RAISE Podcast

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent welcomes Patrick Hewett, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Endicott College—and one of the first advancement professionals to give EverTrue feedback, way back in 2011.Patrick traces his path from Portsmouth Abbey School to Saint Anselm College, from a short-lived stint in insurance to his first advancement job developing a young alumni program for his alma mater. He shares how his time at Middlesex School and Boston University shaped his approach to building donor relationships and how he's helping Endicott lean into cause-based fundraising, value creation, and a donor experience rooted in real impact.Patrick and Brent reflect on the early days of EverTrue, the evolution of donor expectations, and why advancement offices must play a more active role in identifying institutional value and bridging it to today’s most urgent challenges—from workforce development to mental health. Patrick also introduces new thinking around accessing philanthropic capital through community foundations and impact investing.Tune in for a deep conversation on data, purpose, product-market fit, and why it’s more important than ever to "tell everyone."

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent welcomes Peter Wilch, Senior Vice President for University Advancement at Loyola Marymount University.Peter shares his journey from growing up as the youngest of nine in Mount Vernon, Iowa, to finding purpose in higher education fundraising. As a first-generation college graduate, Peter reflects on the transformative experience he had at Cornell College and how it ignited his commitment to pay it forward through philanthropy.He walks us through his early career—from financial services to an unexpected introduction to development—and highlights the transferable skills that helped him thrive as a gift officer. Peter shares lessons from formative roles at Grinnell and the University of Iowa, and explains how those experiences shaped his leadership at Cornell, the University of San Francisco, and now LMU.Peter also discusses how AI can empower fundraisers to focus on what matters most: building lasting relationships. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, healthy competition, and the shared wins that define great advancement work—like the $25 million Levy Foundation challenge gift that galvanized the LMU team and set a new bar for impact.Tune in to hear about Peter’s approach to growing teams, cultivating lifelong donor relationships, and leading with humility, curiosity, and purpose.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Marie Schultz, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Texas at Arlington.Marie reflects on her journey from a first-gen student in Riverside, California to leading a 70+ person advancement team in one of the country’s most dynamic public universities. She shares the moment a friend’s brother told her she was “UC material,” how a student job in the development office changed everything, and the 27-year run that followed at UC Riverside—from prospect research to launching a successful capital campaign as Associate Vice Chancellor.Marie also talks about her leap to Texas and what it took to transform a team of 38 (with 20 open roles!) into a fully staffed, energized, and collaborative division ready to launch UTA’s first-ever comprehensive campaign. Along the way, she unpacks lessons on team culture, cultivating emerging leaders, and what it means to "trust the process" when you're rebuilding from scratch.When asked what it means to be a great gift officer, Marie says it's about being genuine, following through, and sparking impact—not just for the institution, but for the donor, too.Tune in!

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Richard P. Virgin, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego.Richard dives into the intricacies of leading advancement at a Catholic institution, sharing insights on how mission and identity shape fundraising strategies and donor engagement. Drawing on his tenure at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and other leadership roles, Richard reflects on building high-performing teams and the unique challenges of advancement work in today’s world.He also offers his perspective on the evolving expectations of donors, the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration within advancement, and the joys of working in San Diego—a city he proudly calls home.Tune in to hear Richard’s thoughts on what it takes to be an authentic and forward-thinking leader in the advancement space!

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Richard P. Virgin, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego.Richard dives into the intricacies of leading advancement at a Catholic institution, sharing insights on how mission and identity shape fundraising strategies and donor engagement. Richard reflects on building high-performing teams and the unique challenges of advancement work in today’s world.He also offers his perspective on the evolving expectations of donors, the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration within advancement, and the joys of working in San Diego—a city he proudly calls home.Tune in to hear Richard’s thoughts on what it takes to be an authentic and forward-thinking leader in the advancement space!

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent chats with Ashley Budd, Senior Marketing Director at Cornell University and co-author of Mailed It! Ashley shares her journey from student ambassador at RIT to leading digital marketing efforts in higher education, and offers insights on launching social media platforms and scaling strategies at Cornell.They discuss the importance of authenticity, empathy, and trust in email marketing, along with strategies for effective alumni engagement and stewardship. Ashley also shares lessons from her email-marketing-focused book, Mailed It, and advice for marketers looking to improve their strategies.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Thomas Chaves, Vice President for Advancement at Albright College. Thomas shares his journey in advancement, reflecting on his career in higher ed, Albright's approach to financial sustainability, and his passion for long-distance running.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Michael Bor, co-founder and CEO of the Endowment Project. Michael shares how grassroots fundraising and community engagement are revolutionizing public education, emphasizing that even modest contributions can yield significant benefits for students and teachers alike.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent speaks with Rita Walters, Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement at Montclair State University. Rita discusses her journey in fundraising, the transformative role of AI in enhancing personalization, and the critical importance of authentic relationships in driving alumni engagement.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent sits down with Wesley Stewart, Senior Associate Vice President of Development at the University of Oregon. Wesley discusses innovative strategies for fundraising in challenging markets, the power of mentorship, and her commitment to creating safe and supportive work environments in the advancement field.

Matthew J. Ter Molen has more than 30 years of expertise in development and fundraising. Prior to joining the RPI team in early 2023, he was the Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President at Syracuse University, where he served for more than eight years. In this role, he oversaw all alumni relations and development activities, including the planning, launch, and execution of the $1.5 billion University-wide campaign "Forever Orange," which raised more in private philanthropy than at any other time in Syracuse University history. Prior to Syracuse, Ter Molen held a range of positions at Northwestern University, the most recent being the Associate Vice President and Campaign Manager. Ter Molen's career began at the University at Chicago in their annual giving office. Ter Molen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Miami University in Ohio, and served in the Peace Corps in Honduras for two years prior to the start of his career in fundraising.

At the Rugers University Foundation, Mark Antonucci leads a division comprising alumni engagement, institutional giving and resource development, annual giving and stakeholder engagement, donor relations and stewardship, events, communications, systems and technology, records and research, human resources and training, and board management.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Derek Dictson, Vice President for University Advancement at Colorado State University.Derek shares his inspiring journey from the dot-com boom and bust in Seattle to leading major advancement initiatives at top institutions like Texas A&M and Auburn University. He delves into how his experiences in the tech industry have influenced his innovative approach to fundraising and donor engagement.Derek also discusses the unique structure of CSU’s advancement model, which integrates presidential events and university ceremonies, and highlights the successful implementation of a new Salesforce-based database. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and AI to streamline processes and build meaningful donor relationships.When asked about his perspective on the future of advancement, Derek says, "We’re just at the tip of the iceberg. The potential for AI to transform our work and make us more efficient is incredibly exciting. It’s a brave new world, and we need to stay ahead of the curve."Tune in!

Nancy Jackson was appointed Chief Development Officer at the Kansas University Endowment, where she leads the organization's comprehensive efforts to build relationships with its philanthropic communities, including alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations, securing resources to support KU's mission in higher education.In her role, Jackson works closely with deans and development professionals across all KU schools and units to advance strategic priorities and raise financial support for students, faculty, research, healthcare, the arts, athletics, and community programs. A major focus of the Endowment is also engaging KU's vast alumni network.An accomplished development leader with a history of fostering high-performing teams, Jackson co-founded Generous Change, a consultancy focused on innovative fundraising strategies. Her previous roles include senior positions at Generous Change, the Capital Group, and various nonprofit organizations in California.Originally from California, Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and completed her studies at KU. She resides in Kansas with her family, bringing her diverse experience and passion for philanthropy to her role at KU Endowment.

Since joining the University of Rochester, Tom Farrell has made significant strides as the Senior Vice President of Advancement, leading initiatives that emphasize empathy and the value of diverse experiences in higher education fundraising. Tom’s unique journey began in Rochester, influenced by his father’s progressive approach to education and his mother’s dedication as a high school teacher. He initially pursued a double major in history and political science at the University of Rochester, followed by a career in financial services. Tom’s varied roles, from gas station attendant to janitor, enriched his understanding of different perspectives, shaping his empathetic approach to advancement. His professional journey took him from the University of Buffalo to Dartmouth and the Ivy League, where he honed his skills in major gift and estate planning. Now, at the University of Rochester, Tom leverages his extensive experience to lead a mission-driven team, focusing on education, research, public service, and healthcare, while preparing for an exciting new campaign. Join us to hear Tom’s insightful reflections on his career, the evolving landscape of advancement, and the critical role of empathy in building successful donor relationships.

Since joining UnityPoint Health, Jake Heuser has brought a wealth of experience and innovation to his role as Vice President of System Philanthropy. Jake's career began with leadership roles in Phi Delta Theta at Missouri State University, where his transformative experiences shaped his future in philanthropy. At Bradley University, Jake's strategic vision and deep connection with alumni and the Peoria community drove significant achievements, including multiple seven and eight-figure gifts, with a notable $10 million donation. Now at UnityPoint Health, Jake continues to innovate, successfully transitioning from higher education to healthcare philanthropy. In this episode, Jake shares his insights on leadership, the importance of deep connections, and his vision for the future of healthcare philanthropy. Join us as we delve into Jake's inspiring story and the impactful lessons he's learned along the way.

Since joining NC State University as Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, Brian Sischo has spearheaded numerous initiatives to strengthen the university’s engagement and fundraising efforts. With a rich background in finance and development, Brian's journey began at Clarkson University, where he transferred after community college and continued to excel both academically and athletically.Prior to NC State, Brian held significant roles at Syracuse University, where he contributed to a billion-dollar campaign, and at Clarkson University, where he helped transform the institution’s fundraising strategies.Brian’s unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience has positioned NC State as a leader in higher education advancement. Listen to Brian’s inspiring story and insights on the latest episode of The RAISE podcast.

Roger Divine is the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Operations at Pomona College, where he is instrumental in leading the digital transformation of the institution’s advancement operations. Roger's journey into advancement is a testament to his diverse interests and relentless curiosity.Born in Detroit, Michigan, and having grown up in the Midwest, Roger’s early years were marked by a passion for languages, spurred by a cultural exchange program in Spain during high school. This experience not only honed his Spanish skills but also ignited a lifelong interest in language and culture. Roger pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where he initially majored in computer engineering before switching to a focus on languages, ultimately studying Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese.Roger's career in IT began at the University of Michigan’s Central Information Technology Division. His expertise in data and analytics led him to a pivotal role at the Ross School of Business, where he was instrumental in developing analytics and annual giving programs. This role marked his formal entry into the world of advancement.In 2015, Roger transitioned to the University of Southern California (USC), where he led significant advancements in data-driven decision-making within the university's advancement operations. His leadership at USC was characterized by fostering a culture of data utilization and proactive strategy, contributing to the institution's substantial fundraising achievements.Now at Pomona College, Roger is spearheading the college's CRM conversion to Salesforce, aiming to create a cohesive and integrated advancement ecosystem. His vision is to leverage technology, including AI, to enhance connectivity with alumni, families, and friends, ultimately driving the institution's mission forward.Roger's leadership style is marked by his emphasis on teamwork, continuous learning, and the strategic use of data to inform decision-making. He is passionate about using his skills to support philanthropic efforts and is dedicated to creating meaningful connections within the Pomona College community.In addition to his professional achievements, Roger is an advocate for lifelong learning and encourages others to explore their interests and passions. His journey from the Midwest to California and his varied experiences in language, technology, and education highlight his adaptability and commitment to growth and innovation in the field of advancement.

John Stark, President and CEO of the University of Wyoming Foundation, joins Brent on The RAISE podcast to share his fascinating journey in the world of higher education and fundraising. John's story begins with a move from Boston to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, sparking a lifelong connection with the University of Wyoming. In this episode, he reflects on his transition from law to fundraising, the pivotal role of relationships in his career, and the unique challenges and rewards of working in a small, close-knit community. Tune in to discover how John's innovative approaches and deep commitment to the university have helped shape its success and what lies ahead for the University of Wyoming Foundation. Don't miss this insightful conversation about leadership, resilience, and the power of community in the world of university advancement.