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Summer Series Presenters and Panelists
Day 1 | July 21 | ProcessSession One: Doing Project Work When the Ground Keeps Moving
Kate Mead is a seasoned nonprofit technology consultant and project manager with over 20 years of dedicated experience helping mission-driven organizations maximize the potential of their technology and optimize their operations. Specializing in hospitals, universities, and nonprofit organizations, Kate has a proven track record of guiding clients through complex digital transformations, from strategy development to successful implementation
Her leadership philosophy is grounded in curiosity, continuous improvement, and the belief that organizations perform at their best when people are empowered to do meaningful work. She is passionate about guiding teams through change, translating vision into action, and fostering environments where innovation, accountability, and joy can coexist. Natalie has led transformational initiatives across advancement operations, prospect development, donor stewardship, analytics, constituent engagement, and CRM strategy. Projects under her leadership have earned national recognition, including the AASP Sapphire Award for Prospect Management for developing a model of 100% donor stewardship and a Salesforce Innovation Award for helping set the vision behind record-breaking Giving Days at Occidental. Whether leading organizational change, redesigning systems and processes, or developing future leaders, Natalie is energized by bringing people together around a shared vision and building the capacity needed to achieve ambitious goals. She believes sustainable growth occurs when institutions invest equally in their people and their infrastructure, creating organizations that are adaptable, mission-driven, and prepared for the future.
Session Two: Getting Work Done Across Teams, Systems, and Constraints
As a founder, member, and former President of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (aasp) Board of Directors, John's influence is far-reaching. His commitment was further recognized in 2012 with the aasp Jonathan Lindsey Lifetime Achievement Award. John's dedication to his profession and community remains strong. His achievements were recognized in 2019 when he was named a CASE Laureate. He has served as editor for all four editions of the CASE Advancement Services book and has contributed to and edited the 3rd and 4th editions of the CASE Guidelines, as well as the first edition of the CASE Global Reporting Standards. John's commitment to service includes his membership as a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and his active involvement in the Durham Rotary Club, where he serves as Chair of the Foundation Committee and, now, President-Nominee. He lives in Durham, NC, with his wife and children, continuing to make a positive impact in his community. Sarah Thomas serves as the Director of Donor Services at NC State University, where she oversees key operations, including gift agreements, naming opportunities, endowment reporting, and distinguished professorships. With more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a decade in higher education, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Before joining NC State, Sarah was the Project Manager of Gift Management at the University of Houston. She also hosts a monthly call, “Hot Topics in Donor Relations/Gift Administration Compliance,” providing valuable insights to the donor relations and gift compliance community. An active volunteer with CASE, aasp, and ADRP, Sarah has served as a Board Member for aasp and holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Baylor University. Under her leadership, NC State's Donor Services team has received numerous accolades, including:
Session Three: Understanding Impact Beyond Task Completion
Currently serving as the director of a team handling data strategy, operations, and governance at the Purdue for Life Foundation, Chris is actively involved in DAMA, EDUCAUSE, and CASE, as both a volunteer and presenter at numerous conferences, locally and nationally. Within AASP, he serves as the co-chair of the Knowledge Base. Lori Stirling, Senior Managing Vice President, BWF
Lloyd Lentz is the Executive Director of User Experience and CRM at Macalester College, where he helps lead the systems and technology that support alumni, donor, and Advancement operations. With a background spanning software development, Advancement information services, CRM strategy, and user experience, Lloyd brings a practical, builder’s perspective to the evolving role of technology in higher education. He is known for connecting technical possibility with operational reality-helping teams think not only about what technology can do, but what it should do to make work more efficient, accessible, and effective.
Day 2 | July 28 | Technology and DataSession One: Working With Rapidly Changing Tools Without Chasing Every New Thing
Christopher Bertone is a leader in higher education, advancement, and organizational strategy with nearly two decades of experience serving Drexel University across Enrollment Management, Alumni Relations, and Institutional Advancement. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of people, process, data, and technology, helping teams adapt to change while remaining focused on mission and long-term impact. His approach emphasizes thoughtful decision-making in complex environments where competing priorities, limited resources, and evolving expectations require both adaptability and trust. Known for fostering collaboration and continuous learning, he is passionate about building resilient teams and organizations that can thrive amid constant change. Beth Mohlenbrock serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Systems, where she leads the strategy, governance, and delivery of technology services supporting university advancement. She oversees CRM operations, business transformation initiatives, and user adoption programs that enable fundraising, alumni engagement, and advancement operations. She led WashU's CRM modernization effort transitioning from a 40+ year old in-house advancement system to Kindsight's Advancement RM (live in 2024). With approximately 38 years of experience in Advancement technology, Beth has built and led high-performing teams focused on delivering optimal value to fundraising efforts.
Session Two: Making Sense of AI: Shared Language, Clear Expectations, Real Use
His technical expertise includes .NET Core development, Azure cloud architecture, and building sophisticated AI workflows using Claude API and other LLM platforms for business automation and custom applications. At Zoom Retail Analytics (zoomretail.ai), Shan architects AI-powered analytics platforms serving major retail partnerships including Walmart suppliers, transforming complex data into actionable business intelligence.
Day 3 | August 4 | PeopleSession One: Staying Resilient While Work Keeps Changing
Since 2025, Andrew has been the Vice President of Apra’s Illinois chapter, an Education Committee member for the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (aasp), and a Conference Planning Committee member for Apra International. He has presented at industry events such as the “Meeting of the Minds” Annual Giving and Advancement Services Conference, Apra’s flagship Prospect Development Conference, and for Tableau’s Advancement Systems User Group, and he has written for publications that include Apra Connections and the University of Texas Press’s Journal of Advancement Analytics. Andrew graduated from Ohio State University with an undergraduate degree in Arts Administration & Policy. Outside of the philanthropy world, you can likely find him at his “5 to 9” gig as an indoor cycling instructor for Chicago’s Fitness Formula Clubs.
Michael Brucek is the leader of Data Science at Gobel Group, where he leverages his extensive experience in non-profit fundraising to develop innovative solutions for advancement professionals. His career in nonprofit work began on his second day of college at the University of Wisconsin, where he was recruited to work at the phone-a-thon. A small but crucial scholarship from the phone-a-thon allowed him to continue his education, an experience that profoundly shaped his professional journey. Mike has worked at every level of fundraising, starting with early roles in annual giving and consulting, building a mid-level giving program at the University of Minnesota, and serving as a major gift officer. While at the University of Minnesota, he completed a master's degree in Analytics, which allowed him to pivot into data science. This unique combination of frontline fundraising experience and advanced analytical skills enables Mike to bring a distinctive perspective to his work, continually advancing the efficacy of fundraising efforts and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Mike is driven by a passion for philanthropy, inspired by how it changed his own life. He is dedicated to helping others achieve similar life-changing impacts through his work. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mike has served on multiple committees within the APRA and aasp communities, contributing his expertise and insights to the broader field of advancement.
Dwight Dozier Joseph Calger has more than 40 years of broad-based experience in advancement, advancement consulting, and campaign management. He currently leads a team of professionals in annual and special giving, finance and operations, information systems and delivery, gift administration, gift accounting, and investment management. He has also had a leadership role in multiple billion-dollar-plus campaigns, events, communications, donor relations, talent management, and consulting engagements with major universities, health systems, and non-profits.
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John Taylor is the Principal of John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC, an independent advancement consulting firm. He has worked in consulting roles since 1994. John served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement Services and Interim Campaign Manager at North Carolina State University. He also served as Vice President for Research and Data Services at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in Washington, DC. Prior to that, John was Director of Alumni & Development Records at Duke University for nearly 15 years. He earned a BA in Mass Communications and Socio-Political Change from Vanderbilt University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. John's impact on the field of advancement is significant. He founded FundSvcs, one of the largest advancement-related listservs worldwide, and has shared his insights at hundreds of international conferences. His dedication to teaching earned him the prestigious CASE Crystal Apple Award.
A future-focused thought leader on data within higher education advancement and its power to drive insights and tell impactful stories, Chris Amherst has contributed to his respective fields through articles on Master Data Management, webinars on data culture and data quality, and a practice paper on the impact of technical debt on innovation and leadership within our teams. Almabase recognized him as one of the “50 under 50” in 2023.
Chris Kollar is the Vice President of Development Services at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he leads reporting & analytics, prospect development, records and gifts administration, donor relations, annual giving and advancement technology to support more than $300M in annual fundraising. With a career dedicated to bridging the gap between complex data systems and frontline fundraising goals, Chris has successfully guided major enterprise CRM migrations, modernized technology stacks, and built sustainable campaign infrastructures in higher education and healthcare. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) who frequently speaks on change management and technology, he holds a master’s degree in behavioral sciences and a bachelor’s degree in biology from North Carolina State University, where he also competed as a Division I student-athlete.
Shan Pesaru brings 20 years of technology leadership experience and now building practical AI solutions for clients spanning multiple industries. As founder and CEO of Sharp Hue, a software development company established in 2006 that has recently pivoted to AI-first methodologies for Discovery, Design, Development of B2B digital platforms. He has worked with over 500 clients delivering custom solutions for businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. His approach combines human-centered design practices with cutting-edge technology, ensuring AI implementations solve real business problems and deliver measurable value.
A first-generation college graduate and full-tuition scholarship recipient, Tenneil Hutchings career has been shaped by a deep appreciation for the transformative role philanthropy plays in higher education. With more than 25 years of experience in advancement and fundraising operations, she is recognized for leading with transparency, accountability, and a focus on scalable, mission-driven technology. She currently serves as Executive Director of IT for the 
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Robyn Doughty is the Senior Director of Data and Business Solutions at UC Berkeley. With nearly 25 years of experience in public higher education advancement, Robyn possesses a deep understanding of the dynamic challenges facing modern fundraising enterprises. She has dedicated the bulk of her career to Advancement Operations, specializing in aligning data, systems, and processes with the needs of university stakeholders. Known for her collaborative approach to solving complex organizational and technical issues, Robyn is adept at breaking down silos, leading extensive campus outreach, and building strong, cross-functional teams. Her track record includes spearheading major database conversions, instituting collaborative data management, and launching comprehensive training programs. An active leader in the wider advancement community, Robyn frequently shares her expertise as a faculty member and committee volunteer for both the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP). She is also proudly serving as the Chair of CASE DRIVE 2027. Throughout her career, she remains driven by a core passion: thoughtfully connecting people, processes, and technology to achieve high-impact outcomes and organizational efficiencies.
Andrew Gutierrez
Jeff Baynham
Dr. Wayne Combs is a leader in campaign and advancement management with more than 30 years of experience supporting higher education and healthcare. As Associate Vice President at BWF Zuri, he provides strategic guidance to philanthropic leaders across the industry. Previously, he spent nine years as Associate Vice President overseeing philanthropy and business operations for Children’s Hospital of Orange County Foundation, preceded by more than 20 years at global research institutions including UCLA, USC, the University of Washington, and UC San Diego. At the University of Southern California, Dr. Combs teaches doctoral courses in the USC Rossier Organizational Change and Leadership program, including Creativity and Innovation, Strategic Communications and Change Management, and Economics and Finance. In support of philanthropy, Dr. Combs delivers presentations on emerging trends and serves on the board of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals as Director of Education and Past-President, as faculty for AHP Madison Institute, and as Chair/Facultyfor the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.