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.

Brian J. Elizardi is an award-winning marketing director, brand storyteller and curator of craft experiences with over 15 years of experience in higher education orchestrating the start-up, growth, and optimization of diverse teams and enterprises responsible for generating complex marketing campaigns, creative engagement programs, and innovative brand identities and platforms.

As a seasoned marketing and events leader, he is reputable for elevating key brand pillars into top engagement-generating platforms, including the Crimson & Gold Trail that was recognized by CASE as a 2020 Circle of Excellence Grand Gold winner for innovative alumni relations and marketing program.

Brian currently serves as the Director of Alumni Engagement at the University of Denver, where he spends his days taking big ideas and bringing them to life—all through activating high performing teams, telling immersive stories of impact, and curating memorable experiences for constituents.

Jenn Robinson is assistant vice president of advancement initiatives and engagement at George Mason University, where she oversees engagement, cultivation and stewardship events for donors and volunteers, serves as liaison to the Office of the President and manages Mason's National Leadership Council.

She joined Mason's advancement team in July 2010 as the campaign programs assistant. Since then she has served as the assistant director of donor relations, associate director of special events and director of advancement programs.

Prior to her work at Mason, she was the community relations coordinator for her state senator where she was responsible for fundraising and stewardship events, as well as outreach to and stewardship of donors and volunteers. She has also worked in the fields of telecommunications law and credit card banking.

Meg Umlas is the director of campaign and development events at Boston University. She is responsible for creating and producing the university's highest-level events for donors and prospects. Prior to creating this department in October 2011, she served as executive director of alumni relations at BU, a post she held for more than 12 years.

Prior to her work at Boston University, Umlas served as associate director of alumni relations at her undergraduate alma mater, Syracuse University. In her pre-university advancement life, she worked for the American Cancer Society as unit director of Central Boston and worked in media for Capital Cities/ABC Television.

She holds a master's degree in organizational policy from Boston University and a dual bachelor's degree in television, radio and film/marketing from Syracuse University.