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District VI Annual Conference 2025
District VI Annual Conference 2025
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2 Results Found
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT
Building a Best-in-Class Fund Management Program That Pays Continuous Dividends
Let’s be honest – managing and reporting on donor funds is no small feat and advancement teams cannot do it alone. We rely heavily on our systems, processes, and organization partners to help us create the best donor experiences we possibly can. But if you ask yourself: Are our donor funds being utilized? Are they being used correctly and timely? Should we be worried when we send out our annual donor fund reports? And if you've shared some of these concerns, you're not alone. In recent years, many organizations have grappled with similar questions, finding little guidance on this vital aspect of any advancement operation. Join us in this session as we look at several case studies on how organizations like yours built the case for support to create and grow a fund management program. It's time to bring the discussion on funds management challenges out of closed-door conversations and begin an industry dialogue to identify what tools, resources, and standards need to be in place to successfully manage and steward donor funds. Whether you are new to funds management or seasoned in the field, come prepared to share your experiences and glean insights from others in this collaborative space.
Speakers: Aaron Rouse, Director of Fund Stewardship and Management, University of Nebraska Foundation, Chelsea Lamego, Co-Founder and CEO, FundMiner
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingBusiness and Financial Acumen
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM CT
Building Employee Engagement to Drive Performance Outcomes
Warren Buffett once said, “You only get one mind and one body...it’s what you do right now, today, that determines how your mind and body will operate 10, 20, and 30 years from now.” This session invites participants to pause and assess their current approach to wellness, both personally and professionally.
Co-led by two longtime Advancement professionals, the session will start with a brief awareness exercise to reflect on your available time and an interactive poll on wellness habits. Then, through a guided discussion of the Gallup Engagement Pyramid, we’ll explore practical strategies for:
• Advocating for clear goals, resources, and boundaries to achieve professional success.
• Leveraging your strengths and prioritizing self-care to fulfill individual needs.
• Building meaningful workplace relationships and fostering psychological safety within teams.
• Pursuing opportunities for growth and development in your role. The session will conclude with a wellness planning exercise, empowering you to recharge intentionally and sustain your well-being over time. Join us to take control of your wellness journey and thrive both inside and outside of work.
• Advocating for clear goals, resources, and boundaries to achieve professional success.
• Leveraging your strengths and prioritizing self-care to fulfill individual needs.
• Building meaningful workplace relationships and fostering psychological safety within teams.
• Pursuing opportunities for growth and development in your role. The session will conclude with a wellness planning exercise, empowering you to recharge intentionally and sustain your well-being over time. Join us to take control of your wellness journey and thrive both inside and outside of work.
Speakers: Christy Cates, Associate Vice Chancellor, Advancement Operations, University of Denver, Katrina Onderdonk, Senior Director, Talent Management for Advancement and Alumni Relations, California Institute of Technology
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingLeadership