Hybrid and remote work policies, and opinions, continue to evolve as we head further into post-pandemic work life. Join us as we explore the nuances of various work modalities, addressing the unique demands and expectations faced by advancement teams. We will apply data trends and insights from multiple organizations as a jumping off point for a robust discussion on lessons learned and ideas for the future, from the perspectives of both those managing and those being managed.

Young alumni engagement is a puzzle that all institutions need to solve, but that's easier said than done. The 10 Under 10 Awards program has proven over the past six years that a simple awards concept can work to engage highly successful emerging leaders within the young alumni community while also creating connection opportunities for Admissions, Career Services, Marketing and Academics to that ultimately elevate the entire institution. Through campus partnerships, we've been able to use the program to not only elevate alumni success stories and engage recipients and their networks, but also create meaningful career networking opportunities for alumni and students alike. We'll spend time reviewing this award program and how it has evolved, provide examples of how it's been used to impact multiple departments, and then challenge attendees to think of ways their own campus could be positively affected by a similar program.

Over the past 18 months, court decisions and public policy has drastically changed how higher education can approach DEIB. While academicians and student affairs personnel prepare for their work, advancement practitioners face our own unique challenges. This workshop is designed for all members of an advancement organization – from alumni engagement to development to Marketing and Communications. Participants will be taken through a framework that will allow them to examine their own organizations’ readiness to be nimble in this contemporary environment, ultimately to support a culture that will keep all stakeholders engaged. Additionally, participants will come away with tools to structure DEIB work in a way that is mission-centric and supportive of all communities.

Telling the story of the women who helped build your community is a crucial part of a comprehensive giving strategy. Whether you’re honoring family, staff, or alumnae, centering women in your campaigns means giving a historically ignored group a chance to guide the present and future of your institution.

In this session, you'll learn how, in honor of the 50th anniversary of their school embracing co-education, Western Reserve Academy blew past their initial goal of $1 million with their 50 Brilliant Years of Women campaign. Western Reserve Academy achieved this by centering their fundraising strategy around continuously recognizing and honoring the inspiring women of their community, past, present, and future. You'll also learn specific strategies you can use to do the same no matter the group you want to spotlight. From hosting strategic events to utilizing alumni awards, and using data to guide your fundraising decisions, you’ll have all the tools you need to tell the whole story of your institution.

Are you ready to engage your next generation of major donors?

For most of us, the road to fundraising was accidental. We arrive from completely different careers and wildly unique backgrounds. The path to leadership is just as diverse and, honestly, a little mysterious. Join this panel of Advancement leaders to pull back the curtain on what the top jobs really take. If you’re a new leader, get advice on how to think big, focus on your biggest value, and inspire a culture shift not a culture shock. If you’re an aspiring leader, learn what skills, experiences, and opportunities to seek out that will prepare you for your next step.

Join us for an enlightening discussion where you'll gain valuable strategies and ideas on a range of key topics:

1) Piloting Career Development Teams: Discover innovative approaches to pilot career development teams at both Development Associate and Assistant Director levels.

2) Building an Inclusive Team: Learn how to source, recruit, and hire a diverse and inclusive team that brings fresh perspectives to the table.

3) Retention Strategies: Explore effective methods for retaining talent by providing hands-on training and immersive experiences that keep your team motivated and engaged.

4) Career Growth Conversations: Gain the skills to confidently navigate discussions about career growth within your institution, fostering an environment of professional development.

The events of 2020 offered a time for unprecedented reflection and action to move the needle on becoming a just, equitable, and inclusive society. Amid, and perhaps sparked by the global crises, the University of Cincinnati Foundation assessed its workplace practices and culture through an equity and inclusion lens. This deep self-reflection led to a journey to examine who we were and what was the aspirational goal of who we wanted to become. Since those initial discussions, this has been a journey of learning who were and were not; focusing on what it means to create incremental change of a true reflection of who we aspire to be as a whole organization serving all of humanity. This journey has allowed us to look holistically at how we will best embrace the UC community. In this session, we will discuss the comprehensive “inside-out” approach we designed and delivered to deepen equity and inclusion within the Foundation and with our alumni engagement strategy, constituent base, donor and friends pipeline, and all potential stakeholders willing to join us as we embrace the power of philanthropy. We will share our best and next practices and our challenges.

How do you turn virtual tools created during and after the pandemic into meaningful ongoing in-person and virtual programmatic efforts? Learn more about how the Northwestern Alumni Association's Small Business Directory and Alumni Authors CATalogue went from online directories into multifaceted engagement opportunities. We will share information on the development and creation of these tools as well as their continuous impact on programming and engagement. Additionally, attendees will learn how these projects further the organization's mission to broaden outreach to previously unengaged alumni as well as support the advancement of institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion values.

In a post-#girlboss era, how can alumni relations teams create authentic connection and community for women alumni leaders and increase their likelihood to make a gift? Join staff from UChicago Alumni as we share our successes in breaking down silos between alumni relations and gift officers to launch our first Women’s Leadership Initiative, giving space for alumnae leaders to tell their stories, celebrate their achievements, and mentor young alumnae, all while deepening their connection and engagement with the University. Participants will gain actionable insights on how alumni relations frontliners can be effective and valued partners for gift officers in cultivating their prospects and fostering increased affinity for the institution.

This session will provide Advancement staff with strategies to build more equitable engagement pathways, empower diverse constituencies and drive mission impact. We will discuss: why equity and inclusion are critical to Advancement's mission and community impact, challenges and barriers facing marginalized groups, strategies for driving change to foster inclusive participation, and frameworks and language to advocate for equity-focused engagement in a compelling way.