10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

Sue Cunningham, President and CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Nick Blinco, Vice-President (Advancement), The University of Melbourne

 

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Opening Plenary: Ethics: Nobody's Job, Everyone's Responsibility

Dr. Matt Beard, Program Director, Vincent Fairfax Fellowship, Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership



Every decision we make, as people and organisations, has a range of ethical beliefs, commitments, and consequences. Often, they're invisible to us. And, just like the infamous iceberg, what we can't see can be catastrophic. In this keynote, Matt Beard draws on his expertise and experience to showcase the various habits, ideas, and practices that render ethical concerns invisible, which make good decision-making impossible. Whether or not we take responsibility for ethical decisions, we will be held responsible for the consequences of unethical ones. Learn to build a culture that spotlight ethical concerns and help transform risks into opportunities for better practice, more satisfied stakeholders, and a more purpose-driven organisation. 

 

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Leadership: 

How Can I Inspire You To Join Our Team and How Can I Encourage You To Stay?

Ziqiao Chen, Senior Philanthropy Advisor (Asia), Monash University

Peta Magee, Executive Director, Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney

Moderated by: Jocelyn Kelty, Director - Australia, Richmond Associates

Prior to the pandemic, recruiting excellent advancement staff and retaining them was a continual challenge for leaders. In a post-pandemic world, this issue has only accelerated and evolved. Panellists Peta Magee, Executive Director of Development, Health & Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney and Ziqiao Chen, Senior Philanthropy Advisor (Asia), Monash University will lend their thoughts and experience in identifying and recruiting talented advancement professionals and how to retain them. They will also reflect on their own recruitment and what has enticed them to stay. This fascinating discussion will be chaired by Jocelyn Kelty, Director - Australia, Richmond Associates.

Leadership: 

The Pros, Cons, and Unique Challenges in Navigating A Foundation

Sherif Andrawes, President, St Hilda’s Foundation

John Groom, Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, The Hutchins School 

Moderated by: Ann Snyder, Senior Director, Communities Engagement, Council for Advancement and Support of Education



Many educational institutions have long established foundations that offer both advantages and obstacles with regards to governance and facilitating philanthropic support. Foundations are prevalent within schools, universities, and even hospital foundations that many universities partner with. While foundations add a layer of complexity to day-to-day operations, do the advantages of working through/with a foundation structure outweigh the downsides, or do they pose greater challenges than necessary? This session will cover a range of experiences and perspectives on foundations across the education sector and aim to come to a consensus on this question. 

12:15 p.m. – 12:35 p.m.

Break 

Visit the "Exhibition" and learn about the latest industry trends, solutions, services, and products for your advancement needs from APAC 2022 sponsors and exhibitors in the Asia-Pacific region.

12:35 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: 

It’s a Cultural Thing: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Through Different Cultural Lens

Dr. Jessica Elmore, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Training (DEIB), Council for Advancement and Support of Education



One size will never fit all when doing the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Learn how social orientation, personal values, and cultural customs play foundational roles when developing and implementing strategies for more inclusivity.

 

Leadership: 

Collaboration or Integration: A Shifting Approach To Fundraising Within Advancement Teams

Valerie Lee, Deputy Director and Head of Development, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

Lindsay Robinson, Chief Development Officer, UNSW Sydney



Moderated by: William Roth, Executive Director, Major Gifts, Nanyang Technological University

Lines are blurring within advancement teams as silos between alumni relations, annual/individual giving, and major and principal gifts are breaking down. Individual goals and personal key performance indicators (KPIs) often drove fundraisers to go it alone and collaborate when needed, but prospective donors are seeking more integrated approaches and coordinated appeals from institutions. How can one shift their thinking from just merely collaborating to a more integrated model? Is there a difference? How can teams work better and leverage their skills to engage with one another? How do you manage this collective effort process within a KPI setting? How should teams understand individual performance versus team performance?  

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Virtual Roundtable Discussions



Topics:



How to engage overseas alumni

Josh van Kampen, Senior Alumni Engagement Officer, The University of Western Australia    



How to Connect with Gen Z and Alpha effectively

Phil Clark, Director of Communications, Beijing International School 



How to fix unproductive Boards

Emma Silva, Director of Advancement, United Nations International School of Hanoi    



How to measure prospect affinity and propensity

Myan Phamtran, Manager, Advancement Services & Operations, Queensland University of Technology    



How to effectively steward mid to high-level donors

Sharon Christodoulou, Donor Relations Manager, The University of Queensland  



How to conduct a good qualifying meeting

Lucy Moore, Senior Development Manager, Queensland University of Technology    

10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. 

Alumni Relations:

Thinking Outside the Box – Cross-institutional Alumni Engagement, Can It Work?

Cecilia Fan, Executive Convener and Committee Member, Australia China Alumni Association 

Ken Gideon, Director (Alumni), University of Southern Queensland

More and more alumni are suggesting universities to cooperate and host ‘multi-university’ engagement events. This presentation will discuss the viability of these types of activities with a focus on professional groups, such as the Australia China Alumni Association and Australian Government events. Can these types of events work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of events for the alumni, co-host organisation(s), and university partners? Is there a model that could work best moving forward?

Fundraising:

In A Digital and Data-driven World, Is Humanistic Fundraising Irrelevant?

Jimmy Buck, Chief Advancement Officer, Deakin University

Daniel Martin, Director of Foundation and Executive Officer, St Aloysius’ College

Moderated by: Rebecca Hazell, CFRE, Director of Advancement, The University of Newcastle

In a data-driven world with at-scale digital fundraising playing an increasingly important role in educational fundraising, is there still a place for relationship-focused fundraising involving personal engagement? Is there a need to recalibrate the importance and effectiveness of engaging directly with donors? How can we best incorporate the progress and power of data analytics and digital enhancements into staying focused on the benefits of knowing our donors, their interests, and their desire to make a difference?

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 

Advancement Services:

Rise of Machines and the Evolution of Advancement Services

Mark Koenig, Vice President, Technology and Chief Innovation Officer, Oregon State University Foundation

This session will open up your eyes and minds to alternative ways of getting our jobs done in the future and the impact it will have on our advancement programmes and structures, systems, processes, and staff! Using new technologies, analytics, and innovative delivery methods, we can begin to reimagine our old models that will allow us to work smarter, not harder. Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President for Technology Mark Koenig will share Oregon State University Foundation’s digital transformation journey, highlighting examples the myriad of opportunities and challenges organisations face to stay ahead of the digital curve.  

Marketing and Communications:

Can One Stack Rule Them All? Martech In Focus

Jeremy Medina, Director, Marketing and Customer Experience (CX), The University of Queensland  

Chris Walker, Director of Marketing and Communications, Brisbane Grammar School

What marketing and communications technology does your institution use? Is it possible for one platform to do it all? In the experience of Jeremy Medina from The University of Queensland and Chris Walker from Brisbane Grammar School, no such technology exists. The pair will outline why it is so and what technology they use to power their marketing, communications, and fundraising agendas. Despite differences in scale at a university and high school, using data and integrating technologies plays an increasingly important role at both The University of Queensland and Brisbane Grammar School.

12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. 

Stewardship:

Connecting Across Borders: Stewardship in a Post-pandemic World

Rami Abi Jomaa, Advancement and Philanthropy Advisor     

Ruth O'Hanlon, Philanthropy Executive, China Insight Foundation 

Michelle Poon, Director, Asia-Pacific, University of Toronto Asia-Pacific Advancement Office 

The post-pandemic world has few digital borders, speaks many languages, and values cultural distinctiveness. It is a world where some communities and generations have never been more connected, while others have never felt more isolated. The task of stewardship in this new world is to weave programmes that reach across not only physical borders, but also generational and cultural ones to bring donors closer and build stronger relationships. 

This session discussion will range over what stewardship across borders looks like today, donor expectations, and the challenges and importance of using digital tools to customise, segment, and personalise our stewardship efforts.

 

Alumni Relations:

Alumni Reunions Reimagined

Amanda Briggs, Associate Director Alumni Relations and Engagement, The University of Queensland

Bernard Toh, Director, Office of Alumni Relations, National University of Singapore

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on most institutions’ alumni programmes, but especially reunions. During this session, we will hear how several universities have been reimagining reunions now and into the future.

12:45 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Break

Visit the "Exhibition" and learn about the latest industry trends, solutions, services, and products for your advancement needs from APAC 2022 sponsors and exhibitors in the Asia-Pacific region.

1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Fundraising: 

Advancement Management in 2022: Leading and Managing Forward From the Pandemic

Jane Narich, Executive Director of Advancement, Chinese International School

Ann Wardwell, Chief Advancement Officer, Hong Kong International School

Moderated by: Deb Taft, Chief Executive Officer, Lindauer

 

2020 and 2021 created unprecedented impacts for advancement leaders, managers, and teams. As we emerge and lead forward, what were the most significant pandemic impacts? Which new approaches will managers preserve and build on, and what new challenges and concerns are emerging? Where should leaders focus in the next 6-12 months? Gain insights on this energising panel from three well-known global leaders and consultants in advancement: Jane Narich, Executive Director of Advancement, Chinese International School; Ann Wardwell, Chief Advancement Officer, Hong Kong International School; and moderator Deb Taft, CEO Lindauer.

Marketing and Communications:

Hooks, Lines and Sinkers: How To Make Meaningful Stories Work Hard

Dr. Ashley Hay, Editor, Griffith Review, Griffith University

Storytelling as an art and craft is something that defines us as humans; it’s how we learn and connect, how we process the past, navigate the present, and imagine the future. Explore the potential of a toolbox drawn from a range of narrative styles – journalism, memoir, science writing, essays, fiction, and more – that can help to shape a story that works, no matter the audience you’re after. Discover pathways to irresistible hooks and quotable lines, metaphors, imagery, and details that will make your story stick, and identify the pitfalls that can sink your best efforts. This is a warm and friendly guide to teasing stories from their sources and connecting them with their audience.

2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

 

Stewardship:

Stewarding and Building Internal Relationships To Maximise External Impact 

Crickett Kasper, Chief Advancement Officer, Singapore American School

Fabienne Vonarburg, Head of Advancement, Health Sciences Curtin University



Building a shared culture of advancing the mission of an organisation starts with strong relationships between the advancement office and all internal functions and partners. We will share case studies on where these relationships have enhanced or detracted from our culture of giving. Join us to hear from both the university and the international school sectors about tips and pitfalls for supporting your organisation.

 

We will explore how to foster strong internal relationships, build capacity and skills, and create a sense of shared responsibility to maximise impact for the benefit of our community and donors.

 

Fundraising:

Think Big: Major Giving for Smaller Organisations

Paul Dennett, Director of Development, Queenwood School

Major giving initiatives enable schools and other institutions to maximise advancement efforts, and build more ambitious fundraising programmes. Even in smaller organisations, it's possible to develop successful giving strategies, cultivate valuable relationships, and establish a culture of philanthropy. Join Paul Dennett, Development Director at Queenwood School, Sydney, as he shares how to lean into the strengths of a smaller advancement office and embark on an effective campaign to secure major gifts.

10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. 

Alumni Relations:

Student and Young Alumni Engagement

Anthea Cuddihy, Deputy Director Advancement and Alumni Relations, CQUniversity Australia

Dr. Bervyn Lee, Director of Alumni Relations, Singapore Management University



Institutions have been embracing student and young alumni engagement programmes over the past few years, and COVID-19 has increased the importance of this kind of engagement. During this presentation, we will hear about two dynamic programmes which may provide some great insights as to how other institutions can capitalise on this type of activity.

Fundraising:

Is a Giving Day Just a Misnomer? 

John Phillips, Director of Advancement, Brighton Grammar School 

Penny Tribe, Executive Director, Western Sydney University 



Giving days are growing in popularity and approach. They can play a powerful role in philanthropic and values-based storytelling, and inspire new donors to join your donor community. Is a giving day really just 24 hours? Are all giving days the same? Do they have the same purpose, measures of success, and impact? This session will explore the considerations of holding a giving day, how your organisation can better understand the usefulness of a giving day, planning and resource matters, how to track effectiveness, and the importance of considering risks. Two case studies will be shared.

   

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 

Advancement Services:

Catalyst of Change – How Can Advancement Services Be Adaptable and Flexible To Move With the Changing Environment

Merrell Milano, Director of Advancement Services, The University of Queensland

Aliaa Nader, Senior Director, Advancement Services, The American University in Cairo

As recent years have proven time and again, the only constant is change. While this remains true for fundraising there will always be a need for advancement services teams to efficiently and effectively manage and pivot plans in the face of the unexpected. Hear from two advancement services leaders as they outline case studies for how their organisations leveraged times of change to implement new tools, processes, and infrastructure based on the evolving landscape of their organisations and the lessons they learned along the way.

Stewardship:

Corporate Giving - Putting the ‘P’ in Partnership!

David Sloan, Development Manager, Corporate Giving, Queensland University of Technology



Corporate philanthropy has grown significantly, even during a time when the world has been impacted by the pandemic and we continue to observe the effects of global climate change. In this session, you’ll hear insights on effective prospecting, stewardship with purpose, possible pitfalls, and how to manage your partnership planning goals.

 

12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. 

Marketing and Communications:

Culture, Brand, and COVID-19 – The Impact of a Pandemic

Simon Bate, State Director and Head of Public, NSW, Kantar Public

The past two years have seen the world in crisis, leading to some major changes for brands and their communications.

Crises lead to heightened awareness, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Triggers for cultural tension abound while we find ourselves perpetually in high-alert mode, scrutinising conversations, policy, and government actions, and of course, the corporations and brands that target us. As our antennae are up, brands want to tune in to the right frequency to find and reach their consumers. 

This session will dive into what has changed during the pandemic, what truly connects brand with people, and the increasingly important role culture plays in doing so.

 

Advancement Services:

Prospect Research: Key to Campaign Success

Steven Barwald, Associate Director, Prospect Development, University of Sydney

Nada Sbaiti, Director of Prospect Research, Office of Advancement Services, American University of Beirut

The world of prospect research is enormous. There are best practices and guidelines of course, but each university’s situation is unique. It won’t surprise you to hear that a university with 73,000 students handles prospect research a bit differently from one with just 8,500 students. In this presentation, Barwald and Sbaiti will discuss “all things prospect research” and why and how they are so important to a successful fundraising campaign. We will dissect our strategies, compare and contrast the way we “do business,” and talk about where our prospect research and management methodologies intersect – and where they diverge. 

 

The University of Sydney closed its INSPIRED – the Campaign to support The University of Sydney in 2019, after achieving its target of $1 billion (approximately US$752 million). The American University of Beirut recently decided to extend its BOLDLY AUB: The Campaign to Lead, Innovate, and Serve campaign after achieving its original target of $650 million.  

12:45 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Break

Visit the "Exhibition" and learn about the latest industry trends, solutions, services, and products for your advancement needs from APAC 2022 sponsors and exhibitors in the Asia-Pacific region.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Closing Plenary: The Future of Advancing Education

Dr. Imad Baalbaki, Vice President for Advancement and Business Development, American University of Beirut

Kalea Haran, Principal, Penrhos College

Professor Chris Rudd OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Campus, Singapore, James Cook University

Moderated by: Sue Cunningham, President and CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Since the beginning of 2020, everything has changed, and the future of advancement is no exception. In truth, the global pandemic has accelerated the need for educational institutions to address change in the way we teach, the way students learn, and the way we communicate and engage with our stakeholders. Subsequently, the role of advancement has expanded beyond supporting an institution’s ability to attract new students, talented academics, and diversified funding to, identifying, harnessing, and mobilising communities that are invested in the institution’s ability to personify its vision, mission, and values, and achieve its overall strategic intent.

Facilitated by CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham, we will hear from three executive leadership panellists on the crucial role their advancement teams play in navigating change that ensures an inclusive approach to achieving institutional success. The panellists represent leadership at schools, university executives, and university advancement teams to demonstrate the integration and continuous thread of advancement in engaging internal and external communities. 

Key takeaways from this session will include: 

1. How leaders are making a positive difference in their communities

2. What matters most when considering financial sustainability, budget constraints, and the future of international education

3. What the campus of the future looks like

4. How leaders are responding to the different needs of the next generation of students

Join us as we gather to share experiences and explore common themes that challenge and inspire us to be more connected with one another.

 

2 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Heather Hamilton, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific, Council for Advancement and Support of Education

 

Experienced Practitioners/Mid-Career:

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Paul Donohue, Consultant, Talent Management and Coaching, The Australian National University

Whether it's providing feedback to a staff member, raising a concern with a colleague, or outlining an alternative view during a meeting, difficult conversations can arise in any situation. Some of them we see coming, and many we consider each day whether to have them – but there are many tactics and approaches we can apply to make these interactions less difficult and more productive for everyone.

 

Newcomers/Early Career:

The Big Picture: The Dynamic World of Advancement 

Heather Hamilton, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific, Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Are you “new” to the advancement world? Are you excited about what you are doing or are you trying to understand how advancement fits within your organisation? In this session, we will learn what advancement really means, why it matters, and why is it integral to institutional success. We will explore current and emerging trends in advancement, and understand the interconnectivity of advancement disciplines.

 

Navigating Your Development Career

Adam Ruble, Major Gift Officer, Illinois College

In this session, Adam Ruble will go over some of the tools that have helped him navigate his career in both the United States and Australia. He will share how he got his start in major gift work and some tips for those who might be interested in making the transition, how understanding other areas of the office have helped him find success in his work, and some foundational lessons that development professionals at all levels can benefit from.

Advancement Services:

Are You Prepared To Accept Crypto?

Jay Goulart, Founder, Big Philanthropy

Today, donors have more options of non-profit organisations and causes to support. Part of our job is to make sure that when they make a decision to partner with us, it is as frictionless as possible. One avenue is our ability to accept all forms of value and currency. This session will discuss key operational decisions in order to accommodate today’s highly nimble philanthropists.

The Importance of Benchmarking and Analytics

Jenny Cooke Smith, Senior Director of AMAtlas Services, Council for Advancement and Support of Education

How am I doing? Is it good? So, what? In this session, you’ll learn how these questions can set you up for successful benchmarking and analysis. You’ll also hear about the first prerequisite to benchmarking – a common set of counting practices, as established in the newly released CASE Global Reporting Standards. You’ll walk away from this session with:

- An understanding of how CASE’s Global Reporting Standards can inform counting practices and gift acceptance policies

- Deeper knowledge of the resources available from CASE for benchmarking across the advancement spectrum

- Insights from the latest global and regional philanthropic and alumni engagement trends

- Suggestions for creating strategies to apply data and benchmarks

Alumni Relations:

Alumni Volunteer Engagement: How To Maximise The Impact of Volunteers

Holman Chin, Executive Director, Campaign and Advancement Services, INSEAD

Eric De Haan, CFRE, Director of Alumni Relations, Seoul Foreign School

Alumni volunteerism is one of the key pillars of successful alumni engagement and fundraising strategies. When volunteers are managed and stewarded well, they can increase an organisation’s impact exponentially; when they are not managed well, the consequences can be severe. In this session, we will explore best practices in alumni volunteer management, looking at a variety of volunteer types from campaign boards, to club and reunion volunteers, parent volunteers, and more. Insights on how to recruit, retain, and maximise your efforts will be shared during the session as well as some stories of what can go wrong when organisations don’t have the necessary frameworks in place.  

The State of Digital Alumni Engagement Today and in the Future

Sirine Ghalayini, Consultant (Fundraising and Alumni Engagement Strategy)         

During the period of total lockdown, digital communication was the only means of communication with constituencies. As such, the pandemic rendered digital engagement immeasurably crucial. Whilst using digital platforms appears to be intuitive, there is an underlying complexity given the constant and consistent flux in the technology world. 

This session discusses the disruption that had occurred during and post-pandemic, implications on future digital engagement strategies, and the “cool” new ways to captivate constituents and measure engagement in the digital ecosystem. 



 

Fundraising:

Legacy Giving Challenges and Innovation: Four Years to Success in Singapore And The Digital Revolution of Gifts in Wills Acquisition in Australia

Tracey King, Development Manager, Gifts in Wills, Deakin University

Denise Wong, Former Deputy Director (Principal Gifts and Legacy Giving), National University of Singapore 



In this inspiring and informative discussion, learn about two emerging legacy programmes. One that has found great success in a short space of time despite social and cultural challenges and the other about a progressive digital strategy that is flipping bequest donor acquisition on its head.

 

We Should Do a Comprehensive Campaign. Right?

Colin Allen, General Manager, Philanthropy, Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation

Eric Billman, Head of Advancement, College of Engineering and Computer Science, The Australian National University

After the successes of comprehensive campaigns at several universities in the region, many of us have been asked the following questions by our leadership or board: Did you hear about their campaign? When are we going to do that? The rest of us have heard that comprehensive campaigns are not for us. This session, led by fundraisers with experience working in schools, universities, non-profit organisations, as well as background as board members and consultants, will discuss the values of a comprehensive campaign, how it can bring a community together, and when you might want to suggest a pause. After this session, you should feel comfortable getting to the next step of your campaign no matter where you are in the process.

Marketing and Communications:

 

Speaking the Same Language: Building Strong and Productive Relationships Between Advancement and Communications Teams

Tracy Chalk, Chief Marketing Officer, The University of Newcastle

Rebecca Hazell, CFRE, Director of Advancement, The University of Newcastle



Why do advancement and communications units sometimes appear to be at cross purposes? We’re all in the business of building relationships right? Surely this should start at home. In this on-demand session, Rebecca Hazell and Tracy Chalk discuss the similarities and differences between their areas of advancement and marketing & communications, and explore how they leverage those qualities to support each other’s key performance indicators.