Correan Barker is a dynamic advancement leader with a career spanning a decade in higher education. Throughout his distinguished career, Correan has consistently demonstrated a passion for harnessing philanthropy to drive equitable access to education, the visual and performing arts, and social services.

As the Director of Strategic Engagement at The Evergreen State College, Correan sets the vision and strategies to fortify relationships with constituents. He 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. Under his leadership, Correan oversees an Engagement Team responsible for delivering impactful alumni programs, annual giving, stewardship, philanthropic communications, and special events. Most recently, Correan successfully led the public launch of Evergreen’s inaugural comprehensive campaign, Forever Green, which concludes June 30, 2024. Currently, he is leading the final campaign community phase and preparations for closing engagement and celebrations through 2025.

A firm believer in centering humanity, authenticity, and creativity at the heart of an organization, Correan leverages systems thinking and data-driven processes that evaluate and enhance collaboration and organizational effectiveness. As a leader, speaker, and advocate, Correan aspires to leave an indelible mark on the advancement profession, inspiring positive change and shaping a future where access to education and cultural enrichment are truly universal.

Correan holds a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College, a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Houston, and lives by the motto, “Success is inevitable!”

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.

As Associate Vice-President, Alumni Relations, Temi is responsible for the vision, planning, and implementation of alumni engagement strategy for Western University. Western Alumni comprise over 328,000 living alumni in 161 countries worldwide. The Alumni Relations team produces over 150 events annually including local and international events as well as virtual and live events at all levels of complexity and serving diverse constituent groups.

With over 15 years dedicated to advancement and alumni relations, Temi’s experience also includes alumni program strategy and inclusive community building, careers and virtual programming, change management and engagement metrics.

Kelly leads the Strategic Engagement team at Colorado State University.  The 11 person team works both centrally and with an array of campus partners to develop cross-functional communications, event and donor relations strategies to holistically engage donors and alumni across a variety of segments and channels. Kelly is passionate about the guest experience, data-driven decision making, efficiency, innovation and storytelling. She draws on her 20 years of varied and eclectic experience in hospitality, operations, membership and experience design to approach challenges with a customized lens. Kelly earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her MBA from Colorado State University.

Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED is a passionate events professional who specializes in nonprofit and advancement events. She applies over 15 years’ experience in event planning to help Drexel University create engaging and impactful experiences for their global alumni network. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Special Events for Alumni Relations specializing in signature events and engagement. A believer is purposeful and mission driven events, Devon leverages design thinking and empathy driven systems to design events that maximize impact and support for Drexel University.  

Prior to applying her skills in Higher Ed, Devon worked on notable special events around the Philadelphia region including work for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Waterworks, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.  

Devon has been a featured speaker and volunteer for CASE and has been recognized for her passion in elevating the importance of events in Advancement. Devon holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College in Music and B.S. from Drexel University in Culinary Arts and Event Planning. Devon earned her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification from the Events Industry Council in 2020 and a CED (Certified Event Designer) designation from the Events Design Collective in 2021. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Creativity and Innovation from Drexel University’s School of Education and is an adjunct professor for Drexel’s Hospitality Management program.