Correan Barker is a visionary leader with over eleven years of experience in higher education advancement, dedicated to galvanizing communities and driving transformative change through philanthropy.

As the Associate Vice President for Constituent Engagement at The Evergreen State College, Correan sets the vision and strategies to fortify relationships with external and internal stakeholders. He oversees a centralized Engagement Team responsible for delivering impactful alumni programs, annual giving, stewardship, philanthropic marketing and communications, and events. Correan spearheads high-profile, college-wide initiatives that integrate events and communications for Advancement, the Foundation, and the Office of the President and Executive Vice President. Most recently, he led the public launch and community phases of the $62.5m Forever Green campaign.

Correan has a results-driven track record for successfully aligning strategy and program implementation with institutional priorities. As a people-centered leader, he believes in centering authenticity, creativity, and collaboration at the heart of an organization, empowering teams to achieve their best. He is driven by a belief in the power of education and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, aspiring to make positive change and shape a future where access to opportunities and cultural enrichment are truly universal.

Correan holds an MPA from The Evergreen State College, a B.M. from the University of Houston, a Certified Fund Raising Executive certification from CFRE International, and lives by the motto, “Success is inevitable!”

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

Julie Brady is a strategic and empathetic leader with 20 years of event leadership, design, and marketing experience. As Assistant Vice President for University Events & Advancement Marketing at Seattle University, Julie is responsible for overseeing the university’s events program in addition to development and alumni marketing and communications. Known for developing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, Julie and her teams lead initiatives, communications, and high-impact events that foster purposeful constituent engagement though storytelling and stewardship. She has successfully organized and coached over 250 events, which have raised more than $35 million. 

Dr. Michael Bumbry has nearly 15 years of experience in higher education administration including careers in both student affairs and advancement. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Alumni Outreach and Engagement at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). In his current role, Dr. Bumbry manages a team of alumni directors who support the academic units, with a focus on strategic engagement and pipeline development. Prior to UCSD, he served as Director of Development at the Kogod School of Business at American University. Dr. Bumbry previously served in various development and student affairs roles at Johns Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Temple University, and North Carolina State University.

In addition to his full-time position at UCSD, Dr. Bumbry serves as Vice President of the American College Personnel Association- College Student Educators International (ACPA) Foundation Board. He has served on the faculty of two previous CASE Development for Deans and Academic Leaders conferences, and is the former Chair of the CASE Advancement Internship conference.

Dr. Bumbry holds a B.A. in broadcast communications from Elon University, an M.Ed. in higher education administration from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Loyola University Chicago.

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.