Institutional presidents, governing boards, funders and donors, government agencies, alumni, and other stakeholders are placing critical demands on our time and resources—and it’s up to advancement leaders, managers, and staff to deliver. Discuss the forces affecting our profession and hear insights from our expert faculty on the challenges our institutions and, by extension, our advancement teams face.

CliftonStrengths is just one of many personality assessments available for you to use in your institution. We will go over the philosophy behind CliftonStrengths, examine the four domains of talent, and understand your own strengths and how they connect to your role as a manager. Attendees will receive information about completing the Strengths assessment in advance of the conference.

Get to know your cohort and leader and discuss how you can take the most from this conference. Having a strong base of institutional knowledge is a powerful tool to have. As a public-facing member of your organization’s staff, you may be the one that donors, volunteers, and neighbors turn to for answers about your institution. With the right base of knowledge, you’ll be empowered to illuminate the strengths of your organization, enrich its relationships, and debunk inaccuracies. In his book, The First 90 Days, Michael Watkins talks about your “Learning Agenda” (what you want to learn) and your “Learning Plan” (how you will go about learning it). This session will provide tips and practice for identifying which key information you need to know and a plan for how to learn it.

• Matt Ter Molen's Cohort Group: Grand Ballroom 1 - 2
• Theresa Davis' Cohort Group: Grand Ballroom 4
• Yvette Marsh's Cohort Group: Dover A
• Katrina Onderdonk's Cohort Group: Dover B

Join conference faculty and your colleagues to network and unwind after Day 1. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be provided. Don't forget your business cards!