Join members of the Ivy+ community for the 2024 Annual Giving Conference hosted by the Harvard College Fund. You will have the chance to network and learn alongside other annual giving colleagues.
Additional information about sessions, speakers, and event locations will be updated as they are confirmed.
Program
Monday, July 15
6:00–9:00 p.m.| Opening Night Reception at the Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy Street, Cambridge (Quincy Street entrance)
Wear your school spirit gear and join us for a reception at the Harvard Art Musuem. The galleries will be open from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for guests to enjoy. At 6:30, food and beverages will be served in the atrium. Registration and name tag-pickup will also be available at the museum.
Includes beer and wine, cheese board, satay station, salad bar, grilled flatbread station, Italian cookies, and cannoli. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available.
*The Harvard Art Museums are within walking distance of the Sheraton Commander Hotel. Transportation will be provided by request only.
Tuesday, July 16
8:30–9:00 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast
Sheraton Commander Hotel Lobby
Breakfast includes an assortment of bagels and breads with spreads, muffins, quiche, frittatas, overnight oats, coffee, tea, and juice. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available.
9:00–10:00 a.m. | Opening Session
Liberty Ballroom
Brian Lee, Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development, Harvard University
10:15–11:30 a.m. | Morning Session 1
*Please choose one session to attend
Participation: A Worth Goal or Arbitrary Metric?
Revolution Room
US News and World Report doesn’t care about participation, should we? What is the inherent value of broad participation, and is it worth the time and effort? Join us for a panel discussion covering the value (or lack thereof) of high participation rates, how annual giving programs are boosting participation, and what some schools are pursuing instead.
- Mitchell Bates, Director of the Stanford Fund, Stanford University
- Daniel Chermak, Senior Associate Director of Data Analysis and Operations, University of Pennsylvania
- Sarah Dumas, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Brown University
- Casey Lerner, Director of Annual Giving, the University of Chicago
Elevator Pitch for the Annual Fund
Liberty Ballroom
This discussion will provide insights into crafting short, persuasive pitches that showcase the value of donations to the annual fund. Attendees will gain tools and techniques through a workshop demonstrating how even modest gifts contribute to big changes.
- Hillary Casavant, Senior Associate Director of Content Strategy, FAS Development Communications, Harvard Alumni Affairs & Development, Harvard University
- Ruby Mae Christiansen, Associate Director, Class Giving, Stanford University
- Susan Kigamwa, Associate Director, Yale Alumni Fund, Yale University
- Emily Utset, Assistant Director, Class Giving, Columbia College Fund, Columbia University
Empowering Women in Philanthropy: Strategies, Success, and Lessons Learned
Independence Room
This panel will explore how three different institutions are actively engaging women in philanthropy. Our panelists will share their experiences, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Gain valuable insights into effective strategies for involving women in philanthropic activities and fostering a more inclusive approach to donor engagement.
- Stamie Despo, Executive Director, Leadership Annual Giving, Cornell University
- Thomas LaFalce, Director, Annual Fund Leadership Giving, Cornell University
- Kaylee Quanbeck, Associate Director, Class Giving, Columbia University
- Kelsey Trueblood, Senior Associate Director of Development, Harvard College Fund, Harvard University
Developing & Retaining Staff
Lexington/Concord Room
In this interactive session, managers will discuss staff development and retention and the challenges and opportunities they present.
- Becky Fassio, Managing Director of Development, Reunion Campaigns, Harvard College Fund, Harvard University
- Kevin R. Field, Director of Marketing and Donor Participation, The Penn Fund, University of Pennsylvania
- Jocelyn Kane, Managing Director, Yale Alumni Fund; Director, Leadership Giving, Yale University
11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Morning Session 2
Navigating Challenging and Complex Conversations
Liberty Ballroom
Hear stories of how senior staff/directors navigate complex conversations with volunteers and donors, with time for Q&A.
- Sue Walsh, Assistant Vice President, Annual Giving, Princeton University
- Emily Kernan, Executive Director, The Penn Fund, University of Pennsylvania
- Kristina Wilk, Associate Director, Annual Giving, Brown University
- Dara Wolkoff, Executive Director, Harvard College Fund, Harvard University
1:00–2:00 p.m. | Grab-and-Go Lunch
Revolution Ballroom
Includes salad and sandwich buffet with desserts. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available.
We encourage attendees to take their lunch to go, and enjoy all that Harvard's campus has to offer! Lunch totes and a campus map will be provided.
1:45–3:15 p.m. | Directors Session
Revolution Room
2:00–3:15 p.m. | Afternoon Session 1
*Please choose one session to attend
The Voice: Crafting Your Graduate School's Unique Fundraising Voice
Lexington/Concord Room
Join this conversation and discuss how to help graduate and professional school annual fund leaders craft messaging that resonates with their school’s donor population. How do larger, university voices influence this? What effect does a name change have on this voice? How do you engage alumni from various generations? These are just some of the key questions that will guide our discussions.
- Ashley Colabella, Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations, University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design
- Caitlin Beardsley, Deputy Director, Yale Graduate and Professional Schools Annual Giving
Volunteer Management: Best Practices and New Approaches
Liberty Ballroom
This panel discussion will highlight the tactics that Ivy+ volunteer managers are using to effectively recruit, engage, and communicate with fundraising volunteers. The session will explore both tried-and-true methods of volunteer management along with new ideas and approaches.
Panel Moderator: Kelley Held, Director of Class Giving, MIT
Speakers:
- Erin Brennan, Associate Director, MIT
- Lizzy Carroll, Director of Class Giving and Reunion Programs, University of Pennsylvania
- Sabrina Dumas, Program Manager Brown Annual Fund Initiatives and Marketing, Brown University
- Zorela Jimenez, Associate Director, Princeton University
- Ana Mirovic, Assistant Director, Harvard University
Career Paths and Pivots: Professional Growth in Advancement
Independence Room
Learn about the individual professional journeys of some of today’s Ivy+ leaders. Panelists will discuss obstacles, opportunities, and strategies for maximizing your current position while unpacking some of the mysteries behind job titles, roles, and responsibilities.
- Tommy Bergstrom, Senior Class Giving Director, The Penn Fund
- Christine Davenport, Recruiter, MIT
- Will Freske, Deputy Director, Yale Alumni Fund
3:30–4:30 p.m. | Afternoon Session 2
Guided tours of Harvard campus provided by current Harvard College undergraduates.
Tour groups will depart after a short break. Please meet in the lobby of the Sheraton for the tours.
6:00–9:00 p.m. | Bowling & Bites at Kings Back Bay
Kings Dining & Entertainment, 50 Dalton Street, Boston Massachusetts 02115
Includes a full open bar, passed appetizers, a sliders selection, and salad. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available.
Shuttles will leave the Sheraton at 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. Return shuttles to the hotel will be available at 9:00 and 9:15 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17
8:30–9:00 a.m. | Breakfast
Revolution Ballroom
Breakfast will include an assortment of bagels and breads with spreads, yogurt, granola, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, tea, and juices. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available.
9:00–10:15 a.m. | Morning Session 1
*Please choose one session to attend
Engaging Prospects with Open-Ended Questions
Independence Room
Learn how to use open-ended questions to uncover philanthropic passions and motivate engagement. Gain strategies for linking volunteer and donor interests to your mission. Please come prepared with at least one anonymized prospect or volunteer whose strategic approach you would like to discuss.
- Ashley Myers, Senior Associate Director, Young Alumni Philanthropy, The Penn Fund, University of Pennsylvania
- Kate Osterman, Managing Director, Reunion Campaigns, Harvard College Fund, Harvard University
- Amanda Talbot, Senior Leadership Giving Officer, Annual Fund, Brown University
Building Inclusive Alumni Communities: Strategic Outreach and Engagement
Liberty Ballroom
Learn strategies to cultivate a diverse and representative alumni community and donor base. This session will provide practical insights into targeted outreach, inclusive philanthropic strategies, leveraging partnerships, and offering flexible volunteer opportunities to engage graduates from all backgrounds and identities.
- Davonna Approvato, Assistant Director, Yale College Alumni Fund
- Teal Butterworth, Co–Executive Director, Annual Giving, Brown University
Changing Priorities within Student and Young Alumni Populations
Lexington/Concord Room
Join us for small-group discussions about the recent shift in how current students and young alumni view giving–especially to large institutions. We’ll focus on changes the Ivy+ schools are seeing, as well as the innovative solutions schools are employing.
- Claire Bergsten, Assistant Director of Student Philanthropy, University of Pennsylvania
- Jessica Falco, Assistant Director, Columbia College Fund, Columbia University
- Maggie Kyros, Associate Director, Class Giving, MIT10
- Emma Kirby, Assistant Director Recent Graduate Giving, Stanford University
- Casey Lerner, Director of Annual Giving, The University of Chicago
- Jessi Samuel, Class Giving Officer, Brown University
10:30–11:45 a.m. | Closing Session
Moving Forward Together: Reengaging Donors and Volunteers
Liberty Ballroom
Over the past year, higher education has faced unprecedented challenges that impacted donor and volunteer support. In this interactive session, we will explore how to reengage those vital partners as we look to the future.
- Abby Fischer, Associate Director, Harvard College Fund, Harvard University
- Sue Grosel, MIT Executive Director, Annual Giving
- Mara Henckler, Executive Director, Columbia College Fund, Interim Executive Director, College Alumni Relations
- Emily Kernan, Executive Director, The Penn Fund, University of Pennsylvania
- Liz Sapia, Associate Director, Harvard College Fund, Harvard University
Noon | Grab-and-Go Lunch
Revolution Room
Includes a variety of grab-and-go salad and sandwich options that include chips and a dessert. Vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available.
If you have questions, please contact the Harvard Events Office at aad_events@harvard.edu.