![Header 2020 blur 15](/sites/default/files/styles/header_default/public/media/image/Header_2020_BLUR_15.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=QC71Zcwn)
Speakers
![Michael Adzovic](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/media/image/Adzovic_Michael2020.jpg?h=8a019425&itok=jH2VLxka)
Michael Adzovic
Michael has worked in the field of annual giving for over twenty years, dating back to when he started as a student caller in 1998. Over that time, he has worked for a variety of higher education sectors, including a large public, small private, and community college. During his career, he has been able to build many programs from the ground up, including direct mail, digital, phonathon, and young alumni/student engagement programs. Michael is a constant “tweaker” and loves to experiment, try new things, and figure out how the various annual giving channels can work more cohesively together. He currently leads and directs the annual giving program for his alma mater, Northern Illinois University, and has also worked at Wheaton College (IL) and Harper College.
![Heather Kopec](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/media/image/Kopec_Heather_2020.jpg?h=9dc95b1d&itok=3B-ewadz)
Heather Kopec
Heather Kopec brings an entrepreneurial perspective to developing annual giving strategies, and integrating new technology to propel giving at Virginia Tech. Heather is responsible for developing an innovative one-to-many fundraising program aimed at increasing the alumni giving rate from 12% to 22% by 2022 while also sustainably growing current-use funds. Her strategies are deeply rooted in marketing analytics, behavioral segmentation, and encouraging a test-and-learn team environment.
In her career, Heather has worked for numerous universities at RNL, and then at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she was the Director of Annual Giving. Heather worked to align campus partners and cross-functional teams to be at the forefront of best practices.
Heather has a BA in Studio Art from Knox College and an MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for her alma mater and Free Bikes 4 Kids. In her free time she can be found riding her bicycle, quilting, or traveling.
![John Torget](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/media/image/Torget_John2020.jpg?h=bc816b12&itok=kfhZFKSq)
John Torget
John Torget serves as associate vice president for engagement at Virginia Tech.
In this role, John has the critical responsibility for building programs to engage the wide-range of audiences, including alumni, donors, and friends, necessary for success in our current comprehensive campaign and beyond. This includes digital, event, philanthropic, and volunteer engagement.
Prior to Virginia Tech, John served as director of development and annual giving at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, which achieved record-breaking revenue for three consecutive years during his tenure. He has also served as the Tuck School’s director for corporate relations and as its associate director for development.
Before working in university fundraising, Torget worked for nearly two decades in the private sector, where his positions included senior manager for strategy and new business development at Dealertrack Technologies, vice president for small business marketing at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and manager of alliances and supply chain management for Accenture.
Torget earned his MBA from the Tuck School and his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University.