ADVANCEMENT RESOURCES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Graphic Designer and Brand Specialist
Aliya works closely with various teams at Advancement Resources to transform ideas, content, and concepts into instructional and promotional materials. Additionally, she designs the look and feel of many aspects of Advancement Resources.
She is passionate about engaging learners through printed and digital graphic design by incorporating user experience and interface design.
Aliya has broad experience with graphic design, digital media, printing, and website design.
As the executive event producer, Allison will work with your team to generate strategic event concepts and themes with outcomes focused on deepening donor engagement.
Allison draws on her experience in the advancement industry working with higher education and healthcare organizations to leverage inspiring storytelling and impactful events as powerful tools to advance your mission and support philanthropic priorities.
Through direct collaboration, guidance, logistical organization, and event execution, she'll ensure that your team has a trusted partner in planning, and your guests have a meaningful event experience.
Allison holds a bachelor's degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives
Ann draws on her extensive background as an educator and writer to help the various teams at Advancement Resources create innovative, engaging content for our comprehensive array of services. Additionally, Ann strives to ensure workshop participants have a positive and meaningful experience.
She is passionate about using the power of writing and storytelling to help organizations achieve philanthropic success. Ann holds a Master's of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Writing from The University of Iowa.
Job Titles:
- Client Engagement Coordinator
As part of the Client Engagement team, Anna combines her experience in client relations and her passion for helping others to ensure positive and seamless interactions between our clients and our partnerships. Anna is an enthusiastic team-member who works collaboratively with colleagues to provide exceptional experiences for our clients.
Ashley is integral to the Advancement Resources team. Utilizing more than a decade of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management for organizations across the country, Ashley partners with academic, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations to deliver Advancement Resources' concepts, tools, and techniques at their organization.
Ashley is driven by a passion of connecting fundraisers at organizations of all shapes and budget size to training opportunities that can truly transform the important work that they do.
Ben consults with many of the nation's leading healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations on donor-centric development practices that drive transformational philanthropy. He passionately elevates organizations' mindsets toward philanthropy utilizing his experience and the extensive research that Advancement Resources conducts. Among his key partners are Make-A-Wish America, United Way Worldwide, Oregon State University, MedStar Health, Intermountain Healthcare, DePaul University, University of Cambridge, Utah Valley University, Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, and The University of British Columbia.
Ben enjoys sharing his insights with his peers and has been honored to introduce Advancement Resources' breakthrough concepts at a number of conferences and events for national associations and healthcare systems, including NHS Charities Together, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Minnesota Planned Giving Council, and Northwest Development Officers Association.
Outside of work, Ben is actively involved in his community, serving the United Way of East Central Iowa and Boy Scouts of America. Ben enjoys spending time outdoors, sailing, skiing, and relaxing with his wife, Julie, and their three kids.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Strategic Partner and Coach
Brandon brings over 20 years of professional fundraising experience and in addition to serving as an AR Strategic Partner and Coach, he is currently the Associate Vice President for Development at Florida State University Foundation. At the Foundation, he is responsible for managing and leading over 45 gift officers within the colleges and the central development units, including gift planning, annual giving, corporations and foundations, principal gifts, and regional development.
Before arriving at Florida State University Foundation, Brandon served as the Assistant Vice President for Development and Planned Giving for University of North Florida, Director of Development for University of Florida College of Medicine at Shands Jacksonville Academic Medical Center, and as the Assistant Vice President for Development and Marketing at Meharry Medical College.
For the past 25 years, Brandon has been a servant leader for several nonprofit governance boards. He remains an active volunteer in his local community and works to promote the importance and the impact of philanthropy in our daily lives.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Caleb works closely with academic, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations to develop and execute a customized and strategic approach to deepen the culture of philanthropy within each organization while supporting long-term transformation.
In addition, Caleb is part of the facilitation team that delivers professional education for healthcare, academic, and nonprofit organizations. Through these engagements, he is involved in many client-focused projects and is honored to serve these organizations in a variety of ways.
Caleb is eager to utilize his personal and professional experiences to support the mission of Advancement Resources in furthering philanthropy around the world.
CJ Ortuño brings expertise in creating philanthropy-based learning experiences through technology and learner-centered design. He's fluent in nonprofit learning assessments and training, fundraising performance improvement, and more.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partner and Coach
Chris brings to Advancement Resources nearly 40 years of development experience, primarily in higher education.
His impressive professional journey began with leading and conceiving a capital campaign for the University of Wisconsin Law School. Additionally, Chris worked in various capacities for the University of Wisconsin Foundation: 10 years as a development officer and seven years as manager of UW's $1.86 billion Create the Future capital campaign, before being promoted to Vice President and corporate officer in 2007. Five years later, Chris returned to his alma mater to become UW-Stevens Point's initial Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, leading the institution's first comprehensive capital campaign, a six-year effort that raised $41.5 million. His nine-year tenure saw five record years for fundraising, tripling UWSP's endowment and assets in the process. He currently holds the title Vice Chancellor Emeritus from UW-Stevens Point.
Using his vast experiences, Chris' responsibilities with Advancement Resources as a coach include one on one coaching to help development professionals define their goals and support them as they create a plan to achieve those goals.
Chris was drawn to philanthropy because of the values it reflects and inspires: People stepping outside of themselves, generously sharing with those they don't know, providing opportunities for others they may never meet, activating the blessings of their lives to help compose a better world.
Job Titles:
- Editor
- Videographer / Editor
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Instructional Design
With an extensive career in professional communication strategy, design, and application, Dan works with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and other non-profit organizations to develop training solutions targeted to achieve and exceed desired outcomes.
Dan is passionate about applying innovative instructional design methodologies to Advancement Resources research discoveries. His goal is to help workshop participants achieve breakthrough thinking and develop skills that drive greater, more meaningful philanthropy to advance the important work of their organizations.
Darrell has extensive experience helping organizations develop both comprehensive and strategic training programs to significantly raise levels of philanthropic support. Darrell provides workshops to academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and other non-profit groups, as well as specialized outcome-based coaching/consulting to academic leaders.
Darrell is passionate about helping both academic leaders and physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals understand and achieve their full potential as partners in development.
Darrell and his wife, Nelda, are personally committed to a number of philanthropic interests, including healthcare, social missions, and other programs that serve the interests of those in need. Darrell and Nelda each serve as foundation board members for organizations dedicated to building into the leadership and scholastic skills of young men and women.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partner and Coach
As a fundraising professional for more than twenty-five years, Debra brings extensive experience in academic, medical and community-based fundraising. Throughout her career she has developed a successful track record in major gift fundraising and has managed multiple areas in development including Annual Fund, Communications, Donor Engagement, Development Services, Events, and Executive Engagement.
Debra is eager to provide development professionals with best practices and strategic processes to advance their learning experiences and implement at their organization, with their donors, and in their career. Intently donor-centric in her approach, Debra's focus on the need for development professionals to continually evolve to meet the demands of today's philanthropists is key to supporting their efforts to achieve breakthrough performance in donor engagement.
Job Titles:
- Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF
- Strategic Partner, Facilitator, and Coach
With a decade of experience as a primary-care physician, Dr. Harris brings a unique perspective to his role in helping development professionals to engage clinicians as philanthropic partners and to engage patients and family members in meaningful philanthropy.
After 10 years of clinical practice in pediatrics and as an associate clinical professor at UCSF, Cliff transitioned his career to development, working with fundraisers to build stronger connections between clinicians and the development office, as well as managing his own major gift donor portfolio. He was the first Medical Director of Philanthropy at Children's Hospital Oakland. Since 2007, he has directed physician and nurse training in grateful patient philanthropy at Stanford Medicine.
Dr. Harris has been a featured speaker at AHP, AAMC, and international conferences, addressing his favorite topics: engaging physicians in philanthropy and the ethics of grateful patient fundraising.
Job Titles:
- Editor
- Videographer / Editor
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partner and Coach, UK
Gemma Downham brings to Advancement Resources a wealth of experience and an impressive track record in philanthropy and strategic development. Before joining the team as a Strategic Partner and Coach, UK, Gemma served as the Director of Philanthropy at Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust. In this role, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in fundraising strategies, significantly contributing to the Trust's mission.
At Advancement Resources, Gemma is poised to leverage her extensive background in philanthropy, combined with her keen insight into strategic planning and goal setting. She will be working closely with development professionals in one-on-one coaching to help them articulate their objectives and craft comprehensive plans. Gemma's approach is centered on understanding each individual's unique challenges and opportunities and guiding them through a journey of professional growth.
Her dedication to fostering meaningful relationships and her ability to inspire action will be invaluable to our clients. Gemma's expertise in philanthropy, combined with her passion makes her a pivotal addition to the Advancement Resources team as they continue to empower professionals in the UK and beyond.
Job Titles:
- Learning Design Coordinator
Jack is a Learning Design Coordinator that serves as a key member of the instructional design team. Jack focuses on creating and editing innovative and effective training solutions for academic, medical, and non-profit organizations of all sizes.
Jack is known for his collaborative approach, attention to detail, and commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in instructional design.
Jack's passion for education and training led him to his position at Advancement Resources and he plays a critical role in ensuring that the learning programs are designed to meet the specific learning objectives of each client.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Client Engagement
Jackie brings more than 10 years of experience in client service to the Advancement Resources' team. Utilizing her skills and experience, she works closely with many Advancement Resources team members to coordinate the day-to-day management of client engagements, logistical planning, and development of strategic solutions for partnering organizations.
As a primary liaison between Advancement Resources and many of its clients, Jackie's goal is to ensure that each organization's experience with us exceeds their expectations. Jackie is a natural at relationship building and her drive and determination coupled with her heart for serving others makes Jackie an invaluable resource to Advancement Resources, our business partners, and our clients.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partner and Coach
James is a seasoned fundraising professional based in Toronto with extensive experience in healthcare, higher education, environmental, and cultural organizations. At AR, he partners with a number of organizations to optimize their philanthropic potential. He is pleased to serve development professionals, key executives, academic leaders, clinicians, board members, and volunteers.
Jim brings his 43 years of experience in philanthropy and his approach towards benefactor-centric and relationship-based fundraising to Advancement Resources. As the co-founder of Appreciative Philanthropy with Scott Arthur, Jim and Scott partner with Advancement Resources to share their passion and philosophy of philanthropy during the highly-regarded session, Changing Hearts and Changing Minds: Inspiring Principal Giving. His expertise is in creating important, compelling and investment-worthy ideas to inspire gifts of significance.
During his career, Jim has a deliberate focus on meaning and purpose rather than on money. This focus led Jim to inspire the most remarkable gifts of significance in his 30-year career at Mayo Clinic. A sought after keynote speaker and presenter, Jim conducts seminars and workshops focusing on benefactor-centric, relationship-based, inquiry-driven philanthropy. As he did at Mayo, Jim continues to be the Chief Strategist for philanthropy at the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus working with benefactors who make leadership gifts to advance research, education and clinical care at the medical center.
Julie has focused her work with Advancement Resources on creating operational efficiencies within the organization and messaging and branding strategies.
With over 15 years experience in marketing and event production, Julie also works closely with the event production and campaign planning processes. She leads the efforts on conference and marketing strategies to ensure we deliver our services to clients who want to optimize their philanthropic potential.
She is passionate about building a culture of philanthropy both professionally and personally in her community.
Job Titles:
- Instructional Content Coordinator
As a design team member, Kayla works on instructional and graphic design projects for Advancement Resources' curriculum of academic, medical, and non-profit philanthropy workshops.
Kayla utilizes her copyediting skills to ensure instructional materials exhibit high quality in copy and content. Additionally, she contributes to the creation of innovative, engaging content with her fine writing skills.
She is passionate about conveying important philanthropic ideas with transformative language to inspire meaningful action. Kayla holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology from Coe College.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Senior Facilitator
Kelley partners with academic and medical organizations to develop and deliver strategic, outcomes-based professional education programs to optimize their philanthropic opportunity. She leverages her experience with research-based philanthropy to provide support and growth to clients and peers.
With more than 15 years of experience as an advancement professional in non-profit management, alumni relations, higher education, and health sciences; Kelley has extensive expertise in principal and major gift strategies, board relations, strategic planning, alumni relations, planned giving, and management.
Additionally, Kelley enjoys sharing her skills and knowledge during conferences and events throughout the industry including, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, The Association of Veterinary Advancement of Veterinary Advancement Professionals, and and numerous agricultural organizations.
Kelley brings a unique perspective on grateful giving, having worked extensively in the field of veterinary medicine. She also is passionately committed to the arts and mentorship for women.
Lauren manages the instructional and graphic design projects for Advancement Resources' curriculum of academic, medical, and non-profit philanthropy workshops.
Lauren utilizes broad experience in instructional design, writing/editing, project management, and research to coordinate outcome-driven instructional materials for the more than 300 workshops and presentations Advancement Resources delivers each year. She holds a Master of Arts in Literary and Textual Analysis with a certificate in Technical Communication.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Senior Facilitator
A seasoned facilitator, Lauri has extensive experience working with participants of diverse backgrounds. She is passionate about helping development professionals and other associates broaden their perspectives and hone their skills in order to achieve breakthrough success in fundraising.
With a background in coaching and performance management, Lauri has a proven track record in facilitating team-building, conflict management, leadership, strategic planning, and other professional development courses to academic institutions and non-profit organizations.
Lauri holds a master's degree in adult learning and organizational performance.
Lynnea supports our team in various projects partnering with organizations to deepen donor engagement. In addition, she has led the creative team to produce highly successful campaign events, develop the extensive Advancement Resources video library, and create customized e-Learning modules for culture change.
With over 10 years of experience, Lynnea has been honored to partner with clients such as Arizona State University, Butler University, University of Delaware, MedStar Health, John Muir Health, and many others. Lynnea is passionate about helping organizations drive meaningful philanthropy.
Mark leads appraisal, assessment, analysis, and planning processes as a strategic partner to development teams, executives, and health systems. Mark is committed to this comprehensive approach, identifying strengths and opportunities, assets and effectiveness in teams, and helping to create near-term change that produces long-term transformation.
With more than 36 years of experience in a wide range of development leadership positions, Mark has worked with leaders in health care, higher education, arts, human services, and faith-based institutions to help organizations prepare and take steps toward the next level of growth. He is active in various fundraising professional organizations, community non-profits and boards.
Mark's mission is "to identify needs and resources and put them together so that people are helped and communities are improved."
Mauria is a founding member and president of Advancement Resources. She oversees AR's core services, including Learning Design, Facilitation, Coaching, and AR Creative.
With over 25 years of experience in communications and instructional design, Mauria has developed numerous programs for universities, healthcare institutions, and non-profits around the world. She has personally delivered hundreds of workshops for development professionals, communications professionals, board members, and academic leaders, and has worked in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK. Additionally, Mauria has applied her eclectic background in education, theatre, dance, and writing to create and produce compelling, story-driven campaign events and videos.
Job Titles:
- Business Services Associate
Melissa works closely with the instructional design team to coordinate, schedule, and produce the materials that are presented at Advancement Resources workshops.
Melissa's goal is to provide timely delivery of materials that are of flawless quality, ensuring a gratifying experience for clients.
Melissa leads business operations for Advancement Resources with teams focused on strategy, HR, accounting, finance, IT, client scheduling, travel planning, and engagement logistics.
With more than 15 years of experience in operations, client services, marketing, and business development, Melissa often draws on this experience to support cross-functional collaboration and operational efficiencies.
Outside of Advancement Resources, Melissa is active with her local PK-12 community school district and enjoys quality time with her husband and three children.
Job Titles:
- Director of Video Production
As Director of Video Production, Morgan works with client organizations to produce high-impact videos and both live and virtual donor engagement events. In addition to leading projects, Morgan also edits video content for the extensive and proprietary Advancement Resources video library.
Her pleasant demeanor, helpful attitude, and professionalism ensure a positive experience for those who are in contact with her. Morgan's primary goal is to ensure a seamless experience for all clients.
Job Titles:
- Associate of New Business Development
- New Business Development Associate
Nick brings a unique background to the Advancement Resources team. He graduated from Drake University with a degree in Strategic Political Communications and has had experience in business ownership in event production, political fundraising, legislative affairs, as well as youth talent and leadership development.
In his role as the Associate of New Business Development, Nick is an active partner to higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations that seek to elevate their donor-centric philanthropic approach. He is passionate about developing relationships with advancement teams to understand their challenges, opportunities, and future goals and discover how we can partner with them to enhance their culture of philanthropy.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending his time sailing, climbing, and researching new concepts or ideas.
Job Titles:
- Client Engagement Coordinator
Renee supports our sales team and coordinates a variety of engagements with clients. Renee's motivation for excellence and her eagerness to provide our partners with outstanding service is demonstrated in every interaction. She strives to ensure each client experience is seamless and enjoyable. Renee brings passion and inspiration to the Advancement Resources team.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Coaching Services
Job Titles:
- Coaching Services Coordinator
- Member of the Coaching Services Team
As a member of the coaching services team, Rose brings 20 years of business experience to Advancement Resources. Her passion for growing relationships coupled with her motivation makes for a perfect fit coordinating with clients and partners. Rose is honored to work with many organizations throughout their entire engagement with Advancement Resources.
Additionally, Rose works closely with many AR team members providing support. Rose is known for her can-do attitude and willingness to go above and beyond for clients and her peers. Rose's drive for helping others is another reason she is a valuable member of the organization that is driving meaningful philanthropy.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partner and Coach
Sandi Wilson is a fundraising professional with more than twenty-five years of experience in the philanthropic process and a successful track record in planning, implementing and coordinating development and alumni programs, grateful patient and family programs and managing staff and infrastructure.
During the last two and a half decades, Sandi's primary focus has been in academic medicine and she has served in leadership roles at the University of Michigan, IDC, the University of Southern California and the University of North Carolina. Her areas of expertise include annual giving programs, communications, web services, prospect management, research and stewardship. She has designed and implemented successful grateful patient programs for St. Joseph Mercy Health System, the University of Michigan Health System, Keck Medicine of USC, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and the University of North Carolina.
In her consulting practice, she has partnered with healthcare clients across the country to assess, improve and expand their existing grateful patient programs bringing best practices in policy development, the design of data solutions, secure data storage and transmission, donor acquisition, and the recruitment and training of physician champions.
In her role, Sarah works to create awareness among organizations of the array of Advancement Resources services that can help them achieve their philanthropic goals. In addition to coordinating marketing materials and maintaining the website, Sarah manages the logistics of the various conferences in which Advancement Resources participates.
Sarah holds a bachelor's degree from St. Ambrose University and brings to Advancement Resources 4 years of experience with marketing both print and digital and social media.
Sarah is passionate about utilizing her skills to create connections that enable organizations and development professionals to achieve success in their goals.
Scott has 18 years of experience as a fundraising leader at major medical institutions and nonprofits. As the co-founder of Appreciative Philanthropy with Jim Hodge, Scott and Jim partner with Advancement Resources to share their passion and philosophy of philanthropy during the highly-regarded session, Changing Hearts and Changing Minds: Inspiring Principal Giving. His expertise is in creating important, compelling and investment-worthy ideas to inspire gifts of significance.
Scott currently leads the advancement team at the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Campus, which is comprised of 45 personnel, including marketing and communications teams. The team he leads has raised 2.5x more than what was raised prior to his leadership. His expertise lies in how to create more with less, using office values and culture to produce fundraising results.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Partner and Coach
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Creative Services
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Workshops
Job Titles:
- Office and Production Coordinator
Job Titles:
- E - Learning Manager and Senior Graphic Designer
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Analytics and Senior Researcher