This preconference intensive is designed specifically for professionals who are new to the field or looking to build a strong foundation across the full advancement landscape. Through a series of focused, practical sessions led by experienced leaders, participants will gain a clear overview of the core functions of advancement including annual giving, major gifts, alumni and parent engagement, communications, stewardship, and operations.

Attendees will leave with:

• A working understanding of advancement structure, terminology, and best practices

• Insight into career pathways and growth opportunities

• Practical tools they can apply immediately

• A supportive cohort of peers navigating the field together 

Whether you’re in your first role or transitioning into advancement from another profession, this session provides the clarity, context, and confidence to move forward with purpose.

Designed for experienced advancement professionals, this facilitated preconference session offers a structured forum to engage deeply with the strategic and operational challenges facing leaders today by intentionally building a trusted cohort of peers you can rely on long after the conference concludes. Led by Sara Billings and Nancy Kehoe—both seasoned advancement practitioners with experience navigating complex institutional priorities, board dynamics, fundraising strategy, and team leadership—this session combines expert framing with meaningful peer dialogue. Together, they will introduce a curated set of advanced topics drawn from real-world leadership practice, then guide participants into facilitated small-group conversations designed to surface insight, share approaches, and test ideas. 

Registrants will be surveyed ahead of time to determine the most relevant topics, for example: 

• Delegating effectively while ensuring quality 

• Supporting everyone while feeling supported by few

• Balancing resource constraints with revenue expectations

• Leading through change and organizational complexity

Questions/Issues with registering? Contact Christine Tamez at [email protected]