Dusti Cermak serves as the Executive Director of Events at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement where she has been for 25+ years, executing memorable events of every shape and size. In her role, Cermak leads a team of six dedicated professionals who produce engaging events for alumni, donors, fans, and friends across the country and world.

Cermak has a demonstrated history of working in the fundraising industry with diverse experience in event planning, stewardship, board governance, and nonprofit organizations. A strong operations professional, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Northern Iowa and is an active member of her community.

Shelley Baumgarten is the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at The Hill School, a boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. A seasoned professional with a background in project management and education, Shelley is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of events and programs that strategically engage alumni and parents to strengthen their affinity to the school. 

Richard Farias serves as the Director of Annual Giving at the Alamo Colleges District, which is comprised of five colleges and multiple workforce centers that serve over 70,000 students annually in the greater San Antonio region. In his role, Richard leads annual giving efforts, supports alumni outreach, and plays a key role in advancement event logistics. Prior to his advancement role, Richard worked at San Antonio College, where he served as full-time faculty in the writing program, Student Activities Director, interim Dean of Student Success, and in community outreach in the Office of the President. He is a lifelong resident of San Antonio and enjoys travel, hiking, and reading.

Natalie Ross is the Senior Director of Alumni Events and Programs at the University of Maryland Alumni Association. Her work focuses on Signature Alumni events that establish tradition. Natalie oversees the alumni events and programs team which supports regional, campaign, member, and athletics events. She develops strategies and tactics to increase alumni participation across the country. In addition to events, she also oversees the alumni association’s Board of Governors Awards and Recognition Committee. In that role, she works with across campus to identify, pipeline and recognize outstanding alumni and donors. Prior to working at Maryland, she was the Director of Special Events at The Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. During her tenure at Columbia, she supported the Chief Executive's office and executed donor and award dinners, AOA inductions, Commencement, ground breakings and other institutional celebrations. As a 19-year event professional she has worked in the public sector as well as private sector.

Jenn Wright leads the Events & Programming team at Davidson College, housed within the division of College Relations. In her role, Jenn supervises a team of 6 professionals who together support virtual and live events including scholarship dinners, athletics events, alumni engagement and reunion programming, building dedications, regional and campus presidential events, public lectures, and other signature events.

Before coming to Davidson, Jenn spent 8 years at Elon University. She started her events career in alumni engagement, overseeing alumni chapters. Over time, her role expanded to include regional presidential events, building groundbreakings and dedications, specialty stewardship for principal gift donors, and Elon’s campaign opening in April 2019. Jenn finds the most event joy in selecting beautiful linens and writing staffing plans!

Kara has been working in higher education for nearly 20 years. She currently serves as the Director for Events in Alumni Affairs and Development at Harvard University.  She loves bringing mission-driven experiences to life to engage donors and alumni. Kara thrives on standardizing protocols and creating best practices for the team.  She previously served in alumni relations and events roles for Rutgers University, Mercy College and Wagner College.

Ansley Caldwell is Clemson University's 1889 Cumulative Giving Societies Program and Events Manager. A 2022 graduate of Clemson University, Ansley joined the Office of Central Donor Relations after completing a year-and-a-half-long student internship with the team. Previously being the Operations and Events Manager for the team, Ansley is well-versed in all aspects of donor relations at Clemson University. Her current role focuses on constructing and executing an elevated, unique, and engaging strategy to the University's giving programs for the top donors. Whether engineering an unprecedented multi-day event for over 500 of Clemson's top donors or rallying students to handwrite more than 1 ,000 gratitude notes for the University's Thank a Donor Day, you can always count on Ansley to be ALL IN! Ansley is originally from Aiken, SC, and currently resides in Greenville, SC. As a lifelong Clemson fan, you can find her cheering on the Tigers at any Clemson Athletic game or walking the Swamp Rabbit Trail in her free time.

Nicholas Campisi, PhD currently serves as CASE’s Director of Data Science, where he uses R to develop benchmarking reports for CASE survey participants. He trained at top institutions in the United Kingdom and Germany, where he served as the department expert in R programming and taught introductory and advanced statistical analysis in R to university students. In his roles working with government bodies in the United States and United Kingdom, he integrated analysis in R with SQL databases and higher education data products.

Nichol Chambers is the Associate Director of Events for Development and Alumni Relations at Rice University. As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 4 years of experience in crisis management, 8 years of experience in special events and 5 years of experience in team leadership, Nichol comes with a broad scope of knowledge in her field. As Associate Director of Events at Rice University, she leads a team of event producers in which the team plans and executes Development, Alumni and Presidential events from small to large-scale complexities both locally and regionally. This team plans Families Weekend, Alumni Weekend, spring and fall Commencement events, conferences, executive lectures, and dinners/receptions for various groups across the university. With a social work lens, Nichol values empowering others around her and harnessing team members’ strengths to achieve a memorable guest experience and successful ROI for all events.

Rachael Dillon is the Assistant Director of Events at the Indiana University Alumni Association's Indianapolis campus. She holds a bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management and a master's degree in International and Comparative Education, both from Indiana University. Rachael currently maintains a varied portfolio of events for alumni from Indiana University's Indianapolis campus and identity-based alumni groups from all Indiana University campuses. She brings over a decade of hospitality and events experience, most of which is within higher education.

Rachael's passions lie in strategic planning of event logistics, maximized efficiency during the planning cycle, and creating inclusive spaces for all alumni. She challenges her colleagues to consider creative solutions to event-related questions and advocates to remove obstacles for attendees. She believes that there is much more work to do, and is excited to share thoughts and experiences that benefit all events in advancement.

Ashley Dow Burton is an event strategist and producer who first fell in love with the magic of live experiences while performing with a college dance company. She has been chasing that performer’s high ever since. For the last 20 years, Ashley has worked on product launches, fashion shows, conferences, milestone celebrations, festivals and more. Her work has taken her around the U.S.A. and to Europe, Asia and the Middle East where she spent six years living and working in Doha, Qatar. In 2022, she established and launched the office of signature events at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Ashley maintains a professional credential as a Certified Special Event Professional through the International Live Events Association and is a licensed trainer by The Protocol School of Washington to teach intercultural etiquette and protocol.

She is a graduate of Longwood University and Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a certificate in event management from The George Washington University School of Business.

With almost 25 years of experience in higher education events management, Christy Doyle has designed and executed hundreds of university events, bringing creativity and passion to every project while striving to exceed expectations. Director of the University at Albany’s Office of University Events, she leads a ‘small but mighty’ team responsible for producing institutional events including academic ceremonies such as Commencement and Convocation; a wide variety of development/donor events such as the annual black tie fundraising and scholarship dinners, donor-endowed lectures, and campaign events; university-wide events such as Speaker Series; and other signature or milestone events such as inaugurations, ground breakings, grand openings, and more. A master of her craft, Christy can seamlessly pivot from coordinating critical event details to guiding leadership in collaborative decision-making using data-driven systemic thinking and intuitive problem solving to schlepping event materials. Footnote: she is not a ‘party planner,’ there is no such thing as ‘first annual,’ and never use ‘please RSVP’ in the same sentence.

Dr. Jessica Elmore, a dynamic scholar-practitioner, and expert in educational advancement and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), is dedicated to transforming and elevating the landscape of philanthropic engagement through innovative DEIB strategies. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Elmore's work bridges the gap between cultural community engagement and educational advancement, ensuring that all voices and experiences are heard and valued.

Dr. Elmore joined CASE as the Senior Director of Cross-Cultural Learnings within the CASE OIC: Opportunities and Inclusion Centerᵀᴹ. In this role, she has been instrumental in developing CASE’s first online DEIB course, "The Journey Starts with You: DEIB in Advancement," and delivering bespoke training through CASE@Campus. Jessica is responsible for developing the training and content vision for upskilling, enhancing job performance, boosting organizational culture and contributing to the overall growth of an organization's outreach and engagement with their diverse alumni, donors and stakeholders.   

Previously, the California native relocated to the Midwest and served as the point person and leader for community relationship building and engagement programming for diverse domestic and international alumni and students for the Kansas State University Alumni Association. In Dr. Elmore’s progressive role, she cultivated over $600,000 from diverse donors and organizations; established a successful diverse volunteer leaders board pipeline, executed over 300 cultural-affiliated alumni and student events, garnering national recognition and professional organization industry awards; served as co-editor for the Association’s first diversity-devoted alumni magazine issue, and was a steadfast campus connector who accumulated an immense amount of social capital resulting in successful collaborations with various campus entities including but not limited to, international programs, athletics, and campus administration.

Jessica's expertise lies in creating award-winning external programming and cultivating relationships with domestic multicultural and international alumni and students. She is an interactive trainer and communicator with a proven track record of helping individuals grasp complex concepts through engaging and approachable methods. Her ability to create environments where people feel confident to navigate new spaces and contribute meaningfully sets her apart in the field of educational advancement. Jessica excels in breaking down intricate ideas into easily digestible insights, empowering participants to not only understand but also apply their knowledge in impactful ways.

Dr. Elmore holds a doctorate in educational leadership, a master’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University, and a mass communication degree from Grambling State University. Her diverse educational background equips her with a unique perspective on the interconnection and nuances of educational advancement.

Driven by a vision of inclusive excellence and social mobility, Dr. Elmore believes in the transformative power of education to create equitable opportunities for all. Her approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the diverse needs of alumni and donor communities.

Christine Kuehl Kunkel is the Director of Professional Programs at the University of Maryland Alumni Association. Ms. Kunkel brings more than 20 years of higher education experience to her role, where she designs and leads programs, events, and alumni engagement opportunities focusing on entrepreneurs, business leaders, and executive-level alumni. In addition to serving external stakeholders, she identifies and initiates opportunities for cross-department programmatic collaboration and sits on the university-wide economic impact committee. Before joining the Alumni Association, Ms. Kunkel served as the Association Director of the Foreign Policy Institute and the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she provided operational leadership and oversaw strategic planning and program development for the two research institutes. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Government and Politics and a scholar's certificate in International Studies. She also earned a Management Development Certificate from Johns Hopkins University's Carey School of Business.

Jihan Lang is a standout figure in Atlanta's dynamic event production scene, celebrated for her innovative approach and deep expertise in Donor Relations, VIP Constituent Engagements, and Governmental Affairs. With over two decades of experience in the event planning industry, Jihan has made a lasting impact on a wide spectrum of occasions, ranging from product launches and nonprofit galas to exclusive social gatherings and multi-million-dollar campaign celebrations.

Specializing in curating top-tier events, Jihan has demonstrated her versatility by extending her talents across various domains. Her professional repertoire includes significant contributions to governmental affairs, community outreach, business development, fundraising, and engagement within the local political, civic, social, and artistic spheres. Jihan's unwavering dedication to crafting memorable and impactful events underscores her genuine passion for uniting people and fostering meaningful connections across diverse segments of society.

In her role at Spelman College, Ms. Lang spearheads fundraising and advancement events, managing everything from intimate gatherings with 10 attendees to large-scale functions boasting 50,000 guests, all within budgets spanning from $500 to $500,000. Notably, she has orchestrated two college campaigns, successfully achieving fundraising goals of $150 million and $358 million.

Jihan attributes her event success to her keen sensitivity to the needs of constituents, striving to transform every event into an unforgettable experience. With a profound understanding of the big picture and an unmatched ability to execute with flawless precision, she offers clients a passion for creative planning and a flair for visual concept design. Jihan's impeccable taste and style, aligned with the latest trends while maintaining a distinctive touch, set her apart in the industry. Beyond her professional acumen, Jihan's calming & "grace under fire"; demeanor and meticulous attention to detail make her an invaluable asset to any team.

As the Assistant Director of Events at the Indiana University Alumni Association, Esteban Mancheno Chiriboga brings to the table over a decade of expertise in the hospitality field. Holding a B.A. in Hospitality Management, an MBA, and a Master's in Commercial Direction and Marketing, Esteban has honed his skills and earned an Event and Wedding Planner Certification. His role involves overseeing a diverse portfolio of events, ranging from conferences and sporting events to regional market events, governance, and lifelong learning initiatives. This responsibility is marked by his commitment to strategic planning and seamless execution.

With experience in the alumni relations world and having attended the CASE Conference for Alumni Relations, Esteban is well-versed in the intricacies of fostering connections within this field. His international work experience in Ecuador, Spain, and the USA has broadened his perspective and enhanced his ability to navigate cross-cultural dynamics. Fluent in three languages—Spanish (native), English, and French—Esteban is passionate about creating memorable experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. Excited to share insights, best practices, and innovative approaches in event management, Esteban looks forward to connecting with peers and leaders in this space and learning from their experiences.

Jay Meyers currently serves as Director of Leadership Annual Giving at the University of Maryland. With over a decade of experience in fundraising, Jay has successfully revamped the program’s model and strategy, leading to early success, and has increased collaboration efforts with numerous units and teams across campus. Prior to his current role, Jay has held leadership and gift officer roles focused on major giving at UMD, Shawnee State University, and Ohio University. Jay earned an MBA from Ohio University and an undergraduate degree from Ohio Northern University.

Jess spent nearly a decade in higher education advancement where she helped institutions like the University of Florida and Rutgers University operationalize communications and fundraising strategies for multi-billion-dollar comprehensive campaigns. At Level5 Events, Jess leverages her expert execution, creative eye, and higher education insight to build collaborative partnerships and create strategic roadmaps for initiatives of all scopes and scales.

Michael has dedicated his 20+ years in the event communications industry to truly understanding the critical issues facing his clients. A passionate advocate for the power of face-to-face engagements, Michael has applied his background in journalism and media production to help create successful engagement solutions for Sprint, Hospira, and JP Morgan Chase in the corporate space. Within higher education, Michael helped guide events for The University of Chicago’s $4.5B campaign, the University of Washington’s $5B comprehensive campaign, the University of Florida’s $3B campaign, the University of Illinois’ $2.25B campaign, and campaign launches for Virginia Tech, University of Alabama, Muhlenberg College, the George Washington University Bicentennial Bash weekend and the Yale University Explores national tour.

Jean Marie Richardson is a native Georgian, a Georgia Tech alumna, and the Founder and CEO of iFOLIO. (We're hiring!)

She founded iFOLIO after building products at Microsoft and Oracle and seeing firsthand the challenges delivering digital solutions easily with understaffed teams.

Richardson is a triple patented inventor with patents on analytics, and a Stevie Gold Award recipient for Best Female Entrepreneur, Business Products. 

iFOLIO powers more than 2,000,000 live sites for clients across industries.  Key universities include the University of Notre Dame, Clemson Foundation, Georgia Tech Foundation, UNLV, University of South Carolina, Stetson, Henry Ford College, Northeastern Foundation, and more. 

Richardson serves on:

•             The Capital Campaign Steering Committee, at Georgia Tech

•             The Georgia Tech Advisory Board to the President, at Georgia Tech

•             The Cadence Bank Atlanta Advisory Board

•             The Georgia Tech Athletics A.T. Board of Directors

•             As Chairman of the iFOLIO Board

She speaks at colleges and national conferences about the intersection of analytics and business, scaling digital personalization, and tech innovation. She writes about women in business and women in tech. 

She lives in Atlanta with her husband Hap and her 2 pups Harper Lee and Beaux.

Kennedy Rostenkowski is the Senior Associate Director of Events at the Indiana University Alumni Association. With over a decade of strategic event planning experience and 7 years in higher education events, Kennedy understands the demand, now more than ever, to be collaborative and deliberate with the time, resources, and staffing challenges that come in today's world of Higher Education and Advancement. Her role oversees all event planning logistics for the Alumni Association's signature programming, strategic initiatives pertaining to programs and events, as well as her own portfolio of events related to large scale programming, governance, and multi-day conferences and events.

Kennedy holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management and completed her Certified Meeting Professional certificate in 2021. Kennedy has grown with the Indiana University Alumni Association, holding various events positions over the years, and has seen first hand how imperative efficiency and strategic planning is to any event planning lifecycle and how vendor vetting and the selection of quality vendors, that align with your organization's values, can make or break the success of any event.

Jennifer Sanders, Director of Donor Programming at Clemson University, oversees elevated donor programming for the University's cumulative giving program, 1889 Societies. This recently refreshed and rebranded program recognizes philanthropic donors for their lifetime giving to Clemson University in the areas of both Academics and Athletics. Jennifer also directs donor programming for Clemson's Cornerstone Program, which encompasses a special group of bold and visionary donors who have given transformational gifts of $2.5 million or more to move Clemson forward. Their leadership lays a foundation for Clemson’s next stage of growth. A graduate of Clemson University in 2000, Jennifer returned to her alma mater after a career change and found her true calling in the field of Advancement and Donor Relations. Jennifer, her husband and two children reside in the upstate of South Carolina, not far from Clemson's beautiful campus. A true tiger and avid Clemson fan, you will still find Jennifer on campus attending Clemson events even when she isn't at the office.