Tahsin I. Alam is Associate Dean of Advancement for the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington in Seattle. He serves as a member of the Foster Advisor Board and is part of the Dean’s senior leadership team and University Advancement’s Executive Leadership Team.

A higher education advancement industry veteran with over 17 years of experience in Presidential and Advancement professional searches, Mr. Alam began his career as an Associate with Isaacson Miller, a Boston-based national search firm. After eight years of working with the development and alumni relations search practice, Mr. Alam went on to become a Managing Associate with the Nonprofit Professional Advisory Group (NPAG), a boutique consulting firm with clients across the nonprofit sector. Here he served as a partner for the development and communications search practice, where in four years, the practice grew from inception to the most profitable practice at the firm. Tahsin has also conducted Presidential, Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Student level searches.

At the Rutgers University Foundation, Tahsin served as the Vice President for Advancement Services and Talent Management. He oversaw 70 employees across the departments of Talent Management, Donor Relations, Stewardship, Prospect Research, Prospect Management, Board Relations and Campaign Operations. His expertise is people and operational dynamics with a strong focus on data driven decision making and measurable outcomes. Mr. Alam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics, Economics and Theater from Bates College and a Master’s in Organizational Communications from Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information. He is a native of Bangladesh.

Jamie Blubaugh is a Prime Power Electrician for Boeing, working for the last 6 years to broaden his leadership through his interactions with his peers and supervisors.  In 2017 he retired a U.S. Navy Chief, dedicating 21 years to operating and maintain nuclear reactors on board aircraft carriers. As the number one ranked chief at the Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa NY, Jamie oversaw a crew of 35 staff in the training of up to 120 student sailors and future nuclear operators.  A native of Iowa, he found a desire to pursue his degree post-retirement, finally he became a Hawkeye at the University of Iowa, completing his Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Leadership Studies in 2021 and in the position to complete his Master of Business Administration in July.

With nearly 10 years of experience in educational and nonprofit fundraising, Jessica has led programs at The University of Pennsylvania and Books in Homes USA. On The Penn Fund team, Jessica leads the Young Alumni and Student Philanthropy in developing and implementing strategy to increase young alumni and student donors and dollars. Her other experience includes work with Programs Employing People, Restorative Practices in Action, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She holds a B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Temple University and an M.A. in Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Brinton is a higher education professional with more than 16 years of experience working in advancement, academic affairs, student affairs, and athletics. He currently works at the University of Washington as the Director for Advancement for the Division of Student Life. In his role he helps lead advancement efforts in support of student access, diversity and success across more than 15 units in the division. Matthew holds a BS in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), an MA in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Development from the University of Denver and a PhD in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from UNC.

Anissa Brockington, Ed.D., serves as the Senior Director of People and Culture at the University of Washington.  She and her team lead the recruitment, retention, and support for over 600 advancement professionals with a focus on people-centered partnerships aligned with the mission, vision, and values of UW University Advancement.

Dr. Brockington’s career in education began as a teacher in 1994.  Since then, she has held leadership positions in the fields of recruitment, training, and human resources for a variety of industries including the Polk County School Board serving 164 schools and 100,000+ students.

Dr. Brockington holds a bachelor’s degree of science in Elementary Education and Teaching from Bethune-Cookman University, a master’s degree in Management & Administration of Ed Programs from Nova Southeastern University, and a doctorate of education in Curriculum and Instruction from Southeastern University.

As a higher educational professional with expertise in student success and alumni engagement, Krysta leads career education efforts in Lyman Briggs College (LBC), a small, science-focused residential college on Michigan State University’s campus. Through strategic collaboration, and with a keen focus on inclusivity and equitable engagement, Krysta has created and implemented innovative programming both in and out of the classroom, identifying opportunities to combine resources and networks with campus partners in a way that supports student success. Most recently, her endeavors have included developing short and long-term alumni mentorship programs, primarily for pre-med and science students, as well as implementing career education into the core science curriculum. This work places a significant emphasis on improving access to career resources and mentorship for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. In addition to creating and executing these programs, Krysta co-leads a research team which seeks to better understand how incorporating career education into the core curriculum impacts students’ sense of self-efficacy, STEM Identity, and sense of belonging, all of which contribute to retention. 

A first-generation college student, Krysta understands just how challenging the collegiate terrain can be; through her work she aims to continue creating and implementing programs and initiatives that help more students successfully navigate the higher education environment by focusing on purpose-driven work.

Giuliana is a classically trained violist who has dedicated her career to the advancement of music education for today and tomorrow's diverse students. She currently works as the Director of Operations and Equity at Music Workshop, a Portland based non-profit in music education. She grew up in northern California and attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree with honors in Music. After graduating she then taught elementary general music and orchestra for five years where she designed a curriculum for her students which helped them learn about music from around the world and across U.S. history. She returned to school in 2015 to better understand the intersections of music listening, global music, culture, identity, and equity in the public music classroom. 

Giuliana graduated in 2017 with her MA in music education from the University of Washington where she is completing her PhD in a few months. When she started at the UW as a graduate student she also joined the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) representing the School of Music as a Senator. She served two years as Senator after which she was elected Secretary of GPSS for a year, and then elected and re-elected President for two years. As President of GPSS Giuliana represented her more than 17,000 graduate and professional student colleagues. She worked regularly with university administrators, sat on 10+ campus boards and committees, advocated in Olympia and D.C. as a registered lobbyist, worked with campus partners and departments to best support grad students, and worked internally to stabilize and grow the organization as a representative body. During her final year of Presidency, she was also elected PV of Graduate and Professional Affairs for the Washington Students' Association wherein she represented all graduate students in the state of Washington. She has continued to advise GPSS and new Presidents since her departure in June 2020. She welcomes opportunities to speak about issues that face graduate students.

Sarah works to engage and grow the Michigan State alumni network within Lyman Briggs College through strategic collaboration, thoughtful networking and special events. She partners with the University Alumni Office to further the mission of Lyman Briggs and coordinate a wide range of engagement opportunities for Briggs alumni. Sarah's desire is to create a culture of lifelong connections that span the student continuum and are sustained into the early alumni years. She also hopes to create a culture of volunteerism that will inspire, engage, and connect alumni to the university and to each other. Sarah is passionate about creating meaningful alumni experiences and looks forward to the joy that comes when bringing alumni back to their alma mater.

Jessica Lee is the Program Manager for Student Engagement with the University of Maryland Alumni Association and has worked professionally at the University of Maryland College Park for over a decade. In her current role, she advises the Student Alumni Leadership Council, a student ambassador organization that aims to connect students with alumni, and collaborates with many units across campus to connect Terps across generations. Through the creation, execution and evaluation of various programs and initiatives, she strives to engage every student from day one, instill a culture of giving back and cultivate relationships between students and alums and beyond. 

Prior to working in University Relations, she served as the Coordinator for Student Engagement in the Gemstone Honors Program and as the House Director for Delta Gamma. Jessica is a proud double Terp alumna, receiving her B.S. in Neurobiology and M.Ed in Student Affairs, both at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Sydney is a dual citizen, California grown and proud double Boise State graduate. Completing her Bachelor's in Organizational Communication, Public Relations and Leadership and her Master's in Educational Leadership, the majority of her experience has been in the Division of Student Affairs in the Undergraduate Admissions Office focusing on recruitment and enrollment of the University. From large scale recruitment events, virtual programming, customer service, recruitment strategy and beyond. Most recently she was responsible for orchestrating and executing all campus visit programs, student staff and development and led the customer service team. She has also worked in development for organizations in the past such as St. Luke's Health Foundation and Make A Wish Idaho. 

Now, as the Director of Student and Recent Graduate programs, she is responsible for the overall strategic planning and coordination of programs that connect future students, current students, alumni association scholarship recipients, and recent graduates to the Boise State Alumni Association and Boise State University, ensuring that these alumni will become and remain engaged with the university and support the university as volunteers and donors. Sydney has diverse experiences from recruitment and enrollment to stewardship and advising and board volunteerism across higher education and beyond and is excited to share what she has learned in her role and gain new ideas for the future.

Ashley Myers has worked in the non-profit sector for nearly 7 years and has experience in many areas including campaign and fundraising strategy, foundation operations, and prospect research. On The Penn Fund team, Ashley focuses on ways to increase young alumni participatory giving through frontline fundraising, event management, and engaging a diverse group of volunteers. In addition, Ashley is on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter and has previously served on the grant-review committee for The Spruce Foundation. She holds a BA in Journalism from Temple University.

Since 2009, Paul has served as senior alumni relations administrator at the University of Washington (UW), one of the world’s leading public research universities with 60,000 students on three campuses, 25,000 faculty and staff and more than 525,000 alumni worldwide.  As vice president for alumni and stakeholder engagement, Paul also serves as executive director of the UW Alumni Association, an independent 130-year non-profit organization committed to advancing higher education in the State of Washington and supporting the UW. Paul is a member of the UW President’s Cabinet and the Executive Team for University Advancement, which administers the institution’s philanthropic, marketing and communications, and engagement programs and services. In 2020, the UW successfully completed Be Boundless — For Washington, for the World, its ambitious $6.3 billion campaign to transform the student experience, drive public good, expand impact and empower innovation.

From 1992 to 2004, Paul served in student affairs and workforce development leadership roles at Washington community and technical colleges, specializing in international education and development programs and services. Paul is the founding director the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA), one of the nation’s leading community college study/teach abroad programs. 

Paul is a long-time volunteer for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), having served as a Trustee and member of the Council for US and Canada. Paul has also served on the Board of Directors of the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE).  He is a recipient of the CASE VIII 2020 Distinguished Service Award and is a frequent speaker on the strategic integration of alumni relations in higher education and alumni legislative advocacy program administration.  Paul earned his Master of Public Administration at the UW’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and his undergraduate degree at the UW’s School of Communications.    

J. Njeri Thande, '19 is a graduate of the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. She serves on the UW GOLD council because the relationships she developed at UW have been some of the most enriching to her and her work. She hopes to support the new GOLDs in finding a welcoming network and community. She currently works as a Senior Project Manager supporting cross-industry client work, and previously was supporting a diversity pipeline program in tech.  In her spare time she enjoys exploring Washington state by bike, finding new restaurants to experience, and new recipes to make.  She also serves as a UW District Dawg, advocating for the UW community and higher education.