In this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris are joined by Gina Yazzolino, Assistant Vice President for Constituent Engagement at the University of Portland, for a conversation about how engagement strategy is evolving to include more than just alumni. Gina shares insights from her work building a constituent engagement team that casts a broader net.

Our conversation explores how Gina and her team are working to align engagement with fundraising and integrate engagement into a unified advancement model. Gina also discusses the challenges of cultural change, the role of strategic communications, and how institutions can bridge long-standing gaps between engagement and development work.

Subscribe to Alumless for the extended podcast conversation, and thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about their unique technology that helps alumni teams scale volunteerism.

In this episode of Alumless, Chris Marshall and Nicole Kempton explore the growing intersection of innovation and university advancement with Dr. Davy Norris, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Advancement and CEO of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Louisiana Tech recently made a bold move by merging its Innovation Enterprise with University Advancement, a strategic shift that positions alumni, research, and economic development at the heart of institutional growth.

Davy shares what prompted this integration, how it aligns with Louisiana Tech’s mission, and what it means for philanthropy, industry partnerships, and alumni engagement. The conversation dives into the future of alumni participation in innovation, the role of advancement in supporting research commercialization, and how this model could reshape regional economic development.

This episode provides key insights for institutions rethinking how advancement and innovation can work together to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni.

Subscribe to Alumless to hear the extended podcast conversation, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for details on their events-and-all technology.

In our next episode of Alumless, we welcome Sarah Kathryn Ricci, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Baylor University, for a conversation on management and leadership in university advancement. In this episode, "Managing Up, Down, All-Around," we explore the challenges of leading teams, collaborating across departments, and engaging alumni volunteers. Sarah Kathryn shares strategies for balancing engagement and fundraising, navigating internal partnerships, and motivating staff and volunteers. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned manager, this episode offers practical insights into what it takes to succeed in advanced leadership. A big thanks to our presenting sponsor, Protopia, for their continued support. Find out more about the technology that’s turning heads and winning CASE awards! Visit protopia.co/alumless for details.

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Friday Cheers:

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