1:00–2:00 PM EST

The Essentials of High-Performing Teams 

Jeff Schoenherr, Associate Vice President of Medical and Health Sciences Development, West Virginia University Foundation

An essential competency for leaders of any size advancement program is the ability to form and lead high performing teams.  From making the right hires to creating a clear understanding of what success looks like, today’s advancement leaders must master the ability to get people wearing many different hats to work seamlessly across the organization.  If it’s true that advancement is the ultimate team sport, taking a coaching approach will be key to ensuring that your team is successful, engaged, empowered, and having fun too.

2:15–3:45

All faculty session Q&A

Connect with the faculty and fellow attendees to ask questions, discuss and share best practices and resources.  This conversation between presenters and attendees will cover topics such as: implementing meaningful DEI efforts into our organizations; maintaining and enhancing culture in an all virtual or hybrid work environment, and leading into the post-pandemic era.

• Assessing Your Leadership Skills and Building Your Personal Brand 
  
  Christy Cates, Executive Director of Advancement Services for Development & Institute Relations, California Institute of Technology
  
  Holly Wolk, Executive Director for Talent Management and Administration, University of Rochester
  
  
  
  Strong and effective leadership requires self-awareness and continued focus.  Understanding and accessing your unique “strengths” will allow you to build a clear personal leadership brand that taps into your talents. In this two part session, we will review the philosophy behind StrengthsFinders and how your “strengths” connect to your leadership brand.
• Using Metrics to Manage and Drive Stronger Performance
  
  April Cole, Director of Alumni Programs, Rice University
  
  David A Lively, Senior Associate Vice President Alumni Relations and Development, Northwestern University
  
  
  
  As the expectation for better and more effective managers in the advancement profession continues to grow, managers must embrace a robust set of tools that can actually make their jobs simpler. With customized performance metrics and improved portfolio management systems, managers have access to data that can help them manage better and drive stronger results in fundraising and alumni relations. But what are the data telling you, anyway? And, how have organizations evolved their metrics in light of their virtual work – what does this portend for the future of advancement? Join David Lively and April Cole as they share lessons on metrics to challenge the status quo.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Driving Success for Today’s Leaders
  
  Kathi Dantley Warren, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Rice University
  
  Multiple tragic events in 2020 brought diversity, equity and inclusion to the forefront of society and within our organizations. Building a culture within the advancement organization that values and promotes DEI strategies are imperative, especially for advancement leaders in their efforts to engage a rapidly diversifying alumni base and to diversify the base of donors. In this session Kathi Dantley Warren will share how Rice University has approached DEI work to drive success within their organizations.