Alumless

People and culture-focused engagement with Jeff Williams

On this week’s Alumless, Chris and Ryan welcome Jeff Williams, Assistant Vice President for People and Engagement at the University of Maryland, for a conversation focused on the internal dynamics of advancement work. With a role that blends talent development, team culture, and stakeholder engagement, Jeff offers a unique perspective on how investing in people directly influences external engagement success.The conversation explores Jeff’s first year in the role and strategies for building a high-performing culture. Jeff also discusses how internal partnerships and professional development can help advancement shops retain top talent and create more integrated approaches to alumni and donor engagement.Subscribe to Alumless for the extended podcast conversation, including our 30-minute bonus segment with Jeff, and special thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about the technology that helped LSE and Northwestern win CASE awards in 2024.

Shared goals for alumni and annual giving with Sean Devendorf

In this episode of Alumless, hosts Ryan and Chris are joined by Sean Devendorf, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Tufts University, for a conversation on aligning alumni engagement and annual giving teams to drive more efficient and effective advancement outcomes.Sean shares his experience leading this integration at Tufts, reflecting on the early challenges, lessons learned, and the tangible benefits of uniting two traditionally siloed areas under a common strategy. The conversation explores how restructuring, goal-setting, and shared metrics have helped his team work more collaboratively.This episode offers insights for advancement leaders looking to build a more integrated model and reimagine how engagement and philanthropy can work hand in hand. Subscribe to the Alumless podcast for the extended bonus segment with Sean, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com.

Alumni as an engagement constituency with Gina Yazzolino

In this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris are joined by Gina Yazzolino, Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement at the University of Portland, for a conversation about how engagement strategy is evolving to include more than just alumni. Gina shares insights from her work building a constituent engagement team that casts a broader net.
Our conversation explores how Gina and her team are working to align engagement with fundraising and integrate engagement into a unified advancement model. Gina also discusses the challenges of cultural change, the role of strategic communications, and how institutions can bridge long-standing gaps between engagement and development work.
Subscribe to Alumless for the extended podcast conversation, and thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about their unique technology that helps alumni teams scale volunteerism. 

Innovation strategies in advancement with Davy Norris

In this episode of Alumless, Chris Marshall and Nicole Kempton explore the growing intersection of innovation and university advancement with Dr. Davy Norris, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Advancement and CEO of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Louisiana Tech recently made a bold move by merging its Innovation Enterprise with University Advancement, a strategic shift that positions alumni, research, and economic development at the heart of institutional growth.
Davy shares what prompted this integration, how it aligns with Louisiana Tech’s mission, and what it means for philanthropy, industry partnerships, and alumni engagement. The conversation dives into the future of alumni participation in innovation, the role of advancement in supporting research commercialization, and how this model could reshape regional economic development.
This episode provides key insights for institutions rethinking how advancement and innovation can work together to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni.
Subscribe to Alumless to hear the extended podcast conversation, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for details on their events-and-all technology.

Managing up, down, all-around with Sarah Kathryn Ricci

In our next episode of Alumless, we welcome Sarah Kathryn Ricci, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Baylor University, for a conversation on management and leadership in university advancement. In this episode, "Managing Up, Down, All-Around," we explore the challenges of leading teams, collaborating across departments, and engaging alumni volunteers.Sarah Kathryn shares strategies for balancing engagement and fundraising, navigating internal partnerships, and motivating staff and volunteers. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned manager, this episode offers practical insights into what it takes to succeed in advanced leadership. A big thanks to our presenting sponsor, Protopia, for their continued support. Find out more about the technology that’s turning heads and winning CASE awards! Visit protopia.co/alumless for details.
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Friday Cheers:
Ryan: 10 Proven Methods for Real Learning

Engagement that pays dividends with Paul Clifford

In this episode of Alumless, Ryan Catherwood and Chris Marshall explore how alumni associations can generate new revenue streams while continuing to build strong engagement. With traditional revenue sources like affinity partnerships and membership dues fading, alumni professionals are being challenged to innovate and adapt in ways that align with their mission.Joining the conversation is Paul Clifford, CMAC’s newest Senior Consultant and former CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association. Paul shares his insights from decades of experience leading alumni engagement efforts at major institutions, reflecting on the balance between revenue generation and relationship-building. The discussion covers creative funding models, the shifting priorities of alumni leaders, and strategies for testing new ideas without compromising engagement goals.Tune in for an in-depth look at how institutions can navigate this new era of advancement, ensuring alumni engagement efforts remain impactful while also being financially sustainable. Subscribe to Alumless to catch the full conversation, including our exclusive podcast-only bonus segment with Paul.A special thanks to AlumniQ for supporting Alumless as our presenting sponsor. Check out the events and the technology everyone is talking about at alumniq.com.
 
Ryan's Friday Cheers - Alumni Sign Letter of Complaint After Vought Controversy (Wheaton College)

BONUS! Alumless World - Advocacy on behalf of advancement

Subscribe to Alumless World on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton explore the evolving landscape of alumni engagement and advancement with Mandy McFarland, Executive Officer at Educate Plus. Mandy shares how Educate Plus is expanding its membership across Australasia, providing vital resources for institutions looking to strengthen their advancement strategies. She also discusses the importance of advocacy, highlighting how the organization educates institutional leaders about the value of alumni relations, fundraising, and marketing teams.
Listeners will hear how international and boarding schools navigate the challenges of transient student populations, ensuring long-term alumni engagement and successful philanthropy programs. Mandy will reflect on her own journey in advancement, from her early career in South Africa to leadership roles in Australia, emphasizing the impact of professional networks and mentorship in the industry.
This episode offers a global perspective on alumni engagement, with actionable insights for advancement professionals worldwide. Alumless World airs every other Friday at 11:30 a.m. GMT, alternating weeks with Alumless. Subscribe to the podcast to hear the entire conversation, including an extended segment with Mandy. 
Special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode!Show notes & Friday CheersThe Generations Defined - McCrindleA June of Ordinary Murders by Conor Brady
Holly Ransom on LinkedIn
Inga Peterson, GRIT coach on LinkedIn

Volunteerism within engagement with Cindy Fredrick

On this episode of Alumless, Cindy Fredrick, Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement at the University of Virginia, joins us to discuss the crucial role that volunteers play in engagement and philanthropy. With over 5,000 volunteers involved in UVA Advancement’s efforts, Cindy brings her expertise in scaling volunteer programs, stewarding alumni, and maximizing their impact on the conversation.
We dive into how volunteerism in advancement has evolved over the years and discuss best practices for engaging and stewarding alumni, faculty, and parent-family volunteers. Cindy shares insights on innovative engagement strategies beyond event-based participation and explains how institutions can cultivate a volunteer pipeline that moves supporters from small commitments to high-impact leadership roles.
Thanks to Protopia for supporting Alumless. For more information about their AI-powered technology that’s helped schools like LSE and Northwestern win CASE awards in 2024, visit protopia.co/alumless.