Working in development for almost a decade, Mandie is an experienced donor relations specialist with a passion for creating impactful and innovative opportunities for donors. Currently the Associate Director of Advancement and External Relations at Kent State University's College of the Arts, she develops and implements external relations initiatives and supports the wider fundraising activities of the College. 

She was previously the Donor Relations Manager at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she was responsible for planning, delivering and monitoring a comprehensive and structured stewardship programme for donors. Prior to that, she spent five years leading the donor relations function at King’s College London & King’s Health Partners, where her team won a CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award in Donor Relations and Stewardship Initiatives, and held similar roles in the development offices at the University of Salford and West Virginia University. She holds a BA from Kent State University and a MA from West Virginia University in art history. 

Alex started his journey in the development sector in 2016 as a CASE Graduate Trainee at UCL, where he discovered a real passion for stewardship – what’s more fun than saying thank you to people in impactful and meaningful ways? He joined the Donor Relations Team at UCL in 2017, in which he stayed throughout their campaign (It’s All Academic) and the establishment of the UCL Circle of Benefactors and central donor wall for £1m+ donors.

Last year he joined King’s College London to take on the exciting new challenge of leading the brilliant Donor Relations Team who work across the University and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity Partners. King's and Guy’s and St Thomas’ are always looking for new and exciting ways to celebrate their donors and Alex is looking forward to hearing ideas and experiences from across the sector at the conference!