George Washington University
Advancement Services Team

Tell us about your Advancement Services team at George Washington University. What are your primary areas of responsibility?

The Advancement Services team provides the operational foundation that supports GW's fundraising and engagement efforts. Our primary areas of responsibility include Gift Processing, Biographic Records, Advancement Technology, Analytics, Donor Relations, Proposal Development, and Campaign Operations. Together, these functions ensure that our fundraising efforts are data-driven, donor-centered, and strategically aligned with the university's goals.

What is one thing people outside of Advancement Services might not realize about the work your team does?

Many people may not realize how closely Advancement Services is connected to fundraising performance. We review fundraising results and progress toward institutional goals on a weekly basis and take our role in achieving those goals very seriously. Our partnership with frontline fundraisers is critical, and we view our success as directly tied to the success of the entire advancement organization. 

Collaboration & Culture

How does your team foster collaboration?

We intentionally invest in understanding one another's working and communication styles. Tools such as DISC help us build stronger relationships, improve communication, and create an environment where collaboration can thrive across our diverse functional areas.

What traditions, routines, or practices help strengthen your team culture?

One of our favorite traditions is our annual staff retreat. Each year, we explore unique and interesting locations across the GW community, such as the George Washington University Museum, The Textile Museum, and the Summit Hall campus on Mount Vernon. These experiences provide opportunities to connect, learn, and strengthen relationships outside of our day-to-day work. 

How do you celebrate successes, both big and small?

Recognition is an important part of our culture. We include "shout-outs" during our monthly All Staff meetings, where team members can recognize colleagues for their contributions, accomplishments, and support. It's a simple but meaningful way to celebrate successes and show appreciation for one another. 

Innovation & Impact

What's a recent project or initiative your team is especially proud of?

We are especially proud of the progress we've made implementing our new CRM, which is scheduled to launch in January 2027. Despite limited resources and many unknowns along the way, our team has relied on trust, collaboration, and a strong commitment to the shared goal. It's been a tremendous team effort that will have a lasting impact across the advancement organization.

Has your team implemented a process improvement, technology, or automation that has made a meaningful impact?

Our Power BI reporting environment has been transformational. As one of the university's most extensive users of Power BI, we've partnered closely with IT and advancement colleagues to create a robust analytics platform. The dashboards provide both real-time performance insights and historical context, helping leaders make informed, data-driven strategic decisions.

Professional Growth

How do you encourage professional development and continuous learning within your team?

Professional development is a key part of our annual planning process. We openly discuss learning opportunities, budget considerations, and strategies for providing as many team members as possible access to both virtual and in-person training. We also encourage staff to submit conference presentations and share their expertise with peers, creating valuable learning opportunities while often reducing the cost of conference participation.

In what ways has involvement with aasp influenced your team's work or professional growth?

aasp has been an invaluable resource for our team. As organizational members, we benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities and resources that provide an exceptional return on investment for our staff. We were also honored to host the aasp Regional Conference and are excited about the opportunity to welcome colleagues back when we host again in 2027.

Looking Ahead

What excites your team most about the future of Advancement Services?

We're excited about opportunities to connect, learn, and share ideas with peers across the profession. Events like aasp Regionals make professional development more accessible, providing valuable in-person learning experiences for those who may not be able to travel to larger conferences.

What emerging trends or challenges are you preparing for over the next few years?

Artificial intelligence is one of the most important trends shaping the future of our work. GW recently launched its university-wide AI strategy, and our team was fortunate to help contribute to its development. We're excited about the ways AI can enhance engagement, improve efficiency, and support data-informed decision-making. We are also preparing for GW's largest and most ambitious campaign yet by building the operational infrastructure and strategies needed to support its success.

What are you hoping to accomplish as a team in the coming year?

Our primary goals for the coming year are the successful launch of our new CRM and the rollout of a new Advancement intranet. Both initiatives will strengthen our mission to elevate GW advancement and engagement and improve access to information and a more connected experience for advancement staff across the university.

Let's have some fun!

If your team had a motto, what would it be?

Driving Toward Max.

Which three words best describe your team?

Strategic. Dedicated. Positive.

What is one fun fact about your team that most people wouldn't know?

We genuinely enjoy working together. We love to laugh, find joy in the work we do, and support one another through challenges. Our sense of humor is one of our greatest strengths and a big part of what makes our team successful. 

If your team were a movie, TV show, or band, what would it be and why?

Ted Lasso. We believe in optimism, teamwork, and bringing out the best in one another. Like the show's characters, we're committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed together.