Having worked at and on behalf of community colleges for more than 15 years, Paul Heaton knows their needs and—more important—the vital role that they play in our communities. He has spent decades helping advance non-profits of all types and sizes through his skills as a communicator, innovator, and leader.

Paul’s background as a journalist and educator led him to Michigan’s world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he led their marketing and communications efforts. He then was named Director of Public Relations at Northwestern Michigan College, where his work positioned him to become the inaugural Director of the CASE Center for Community College Advancement in Washington, D.C.

After serving in a variety of leadership roles, Paul left CASE in early 2022 and became a Principal with eAdvancement Consulting, a globally recognized group of expert advancement practitioners providing comprehensive leadership and management services for community colleges, four-year institutions, foundations, and non-profit organizations. An avid cyclist, Paul also coaches rowing for the DC Strokes Rowing Club, the largest and oldest LGBTQ+ rowing club in the United States.

Tahsin I. Alam is Associate Dean of Advancement for the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington in Seattle. He serves as a member of the Foster Advisor Board and is part of the Dean’s senior leadership team and University Advancement’s Executive Leadership Team.

A higher education advancement industry veteran with over 17 years of experience in Presidential and Advancement professional searches, Mr. Alam began his career as an Associate with Isaacson Miller, a Boston-based national search firm. After eight years of working with the development and alumni relations search practice, Mr. Alam went on to become a Managing Associate with the Nonprofit Professional Advisory Group (NPAG), a boutique consulting firm with clients across the nonprofit sector. Here he served as a partner for the development and communications search practice, where in four years, the practice grew from inception to the most profitable practice at the firm. Tahsin has also conducted Presidential, Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Student level searches.

At the Rutgers University Foundation, Tahsin served as the Vice President for Advancement Services and Talent Management. He oversaw 70 employees across the departments of Talent Management, Donor Relations, Stewardship, Prospect Research, Prospect Management, Board Relations and Campaign Operations. His expertise is people and operational dynamics with a strong focus on data driven decision making and measurable outcomes. Mr. Alam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics, Economics and Theater from Bates College and a Master’s in Organizational Communications from Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information. He is a native of Bangladesh.