WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
11:15 a.m.
REGISTRATION OPENS (6th Floor Landing)
Noon – 1:15 p.m.
OPENING LUNCHEON & PROGRAM (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon H)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #1
THE MOST IMPORTANT AI TRENDS FOR UT
(Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon G)
Expert: Bob Pearson, Lecturer, UT Austin McCombs School; Chair, The Next Practices Group; CEO, The Bliss Group; Chair, Next Solutions Group
Moderator: Karen Adler, Director, Research Communications, UT Austin
(General Interest)
Hear about key AI trends that are reshaping how higher education and healthcare communicate. This session will explore insights compiled from 190+ countries, experiences from AI investors and entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley to Singapore, and practical knowledge of what is happening in the private and public sector to highlight trends and explore potential applications.
PASSING THE TORCH: REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF A NEW GENERATION OF PHILANTHROPISTS (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon I)
Experts: Meghan Davison, Senior Vice President, CSS Fundraising
Elizabeth Hormann, Senior Vice President, CSS Fundraising
Mary DeLay, Vice President, CSS Fundraising
Moderator: Amanda Billings, Vice President for Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center
(Philanthropy)
With over 80% of philanthropic dollars coming from individuals born before 1965, it's crucial to engage younger donors. This session will provide strategies to engage the next generation to cultivate major gifts for the future.
MAKE YOUR BOSS SHINE (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon F)
Expert: Andrew Barlow, Senior Counselor, Legend Labs
Moderator: Tatum Hubbard, Chief of Staff/VP of Marketing and Communications, UT Permian Basin
(Communications)
From event speeches and social media posts to employee communications and media interviews, the messages that come from an institution’s leader drive the success of the brand. Learn proven strategies and approaches to keep your institution’s executive leadership ahead of the communications curve in today’s ever-changing and never-ending news cycle.
LEADING THROUGH CHANGE (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon K)
Expert: Ben Golding, CEO, Advancement Resources
Moderator: Darrow Zeidenstein, Senior Vice President, Chief Philanthropy Officer, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
(Advancement Services/Philanthropy)
The ability to lead through change effectively is essential for you, your team and colleagues. We don’t always know what changes are coming and they arrive in many forms, including ending a long-held program, beginning new ones, new hires, new leaders, a new work process, or new goals. There is a proven process for understanding and managing change that builds successful teams. This interactive session provides those insights and tools and equips you to better manage change in the advancement and communication offices.
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #2
CAPITAL TO CAMPUS: LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES TO APPLY DURING THE SESSION AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon G)
Experts: David Beshear, President, The Beshear Group
Elyse Yates, President, The Digital Advance
Moderator: Joe Carpenter, Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, UT Arlington
(General Interest)
What happens during the legislative session and throughout the year requires timely communication with the public, campus community, alumni and donors. Gain insights to help communications and fundraising professionals prepare for the often complex and sometimes delicate messages required.
CAMPAIGN READINESS AND CAPACITY BUILDING (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon I)
Experts: Meghan Davison, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
Elizabeth Hormann, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
Mary DeLay, Vice President, CCS Fundraising
Moderator: Karl Miller, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement, UT San Antonio
(Advancement Services/Philanthropy)
Before embarking on a campaign, assess your team’s readiness and build the necessary infrastructure for success. Learn key steps for effective planning and execution. This session is designed for fundraisers and individuals responsible for campaign planning, execution and communications.
IT'S A TALENT: ATTRACTING AND KEEPING THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon F)
Expert: Deb Taft, CEO, Lindauer
Moderator: Marie Schultz, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, UT Arlington
(Philanthropy)
In today’s job market, the competition for high performing development talent is fierce. And turnover can be disruptive and costly. What can you do to recruit and keep top talent at your institution?
PAY TO PLAY: USING DIGITAL ADVERTISING TO GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT
(Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon K)
Experts: Jaclyn Corr, VP, Client Development, 16over90
Chris Ebmeyer, SVP/Director of Media Services, 16over90
Moderator: Heather Adkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, UT Health San Antonio
(Communications/Social Media)
Paid digital advertising ensures precise and timely message delivery. Learn tips for developing digital campaigns that fit any budget using social media platforms as well as other online applications like Spotify and YouTube.
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #3
HIGH TIDES RAISE ALL SHIPS: CREATING A HIGH TIDE OF ENGAGEMENT (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon G)
Expert: Ben Golding, CEO, Advancement Resources
Moderator: Kyle Edgington, Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations, UT Dallas
(Philanthropy)
Engaged constituents represent more than a fundraising opportunity. Through their enthusiasm, grassroots advocacy and potential for generating momentum, UT alumni, parents, patients and supporters have the collective power to equip a robust pipeline of support. Explore current trends and strategies to foster meaningful engagement across these diverse groups.
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: WE’RE RAISING MORE MONEY BUT HAVE FEWER DONORS (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon F)
Experts: Heather Cruz, Vice President/Consultant, Ruffalo Noel Levitz
Robin Bowlus, Vice President/Consultant, Ruffalo Noel Levitz
Moderator: Jill Still, Vice President for University Advancement, Stephen F. Austin
(Advancement Services/Philanthropy)
Over the last four years, overall giving to UT institutions increased nearly 24%, setting new records. But consistent with national trends, the number of donors has declined. Learn new approaches and insights to fundraisers and communicators on increasing both donors and giving.
PITCH PERFECT: BROADENING YOUR MEDIA COVERAGE (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon I)
Experts: Janet Lorin, Higher Education Finance Reporter, Bloomberg
Marcela Rodrigues, Education Reporter, The Dallas Morning News
Moderator: Paul Corliss, Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications, UT System
(Media Relations)
You’ve got an idea for a story you think deserves broad coverage. Now what? Hear from national media representatives about what often does—and doesn’t work—when vying for coverage, along with strategies for placing op-eds.
SOCIAL NORMS: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon K)
Experts: Elyse Yates, President, The Digital Advance
Riane Yates, Product Manager, The Digital Advance
Moderator: Nadia Whitehead, Assistant Vice President Media Relations, UT El Paso
(Social Media)
Almost everyone is on social media. But what platform they’re on varies widely in usage and impact. Gain tips for selecting the social media platforms that are most appropriate to the content you want to share and the audiences you want to engage.
5:00 p.m.
RECEPTION (Austin Grand Ballroom Foyer)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
7:15 a.m.
REGISTRATION OPENS (6th Floor Landing)
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
BREAKFAST AND ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon H)
- Chief Development Officers Working Breakfast (Room 616 AB)
- Chief Communications Officers Working Breakfast (Room 615 AB)
- Roundtable Discussions (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon H)
ADVANCEMENT SERVICES/PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLES
- Advancement Organizational and Management Issues
- Alumni Relations and Engagement
- Corporate Giving
- CRM Conversion
- Development Communications
- Endowment Compliance
- Grateful Patient and Family Programs
- Major and Principal Gifts
- Volunteer Management and Advisory Groups
COMMUNICATIONS ROUNDTABLES
- Media Relations
- Social Media Strategies
- Communicating Change to Internal and External Audiences
- Lessons Learned from Campus Unrest
- Executive Communications
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #4
THE FOUNDATION(S) OF GIVING (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon K)
Expert: Ashley Lomery, Consulting Director, Higher Education, Huron | GG+A Global Philanthropy
Moderator: Anamaria Repetti, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, UT Health San Antonio
(Philanthropy)
Nearly half of UT’s cash gifts come from personal, family and independent foundations. What can frontline gift officers and campus advancement leaders do to maintain or increase this important giving source? Learn how to strengthen this critical source of support and align your strategies with national trends.
YOU RECEIVED A GIFT: NOW WHAT? (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon G)
Experts: Josh Birkholz, CEO and Co-Owner, BWF
Bob Guittard, Executive Vice President, Engagement and Donor Experience, BWF
Moderator: Kevin Foyle, Senior Vice President, Development and Public Affairs, UTHealth Houston
(Advancement Services/Philanthropy)
An effective donor stewardship program energizes and recognizes donors, laying the path for ongoing engagement and subsequent gifts. Explore strategies and ideas to help you retain and elevate the involvement of donors and volunteers.
DON’T BRING ME DOWN: PROTECTING YOUR INSTITUTION’S GOOD REPUTATION (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon J)
Experts: Greta Hays, Senior Vice President, Higher Education, Edelman
Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President, Crisis and Risk, Edelman
Moderator: Stephen Hadley, Associate Vice President, Marketing and Media Communications, UT Medical Branch
(Media Relations/Social Media)
New issues that require nimble and strategic communications emerge every day. Preemptively plan for these inevitable issues by developing and deploying strategies to protect and enhance your institution’s reputation in the face of emerging challenges.
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS STATEGIES THAT WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon F)
Experts: Christine Rashman, Vice President, Pierpont Communications
Chris Ferris PhD, Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy, Pierpont Communications
Moderator: Meredith Raine, Associate Vice President, Public Affairs, UTHealth Houston
(Communications)
Strong digital strategies are crucial for successful public relations. Learn about research and technology that can help you develop and deploy digital communications strategies that impact the opinions of your audiences.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #5
TELL AND SHOW ME A STORY (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon G)
Experts: John Roberson, CEO, Advent
Chas Ellis, Senior Engagement Manager, Advent
Grace Johnson, Engagement Manager, Advent
Moderator: Patrick Gonzales, Vice President for University Marketing & Communications, UT Rio Grande Valley
(General Interest)
Discover a tech-forward approach to creating compelling stories that engage students, faculty, staff, alumni, athletics enthusiasts, donors, and sponsors. This session will offer tools for impactful storytelling and innovative recognition designs that keep your audience connected.
MODERN ADVANCEMENTS IN PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon K)
Experts: Josh Birkholz, CEO and Co-Owner, BWF
Catherine Flaatten, Associate Vice President of Prospect Development, BWF
Moderator: Jake Logan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, UT El Paso
(Advancement Services/Philanthropy)
Prospect development is essential to building lasting philanthropic relationships with donors and volunteers. What are the most effective emerging prospect development trends? This session will provide recommendations for implementing new tools and practices for building lasting donor relationships.
CREATING IMPACT THROUGH INTEGRATED MULTIMEDIA CONTENT (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon F)
Experts: Laura Hotten, Chief Creative Officer, Chief Digital Officer, talkStrategy
Tina Dunk, Director of Digital Medi, talkStrategy
Kristine Smith, Chief Strategy Officer, talkStrategy
Moderator: Lucas Roebuck, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, UT El Paso
(Communications/Social Media)
In today's fragmented media landscape, a siloed approach to content creation won't cut it. Discover how to develop strategic content that supports institutional goals, from recruitment to patient engagement, using compelling videos, images and interactive experiences.
ADVANCING THE FUTURE OF FUNDRAISING THROUGH AI (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon I)
Experts: Sarah Clough, Vice President for Philanthropy Insights & Analytics and Senior Consultant & Principal, Marts & Lundy
Moderator: James Gallo, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, UT Medical Branch
(Advancement Services/Philanthropy)
Data analytics plays a crucial role in enhancing fundraising performance, and AI can significantly help in optimizing time and resource allocation. Explore how AI can improve efficiency, shape the future of philanthropic programs and enhance donor engagement. Risk management strategies and considerations for those uncertain about AI's impact on fundraising will also be discussed.
11:45 a.m.
CHANCELLOR’S EXCELLENCE AWARDS LUNCHEON (Austin Grand Ballroom, Salon H)
Presenters: James B. Milliken, Chancellor
Randa S. Safady PhD, Vice Chancellor for External Relations, Communications and Advancement Services
1:30 p.m.
