentation and Fundraising Strategy
Hannah Stoffels | Alumni Officer, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam  
Alex Hyde-Parker | Fundraising Operations Consultant, Efficient Fundraising Collective Ltd 

Connecting Alumni, Recruitment and Global Strategy 
Helen Etheridge | Global Programme Lead: Alumni UK, The British Council 

Building a Global Alumni Club Network – Lessons from King’s Business School 
Abi Micallef | Head of Alumni & Stakeholder Engagement (Maternity Cover), King’s College London 

Read the Room: Using Cultural Intelligence to Build Stronger Teams and Deeper Relationships
Margaret Clift | Head of Strategic Philanthropy, University of Glasgow 

Go Big or Go Home: What Does it Take to Raise Extraordinary Gifts for Your Institution?
Kirsty MacDonald | Deputy Principal (Advancement), Royal Academy of Music           
Jennie Moule | Senior Director of Advancement Services, University of Cambridge  
Tess Nixon Spiller | Philanthropy and Fundraising Consultant & Interim Coach, Trainer, Facilitator & Public Speaker 
Christopher Whitney | Founder & Managing Director, Whitney Consulting Group LTD

A! Sign of Change, Aalto University’s Fundraising Campaign for a Wide Audience: Making University Impact Visible in a Culture Where Donating to Universities is Not Well Established
Eivor Biese | Head of Brand and Creative (and Brand and Digital Lead), Aalto University 

Charting a Course: Maintaining Momentum Through Uncertainty 
Liz Reilly | Partner, More Partnership
Margaret Clift | Head of Strategic Philanthropy, University of Glasgow 
Katherine Planas | Director of Development, Edinburgh International Festival

Endowment as a Forever Gift: Reframing Donor Relationships for Education 
Robert Fleming | Director of Development, University of St Andrews  
Glen Whitehead | Development Director, St John’s College Cambridge, University of Cambridge 
Gordon Cox | Director, Academic & Education, Philanthropy Company  

How the Wealthy Manage Their Money and Plan Their Philanthropy 
Matthew Ross | Deputy Director of Philanthropy, Royal Academy of Music  
Alana Petraske | Partner, Withers Worldwide  
 
Reaching for the Stars: Securing the Biggest Gift in the History of the Royal Academy of Music 
Lucie Kennedy | Director of Philanthropy, Royal Academy of Music 
Kirsty MacDonald | Deputy Principal (Advancement), Royal Academy of Music

Regular Giving: Finding Major and Legacy Donors of the Future 
Beth Whitaker | Senior Development Manager Regular and Leadership Giving, University of Leeds 
Jack Merrington | Regular Giving Manager, London School of Economics and Political Science
Adrian Beney | Partner, More Partnership 

Growing Philanthropy in the US: Presence, Partnership and Practice 
Sophie Peart | Philanthropy Officer, University of Bristol 
Daniel Latham | Senior Development Manager, London Business School  

AI Without the Hype: Practical, Ethical Uses of AI in Fundraising 
Dominic Codera | Prospect Insight Manager, King's College London        
Catherine Wolfgang | Manager, Huron 

Hidden Expertise - Visible Impact: Fundraising Lessons from Alumni Relations and Development Services 
Matteo Lai | Development Officer - Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, University of Oxford   

Bridging the Academic-Development Divide: How to get the Best out of Your Academic Colleagues when Preparing Donor Reports 
Dr Guy Collender | Post-Doctoral Senior Research Associate, University of Portsmouth 

Designing Donor-Centred Digital Stewardship: Scalable Approaches 
Emma Robson | Head of Donor and Volunteer Relations, University of Cambridge

Overcoming Principal and Major Gift Challenges: 5 Lessons We’ve Learned from Leading Major Campaigns, and How You Can Apply Them to Your Fundraising 
Francesca Hewitt | Senior Campaign Advisor, The Courtauld Institute of Art  
Tess McCormick | Development Director and Fellow, Mansfield College, University of Oxford 

Recalibrating a Campaign Midway: Practical Steps to Build on Success 
Stephen Tall | Director of Development, London School of Economics and Political Science 
Chris Kendrick | Director of Supporter Engagement, The London School of Economics and Political Science  

An Endowment of Place: using purpose and place to unlock major gifts, partnerships and investment 
Paul Tyack | Director of Advancement, Newcastle University         
Nik Miller | Partner, More Partnership 

8 or Fewer: Success for Smaller Teams 
Fiona Duffy | Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Darwin College                   

The Soft Opt-In. An Unprecedented Opportunity to Open up Supporter Communications 
Adrian Beney | Partner, More Partnership    

Building the Plane While Flying It: Advancement in Continental Europe 
Juan Pablo Garrido | Director of Development, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya 

Building a Philanthropic Scholarship Model that Works for Everyone 
Myra Matthews | Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement, University of Stirling 

Before the Tech: Getting CRM Transformation Right from Day One 
Malina Szreter | Director of PAGE Operations, London School of Economics and Political Science
Kate Stevens | Head of Systems & Data and PAGE CRM Implementation Lead, London School of Economics and Political Science
Tom Jirat | Deputy Director (Development Services), The University of Manchester
Jean Pembleton | Senior Director, EMEA Education Strategy, Salesforce   

Don't Stop Believin': A Guide to Fundraising via the Wisdom of Cheesy Pop 
Hannah Johnston | Head of Philanthropy, University of Strathclyde 

Understanding an Organisation's Fundraising as New Heads of Development 
Chris Webber | Head of Advancement Operations and Campaigns, University of the Arts London 

Starting from Zero: Building a Fundraising Function in a Research Institute with No Tradition of Philanthropy 
Angela Bowen | Director of Development, John Innes Centre         

Creating Legacies Without Borders – Engaging, Stewarding and Securing Global Legacy Gifts 
Vanessa Holmes | Development Officer (Legacy Programme), University of Aberdeen 

The Clock is Ticking: Practical Preparation for the Great Wealth Transfer 
Kurstin Finch Gnehm | Senior Partner, Cairney & Company           

How to Fail in Order to Succeed: What my Favourite Podcast Taught me about Being a Better Fundraiser and More Powerful Leader 
Fiona Orr | Strategic Philanthropy Manager (Legacies & Trusts), University of Glasgow  

From Playing Fields to Philanthropy: Unlocking the Power of Sport in Education    
Andrew Thomas | Development Director, St Hilda’s College 

Individual Giving Clinic 
Heather Clement | Head of Individual Giving, University of Sheffield 

What Does Good Actually Look Like? Sector-Wide Fundraising Benchmarks and What Higher Education Can Learn from Them 
Alison Clarke | Strategy Director, AAW Group 

How Would You Rate the Quality of Your Questions? 
Maggie Wild | Head of Development and Alumni, University of Central Lancashire 

Inside the Minds of Major Donors: Insights from 100 In-Depth Interviews in French Higher Education in 2026 
Jacolyn Daly | Partner, More Partnership      

The Dynamic Duo - How Philanthropy and Donor Relations Can Work in Harmony 
Kathryn Fisk | Senior Philanthropy Manager, Manchester Metropolitan University 

Right Donor, Right Moment: Tailoring Strategies 
Lily Harriss | Director of Development & Alumni Engagement, Royal College of Music 

How to Keep a Donor for 20 Years: Stewarding Donors and Legacy Pledgers Over 20 Years and Beyond 
Fiona Orr | Strategic Philanthropy Manager (Legacies & Trusts), University of Glasgow 

Ethical Donor Relationships in a Global Context: Navigating Transparency, Boundaries & International Ambition 
Andy Yang | Director of Principal Gifts – Centennial Campaign, International House (UC Berkeley) 

Fundraising for the Faculty of Humanities Pilot Programme “Art Intelligence as a Future Skill” 
Anna-Leena Mitro | Liaison Manager (Communications and Community Relations), University of Helsinki 

The Perfect Match: How to Turn Conversations into Commitments 
Olympia Shipley | Philanthropy Manager, University of Manchester 

Beyond the VC's Office: Collaborating with Leadership to Deepen Supporter Engagement 
Hannah Wakeford | Senior Fundraising Delivery Manager, University of Leeds
Vicky Treherne  | Head of Transformational and Major Giving, University of Leeds

From Zero to Strategy: Building a Fundraising Function from Scratch
Philippe Lamesch | Head of Fundraising, University of Luxembourg

Assistant Today, Fundraiser Tomorrow! Laying the Foundation for Fundraising Success
Rowan Wishart | Philanthropy Officer (External Relations), University of Glasgow         
Jessica Constable | Strategic Philanthropy Manager (External Relations), University of Glasgow

Implementing a Buy-One, Give-One Model for Corporate Philanthropy in Higher Education
Ruth Dimes | Director, Business Masters Programme, University of Auckland
Kirsty Williamson | Director- Executive & Professional Development - Executive Education, University of Auckland
 

The Velocity Playbook: Strategic Rigour for Fast-Moving Marketing Teams 
Victoria Littler | Chief Commercial Officer, Vepple

Marketing Leaders in Session: Unpacking University Brand Transformation 
Louise Brown | Director, Mammoth Education

From Chaos to Clarity: Mastering HE Marketing Planning & Reporting 
Rachel King | Head of Marketing Campaigns, University of Sheffield

The Long Game: Measuring Student Marketing Across the Full Recruitment Funnel 
Jutta Kasslin | Head of Marketing, Aalto University

What Students Want to Know: Search, AI and the New Student Journey 
Christine Macdonald | Head of B2B Marketing, Insights and Events (UK and Europe), IDP Education

From Strategy to Strength: Making Brand Measurable 
Simon Pride | Director of Brand and Marketing, University of Reading 
Laura Delfitto | Director of Marketing, Imperial Business School
Dan Beynon | Director, SMRS 

Closing the Influence Gap: A Framework for Marketing Leaders to Have More Impact 
Helen Bower | Chief Marketing Officer, Northumbria University
Emma Dunipace | Marketing & New Business Manager, psLondon  
Robert Pepper | Strategy Partner & Managing Director, psLondon

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Who Ranks the Fairest of Them All? 
James Hosea | International Accreditations and Rankings Manager, Norwegian School of Economics

Balancing Internal Transparency with External Reputation during Institutional Change 
Lindsey Wilson | Deputy Director of Communications, University of Sheffield

Authenticity in the Age of AI: Building Trust Through Real Stories in Higher Education 
Niamh Browne | Brand and Design Officer, University of Limerick

Name It. Connect It. Measure It: The Senior Leader’s Guide to Making Reputation Land 
Zeenat Fayaz | Director of Brand Strategy, The Brand Education

Using AI to Enrich Your Data
Jack O’Toole | Head of Operations (Advancement – Alumni Relations & Philanthropy), Newcastle University
Julia Sicot-Carr | Value Orchestrator, Valliance
Tom Moran | Value Consultant, Experience Design, Valliance

Getting Your Current Portfolio Market Ready (…Without the Meltdown) 
Angie Wade | Faculty Head of Marketing, University of Leeds  

Marketing With Integrity: Embedding Competitions and Markets Authority Guidance to Strengthen Trust and Reputation 
Elise Roberts | Head of Marketing Planning, Leeds University Business School  

Trust is the Product - Visual Authenticity as Competitive Strategy in the Post-Abundance Era 
Marie Storrar | Media and Communications Officer, University of Edinburgh 

From Promise to Proof: And… Launch - What Happens After Go-Live? A Candid, Practical Look at the Highs, Hurdles, and Hard Truths of Activating a University Brand 
Michelle Amos | Deputy Director Marketing, Brand and Digital, University of Salford  

Building Trust One Step at a Time: A Practical Approach to Storytelling and the Course Proposition 
Penny Eccles | Founder, Penny Eccles Ltd

Communicating Personality in an AI World: Authenticity, Trust and Impact 
Stuart Hainsworth | Deputy Director of Marketing, University of Leicester 

Engineering Engagement: Developing Meaningful Lead Generation Models to Meet Strategic Goals 
Kelsey Blemings | Head of Student Recruitment (Lead Generation), University of Sheffield

Working Better After Change: Building a Collaborative, Efficient Integrated Recruitment Function
Elise Roberts | Head of Marketing Planning, Leeds University Business School

Are Digital Magazines Worth It? 7 Things You Can Implement on Monday Morning to Boost Engagement 
Francesca McFarlane | Head of Alumni and Supporter Communication, University of Liverpool

Telling Your Story: Content Approaches for Fundraising, Impact Stories and Your Alumni Magazine 
Grace Sims | Communications Content Manager, University of Bristol

Making Research Visible - Interactive Data Visualisation as a Communications Strategy — and How to Make the Case for it Internally 
Marie Storrar | Media and Communications Officer, The University of Edinburgh

Predicting Alumni Donations: A Model at Aalto University
Ida Nagy | M.Sc Business Analytics Student, Aalto University

Read the Room: Using Cultural Intelligence to Build Stronger Teams and Deeper Relationships
Lucy Butters | Master Facilitator, Cultural Intelligence Centre
Margaret Clift | Head of Strategic Philanthropy, University of Glasgow
Caroline Boddie | Deputy Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Access, University of Glasgow

Using AI to Enrich Your Data
Jack O'Toole | Head of Operations (Advancement – Alumni Relations & Philanthropy)
Aerian Rogers | Deputy Director of Advancement, Newcastle University
Julia Sicot-Carr | Value Orchestrator, Valliance
Tom Moran | Value Consultant, Experience Design, Valliance

From Campus to Common Room: Lessons in Development Across Sectors 
Frances Wheare | Director of Development and Social Impact, The Dragon School 
Ed Margetson | Director of Development, Gresham’s School 
Emma Lacroix | Director of Development, George Watson’s College 
Join our panel of senior Development professionals to hear about their experiences working in Higher Education, the cultural sector, and beyond, and how those lessons translate into school fundraising. We'll explore what carries seamlessly between sectors, where the culture shocks can be found, and what each environment can learn from the other. 

Who Leads the Donor Relationship? A Practical Framework for Role Clarity Across Staff, Head, and Board 
Karen Sandri | Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, Aiglon College 
In high-performing advancement programs, the question isn't just who talks to the donor, but how the leadership trio works in sync to inspire a gift. When the Board Chair, School Director, and Director of Philanthropy operate in silos, donors feel the friction. When they collaborate, they create a powerhouse of engagement. 

Building Community through Conversation: The Power of Jeffersonian Dinners for Schools 
Michaela Seeger | Associate Partner, More Partnership
Emma Zigan | Chief Advancement Officer, Zurich International School 
Jeffersonian Dinners create the conditions for deep connection, shared purpose, and authentic conversation – all of which are essential for community building in schools. This session shows how Zurich International School is using structured, intimate dinners to deepen engagement, surface leadership, and inspire transformational giving. Participants will learn the model, the mechanics, and the practical steps to run their own high‑impact dinner series. 

From School Leader to Foundation Director: What Running Schools Taught Me About Building a Culture of Philanthropy 
Gareth Doodes | Director of Foundation, Hurstpierpoint College 
Many schools and colleges that struggle to build a genuine culture of philanthropy are held back by a fundamental disconnect between institutional leadership and the advancement function - a gap that is rarely named directly, and even more rarely bridged. 

From Foundations to Momentum: Building a Campaign Your School Can Truly Get Behind 
Rachael Magee | Manager, Huron
Whether you’re preparing for your first major fundraising campaign or planning what comes next after a successful one, this practical session will help you get the fundamentals right and turn them into lasting momentum. This session explores what really underpins successful development campaigns at any scale. Drawing on real-world experience from practitioners working in school development, we’ll break down the essential building blocks you need in place and how to secure them in practice, not just in theory. 

Further sessions to be added