Speakers
Sue Cunningham
Sue Cunningham is President and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which supports over 3,000 schools, colleges and universities worldwide in developing their integrated advancement work (alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing operations). As CASE President and CEO, Ms. Cunningham provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the largest associations of education-related institutions in the world with members in over 80 countries. She started her leadership role at CASE in March 2015.
While at CASE, Ms. Cunningham has engaged CASE in two strategic planning processes. The first, which engaged thousands of CASE volunteers, resulted in Reimagining CASE: 2017-2021, and created an ambitious framework for serving CASE’s members and championing education worldwide, which included a comprehensive restructure of CASE’s volunteer leadership and governance structure. Building on the strengths of this plan, she led a recalibration exercise that resulted in Championing Advancement: CASE 2022-2027. This Plan articulates a clear strategic intent: that CASE will define the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, and lead and champion their dissemination and application across the world’s educational institutions.
Among the key initiatives that have developed under her leadership include the redesign and delivery of a new global governance structure. In addition, CASE acquired the Voluntary Support of Education survey and created CASE’s Insights, CASE’s global research and data efforts. CASE published the first global and digital edition of CASE’s Global Reporting Standards and Guidelines, which operate as the industry-leading Standards for the profession, and launched the first global Alumni Engagement survey in addition to annual fundraising surveys. CASE created an ambitious competencies model across all advancement disciplines and a related career journey framework; opened the CASE Opportunities and Inclusion Center which focuses on equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging; and has reinvigorated a global advocacy agenda to communicate the value of education. Ms. Cunningham serves as a Trustee and Secretary for the University of San Diego, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board. She is a member of the Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia) Board of Directors, Chairs their Governance Committee, and sits on the Executive Committee. She is a member of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat steering committee, the International Association of University Presidents Executive Committee, and the International Women’s Forum. She has recently been named to the new, US-based Council of Higher Education as a Strategic Asset. She is the author of ‘Global Exchange: Dialogues to Advance Education’.
Prior to her appointment to CASE, Ms. Cunningham served as Vice-Principal for Advancement at the University of Melbourne where she led the Believe campaign resulting in surpassing its original $500 million goal; and the Director of Development for the University of Oxford where she led the development team through the first phase of the largest fundraising campaign outside of the United States (at the time): Oxford Thinking, with a goal of £1.25 billion. She served as Director of Development at Christ Church, Oxford and as Director of External Relations at St. Andrews University.
Before working in education, Ms. Cunningham enjoyed a career in theatre, the arts and the cultural sector. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2012, Ms. Cunningham received the CASE Europe Distinguished Service Award, and has received the coveted CASE Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ms. Cunningham was awarded a master’s degree from the University of Oxford, a bachelor’s degree in performing arts from Middlesex University, and is a graduate of the Columbia University Senior Executive Program.
Carlos H. Garcia
El Dr. García es Director de Relaciones Institucionales y Coordinador de la Oficina de la Rectoría en CETYS Universidad, un sistema universitario particular de enfoque global ubicado en el noroeste de México. El Dr. García ha estado involucrado en temas de relaciones externas por más de 20 años, habiendo servido como Director de Avance Institucional del Sistema CETYS (2004-2009), Director de Campus en dos periodos (2010-2016), y Enlace con el Órgano de Gobierno (2008-2020). En su rol actual tiene a su cargo la supervisión de las Direcciones de Alumni, Comunicación Institucional, entre otros.Como enlace con el Instituto Educativo del Noroeste, Órgano de Gobierno del CETYS, el Dr. García ha hecho el staffing de su Comité de Nominaciones (Gobernanza) coordinando los proceso de desarrollo, evaluación y capacitación. Fue el principal punto de contacto para un proceso de reestructuración multianual por el cual el Consejo fue reconocido con el el prestigioso Premio John W. Nason de AGB, siendo la primera institución fuera de EUA en recibir tal reconocimiento a las mejores prácticas de Gobernanza.
Credenciales profesionales
Obtuvo su Doctorado en City University en Seattle, WA, y un MBA por CETYS Universidad. En el ámbito de avance institucional, el Dr. García tiene una preparación formal que incluye su paso por la prestigiada The Fundraising Schools en Indiana-Purdue y la Escuela de Graduados en Educación de Harvard, así como diversos seminarios y cursos de actualización.
Carlos está activo en varias organizaciones de la educación superior, incluyendo el Consejo para el Avance y el Apoyo a la Educación (CASE), la Asociación de Consejos de Gobierno de Universidades y Colegios (AGB), y el Consejo Americano de Educación (ACE). Ha sido miembro de la junta directiva de COPARMEX (organización empresarial líder en México), la Corporación de Desarrollo Económico, Cruz Roja Mexicana, el Museo de Ciencias Caracol, Rotary International (D-4100), entre otros.
Adicionalmente, ha tenido una participación activa como voluntario en CASE donde ha impartido cursos, seminarios y talleres relacionados con avance institucional, filantropía, relaciones con ex alumnos, mercadotecnia para universidades y colegios, tanto para Latinoamérica como en los EUA. Fue miembro de la Comisión de Relaciones con Ex Alumnos del Consejo Directivo de CASE (Washington, DC).
Es miembro por invitación del selecto cuerpo de consultores del Association of Governing Board, medio por el cual se apoya a instituciones educativas a mejorar sus procesos de Gobernanza.
Christine Fairchild
Christine Fairchild was appointed Oxford University’s new Director of Alumni Relations in March 2011. She retired from this post in August 2023.
She and her team were responsible for supporting links between alumni of the collegiate University and Oxford through a dynamic offering of events, benefits, services and communications vehicles. The University has 350,000+ known alumni in 188 countries. There is an extensive alumni network made up of 180 active branches and shared interest groups.
Before arriving in Oxford, she had 20 years of experience in alumni relations at the Harvard Business School (HBS), including most recently as Executive Director of External Relations, overseeing the School’s alumni outreach and fundraising activities.
Educated at Connecticut College in the US, Christine graduated with a BA in Asian Studies. Upon graduation, she joined the Harvard Art Museums, where she spent ten years in membership, development, special events and public education activities. She has volunteered for Hospice of Cambridge, Mount Auburn Hospital, Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, Learning by Design, Concord Academy and Connecticut College. She has been a member of the CERN Alumni Advisory Board and currently sits on the Malvern College Council and is a Trustee of the Malvernian Society. She is an Emeritus Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford, a CASE Laureate and the recipient of a CASE Crystal Apple Award.
Mónica Manzanilla
Estudió Comercio Internacional en el Tec de Monterrey y ha tenido experiencia en ventas internacionales y negocios familiares. Acumula más de 18 años de experiencia en procuración de fondos y desarrollo institucional. Cuenta con un Diplomado en Fund Raising Management, por la Association of Fundraising Professionals y la Universidad de Plymouth, de igual manera está certificada como Major Gift Officer y Major Gift Manager, además de diversos cursos en Creative Leadership, Responsabilidad Social corporativa y protocolos familiares con el Family Firm Insitute. Actualmente estudia un master en Estudios Filantrópicos en la reconocida Lilly Family School of Philanthropy de Indiana University.
Inició su carrera en Procuración en el año 2000, en Instituto Nuevo Amanecer, en Monterrey, Nuevo León, México, uno de los centros de atención a niños con Parálisis Cerebral más reconocidos en América Latina.
Del 2012 al 2015, colaboró con la Cruz Roja Mexicana como Coordinadora de Procuración en el Estado de Nuevo León, impulsando la Campaña Capital para la construcción de Bases de Socorro y manejando la procuración en situaciones de crisis y desastres naturales.
Del 2015 al 2021 formó parte de la Universidad de Monterrey, como Directora de Desarrollo, colaborando con un equipo de 30 profesionales, un gran equipo de voluntarios y consejeros, con la responsabilidad de diseñar y coordinar una campaña filantrópica 2014- 2019, con resultados extraordinarios, superando la meta de 50 millones de dólares.
A partir de septiembre del 2021, asume el rol de ser la primer Vicerrectora de Avance Institucional de CETYS Universidad en Baja California, con la responsabilidad de diseñar e implementar la campaña Capital para impulsar la Visión 2036 que define el crecimiento de la Universidad en los siguientes 15 años.
Desde el 2021, es reconocida como CFRE, “Certified Fund Raising Executive”, sumándose a un selecto grupo de profesionales certificados en México y América Latina, esta certificación avala el nivel profesional, desempeño, manejo de mejores prácticas y entendimiento ético de la profesión. También ha brindado consultorías y apoyo pro-bono de Procuración a diversas organizaciones civiles.
Mónica se siente muy privilegiada por ser voluntaria y consejera de Mujer en Plenitud, organización que trabaja con el empoderamiento de la mujer en las zonas más vulnerables de México.
Monica cree fervientemente en la fuerza de la Filantropía, como una vocación que puede cambiar la vida de una persona y de una comunidad entera.
Jorge Meza
Estudió el Doctorado en Historia del Arte, en Casa Lamm, la Maestría en Ingeniería en Sistemas, en la Universidad Iberoamericana, CDMX; el programa de Diseño e Innovación de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional en Madrid; un Posgrado en Gráfica, en la Academia de Bellas Artes de Cracovia, Polonia; la Maestría en Artes Visuales en la Academia de San Carlos, UNAM, y la Licenciatura en Diseño Gráfico en la Universidad Iberoamericana, CDMX.
A finales de los años noventa trabaja como director creativo de la agencia de publicidad Schulz en Cracovia, Polonia diseñando campañas para Pizza Hut, K.F.C., Carrefour y Nestlé. A su regreso a México funda y dirige la agencia Bok Asociados, desarrollando campañas publicitarias para New York Deli & Bagel, Restaurantes La Tablita y Tablitaco, Cruceros Festival, New Art Xocolatl, entre otros.
En 2008 funda, con su socio, Estrategas Digitales (https://estrategasdigitales.com) consultora especializada en diseño estratégico, innovación y mercadotecnia digital trabajando para clientes como: Aeroméxico, Banorte, GNP Seguros, Liverpool, SCJN, Televisa, IEDF, Gayosso, Gerber, CIDE, EBC, UAM entre otros. Constantemente participa como ponente en foros nacionales e internacionales sobre Diseño, Estrategia, Innovación, Mercadotecnia, Tecnología y Negocios.
En el 2002 se incorpora a la Universidad Iberoamericana, CDMX como académico de tiempo completo y coordinador de la Lic. en Diseño Gráfico. En el 2004 crea y coordina la Lic. en Diseño Interactivo. En abril del 2006 es nombrado director del Depto. de Diseño de la Universidad Iberoamericana, cargo que desempeña hasta septiembre de 2014. De enero de 2015 a mayo de 2022 ocupa el cargo de director general de Vinculación Universitaria, promoviendo diversos programas innovadores y alianzas estratégicas con egresadxs, emprendedorxs, empresas, gobiernos, universidades y organizaciones del tercer sector. Actualmente es director de Admisión y Experiencia de la Trayectoria Universitaria.
Fernando León-García
Fernando León-García has been president of CETYS University since 2010, leading the institution to institutional and program accreditation in the United States (WASC, ACBSP, ABET), and one of the highest student mobility rates in Mexico. Prior to that, he served as chancellor of City University of Seattle‘s International Division, covering programs, campuses and sites across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Before joining City University, he served as chief academic officer of Apollo International/University of Phoenix International. From 1974 to 2000, he served in diverse capacities at CETYS including chief academic officer/ provost.
León-García serves on several boards and/or advisory groups related to international higher education, accreditation, governance and institutional development including the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards (AGB), Commission on Internationalization/Global Engagement of the American Council on Education (ACE), Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), CONAHEC (Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration), Universia-Mexico and Mexican Federation of Private Universities (FIMPES). He is president-elect of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP).
León-García holds a doctorate in educational administration and policy analysis and a master's degree in international development education from Stanford University, as well as a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from CETYS University.
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda
Santiago Fernández-Gubieda Lacalle specializes in the management of the reputation of organizations. He is director of the reputation unit and director of development of the Centre for University Governance and Reputation at the University of Navarra in Spain. He was previously director of communications at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and worked at a consultancy service on corporate speech and in the media for more than ten years. His doctoral thesis explores the reputation and governance of higher education institutions. He has presented at many conferences and written articles on university management.
Sergio Gonzalez
Sergio M. Gonzalez joined Brown University as Senior Vice President for Advancement in 2017. He oversees all advancement areas across the institution, including development, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, international advancement, the Brown Sports Foundation, and the Brown Annual Fund. He leads the $3 billion Brown Together campaign which exceeded its $3 billion goal early and is now aiming to raise $4 billion. Before coming to Brown, Gonzalez served as Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs at the University of Miami from 2001-2017. He was the architect and leader of two successful fundraising campaigns that together raised more than $3 billion.
Prior to joining the University of Miami, Gonzalez served in multiple roles in Miami-Dade County government, including Chief of Staff for the Miami-Dade County Executive Mayor, Director of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, and Executive Director of the South Florida 1999 Super Bowl Host Committee. Gonzalez is chair of the Board of Trustees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He also chaired the CASE U.S./Canada Regional Council. Gonzalez also chaired an annual CASE conference for Latin American university presidents and advancement practitioners over a number of years, and speaks frequently on the advancement profession to diverse audiences in the US and abroad. Gonzalez has a long history of civic service both in Miami and since coming to Providence. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and has served on the Board of Directors of UnidosUS, the largest national Hispanic advocacy and civil rights organization.
Other past board service includes Belen Jesuit Prep School in Miami, the Orange Bowl, Breakthrough Miami, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. In Providence, Gonzalez served on the board of the Trinity Repertory Theater and currently serves on the board of the Wheeler School.
James T. Harris III
James T. Harris III became the University of San Diego's fourth president on August 3, 2015. Throughout his academic career, he has worked closely with cross-discipline teams to spearhead new civic and community engagements, connecting academic environments with intractable issues faced by society.
Previously, he served for 13 years as the president of Widener University. He initiated and oversaw the establishment of the Chester Higher Education Council, a consortium of a diverse group of colleges and universities dedicated to improving access to higher education for students from underserved populations. Under his leadership, Widener opened the Widener Partnership Charter School, the state's first university-based charter school and developed other programs to engage the community. During his tenure, the university completed its largest campaign, achieved the highest undergraduate enrollment in its history, improved the retention and graduate rates of students, and achieved national recognition for its work in civic engagement.
Prior to his appointment at Widener, he was the president of Defiance College, where he established the McMaster School for the Advancement of Humanity and developed a service-learning program that was ranked among the top 25 in the country.
The span of his career includes volunteer leadership service in numerous local, state and national roles. In recognition of his considerable contributions to education and the communities he has served,Harris is the recipient of many awards and honors, including leadership awards from the NAACP for his work on defending civil rights. Earlier in his career, he was named by the John Templeton Foundation as one of the Top 50 Character-Building Presidents in America, and in 2011, he received the Chief Executive Leadership Award from CASE. Defiance College recognized him in 2002 with its highest recognition, the Pilgrim Award; and Widener University bestowed upon him the lifetime title of President Emeritus in 2015. In 2014, he was recognized with the College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals' Ciervo Award, presented to one who exemplifies the association's fundamental purposes of supporting and advancing the understanding of higher education.
Harris earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo, a master's degree in educational administration from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in education from Pennsylvania State University. All three of his alma maters have recognized him for his leadership in education and in 2013, The Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees named him a Distinguished Alumnus, the highest honor the university bestows upon a graduate.