Faculty
Conference Chair
Skylar Beaver
Skylar Beaver is the Assistant Director of Advancement at The Lawrenceville School, where she spearheads annual giving campaigns and oversees alumni and family engagement, donor relations, stewardship, and advancement services. With a strong global perspective, she also leads international fundraising initiatives. Her extensive experience spans 16 years in the development field, including leadership roles at The Spence School, Washington and Lee University, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
A respected voice in the industry, Skylar is a frequent presenter with CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), a past chair of STAFF (Sharing the Annual Fund Fundamentals), and chairs NEAGC (Northeast Annual Giving Conference). Her exceptional contributions have earned her accolades, including the 2023 Diane Thompson Award for Excellence in Annual Giving from NEAGC, a CASE Crystal Apple Award for outstanding speaking, and the distinguished CASE Laureate honor.
Skylar holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a Master's in Nonprofit Management from SUNY Brockport.
Faculty
Ayanna McConnell
Ayanna McConnell has been named the Acting President and CEO of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. McConnell, who has served as the Alumni Association’s vice president for university relations since 2021, has more than 20 years of experience leading student alumni programs at U-M and Eastern Michigan University. She first joined the Association in 2011 to design the student community for the LEAD Scholars program.
In her role as vice president for university relations, McConnell has overseen all aspects of the Association’s university relations, student, and development programs. She has also led the Association’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice strategic initiatives.
Ayanna has presented locally and nationally on alumni/donor engagement, diversity and inclusion, mentoring and networking, and is an active CASE District V volunteer. A lifelong learner, Ayanna concluded her formal academic journey with a graduate degree in Higher Ed/Student Affairs at Eastern Michigan University. She serves communities in Southeastern Michigan through multiple service organizations, and resides with her family in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Chauncey Walker
Chauncey Walker is the External Relations Specialist for the Georgia Institute of Technology. Chauncey works within the Ivan Allen Liberal Arts college and manages alumni engagement and community outreach. In this role she is responsible for implementing strategic initiatives that increase opportunities for alumni to engage with the college and the institution’s, schools and units.She represents the college to foster relationships with internal and external partners to build and strengthen community.
In her previous role, Chauncey served as the Assistant Director of constituent relations at Georgia State University Alumni Association. She was responsible for advising alumni affinity networks; including corporate, regional, special interests, and the Young Alumni Council. She produced professional and social-focused events, both virtual and in-person, to engage Georgia State’s more than 200,000 alumni.
Chauncey has served in several events and people management roles with Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Bloc south Talent Agency. She earned her Master’s degree in Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development from the University of Georgia and attended Georgia State University for a Bachelor's in Arts degree.