Graduway Fundraising Academy

Reserve Your Spot

May 17-18, 2022
8AM-3PM PST | 11AM-6PM EST | 4PM-11PM BST

Day 1 Schedule

Time: 8:00 – 8:10

Topic: Welcome to GFA 2022: Day One

Speakers:

Daniel Cohen CEO of Graduway

Time: 8:10 – 8:40

Topic: How to Leverage Challenge Gifts for Giving Day

Speakers:

Francisco Peguero Associate Director Of Annual Giving, Boston University
James Trubiano Assistant Director, Student Philanthropy, Boston University

Time: 8:45 – 9:15

Topic: Tips On How to Advocate for New Fundraising Technology

Speakers:

Jeff Neal, Assistant Vice President, Digital Engagement & Annual Giving, Loyola University Chicago
Astria Smith Senior Executive Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Southern Methodist University

Time: 9:20 – 9:50

Topic: Post-Campaign Reporting: How and To Whom?

Speakers:

Mariana Herrera Assistant Director, Direct Marketing and Columbia Giving Day Initiatives, Columbia University
Tracy Krentzman Director Of Annual Giving, Villanova University

Time: 10:10 – 10:40

Topic: Strategies on Leveraging Behavioral Data After Giving Day

Speakers:

Julie Knight Executive Director, Annual Giving, Carnegie Mellon University
Heather Duiser Executive Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Services, University of Georgia

Time: 10:45 – 11:15

Topic: Tips for Building Trust and Strategy with Campus Partners

Speakers:

Kate Post Manager of Strategic Communications and Annual Giving, California State University, Chico
Caitlin Baumann Donor Engagement Officer, California State University, Chico

Time: 11:20 – 11:50

Topic: Creating Personalized Solicitations

Speakers:

Melissa Vogt Director, Annual Giving, Seattle Pacific University
Jake Strang Assistant Vice Chancellor, Alumni Annual Giving, University of Pittsburgh
Danielle Buchanan Director of Annual Giving, Birmingham-Southern College

Time: 11:55 – 12:25

Topic: Email Open Rates are Important, but Let’s Talk About Additional
KPIs

Speakers:

Julie Knight Executive Director, Annual Giving, Carnegie Mellon University
Jake Strang Assistant Vice Chancellor, Alumni Annual Giving, University of Pittsburgh
Claire Brandon Director of Digital Engagement, Oklahoma University Foundation

Time: 12:30 – 1:00

Topic: Giving Day Ambassador Tips

Speakers:

Matt Hunt Director of Leadership Giving Programs, Southern Methodist University

Time: 1:05 – 1:35

Topic: Building Your Leadership and Major Gift Pipeline

Speakers:

Danny Yanez Associate Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, St. Thomas University
Kelly DeGregorio Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Boston College High School
Jana Cupp Director of Alumni Relations at Brandman University, University of Massachusetts Global
Vicky Wong Director of Research and Advancement Information Systems, University School

Time: 1:40 – 2:10

Topic: Grateful Patient Fundraising and Pipeline Innovation

Speakers:

Lori Sweeney Regional Director, Principal Gifts and Capital Campaigns, Providence Health

Time: 2:15 – 2:45

Topic: Social Media and Email Best Practices

Speakers:

Brynn Merritt Director of Marketing, Enrollment Management, DePaul Catholic High School
Claire Brandon Director of Digital Engagement, Oklahoma University Foundation
Meghan Rajski Director of Annual Giving, Fairfield University
Alex Stoops Director of Strategy and Planning, Southern Methodist University

Time: 2:50 – 3:20

Topic: 5-Minute Fundraising Hot Topics

Speakers:

Jeff Neal Assistant Vice President, Digital Engagement & Annual Giving,Loyola University Chicago
Monica Ellis Assistant Vice President, Lifetime Engagement, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Irene Elias Stewardship Manager, The Juilliard School Institute

Day 2 Schedule

Time: 8:00 – 8:10

Topic: Welcome to GFA 2022: Day Two

Speakers:

Will Trapp CEO of Gratavid

Time: 8:10 – 8:40

Topic: Let’s Talk About UK Fundraising

Speakers:

Tara George Development & Alumni Engagement Director, St Benedict’s School
Millie Papworth Senior Development Officer, The Leys School
Erin Charles Head of Development, Perse School

Time: 8:45 – 9:15

Topic: How to Inspire Principal Gift Prospects

Speakers:

Rick Henderson Chief Advancement Officer, Canterbury School
Amy Noah Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, University of Oklahoma

Time: 9:20 – 9:50

Topic: Tips on How to Improve Your Giving Day

Speakers:

Bob Amico Executive Director for Annual Giving, University of Oklahoma
Monica Ellis Assistant Vice President, Lifetime Engagement, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Daniel Benvenuto Director, Annual Fund Programs, Columbia University
Cheryl Morris Associate Director, Digital Fundraising, Villanova University

Time: 10:10 – 10:40

Topic: How to Build a New Digital Initiative

Speakers:

John Grice Associate Vice President of Annual Giving, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
Jennifer Gamache Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving, North Eastern University
Kyle Carter Director, Annual Giving, Jesuit High School

Time: 10:45 – 11:15

Topic: How to Build Your Brand as a Fundraising Leader

Speakers:

Erika Jordan Vice President, Alumni Engagement, Boston University
John Grice Associate Vice President of Annual Giving, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association
Chris Biehn Vice President For Institutional Advancement, St. John Fisher College

Time: 11:20 – 11:50

Topic: Never Done A Giving Day? Top Things To Know Before You Start! (K12)

Speakers:

Wendy Chang Executive Director, Foundation for Maryknoll/Director of Institutional Advancement, Maryknoll School
Sabrina Mau Annual Giving Officer, Maryknoll School
Lara Grimm Advancement Services Manager, Maryknoll School

Time: 11:55 – 12:25

Topic: Never Done A Giving Day? Top Things To Know Before You Start! (Higher Ed.)

Speakers:

Marci Paton Executive Director, Annual Giving, Villanova University
Jenny Nathan Simoneaux Executive Director, Annual and Leadership Giving, Tulane University

Time: 12:30 – 1:00

Topic: Faculty and Staff Giving Strategies

Speakers:

Elizabeth Hilpipre Associate Director of Digital Fundraising & Engagement, Creighton University
Astria Smith Senior Executive Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Southern Methodist University
Jennifer Gamache Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving, Northeastern University
Sergio Lopez Director, Annual Giving Strategies, Santa Clara University

Time: 1:05 – 1:35

Topic: Crowdfunding Tips and Best Practices

Speakers:

Lindsay Roth Director of Direct Marketing & Participation, Brandeis University

Time: 1:40 – 2:10

Topic: Student Engagement and Giving Strategies

Speakers:

Carolyn Shields Assistant Director, Alumni Relations/Annual Fund, Xavier University
Jennifer Gamache Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving, Northeastern University

Time: 2:15 – 2:45

Topic: Top Tips for Growing Your Fundraising Volunteer Program

Speakers:

Nicole Duhamel Digital Fundraising Specialist, Villanova University

Graduway + Gravyty + Gratavid are throwing a massive fundraising leadership event this May 17-18 and you’re invited!

Graduway Fundraising Academy (GFA) is open to all fundraising professionals, 100% virtual, and registration is free.

What is GFA?

GFA is a two-day digital fundraising event featuring 40+ global leaders from the world’s most prestigious non-profits, independent schools, medical organizations, and universities.

Learn the latest digital fundraising strategies from schools such as: