We're pleased to share with you this wonderful "summer replay" episode of Alumless World with you. Stay tuned for a new episode of Alumless on August 29th!

In this episode, hosts Ryan and Nicole welcome Prince Louis Omolayo Adekola, Founder and CEO of Edvant Edge Africa, for a conversation about the evolving landscape of alumni engagement in West Africa. As a leader in international education and advancement, Louis brings unique insights from his work as a Regional Officer for the University of Sussex, his experience as a Chevening Scholar, and his leadership of The International Education Africa Summit & Awards.

The discussion explores how international student recruitment influences long-term alumni engagement, the key differences between Nigerian and UK university alumni networks, and the emerging trends shaping alumni relations across Africa. Louis also shares strategies for building alumni loyalty in globally dispersed communities, the role of social media in professional networking, and how cultural perspectives impact philanthropy and alumni giving patterns in West African institutions.

Special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for more details about their events-and-all technology that makes managing signature programs simple.

This episode was originally released on March 21, 2025.

Philanthropy has never been one-size-fits-all, and few understand that better than Carme Williams, Senior Consultant at Washburn McGoldrick. In this week's episode of Alumless, Carme joins Ryan and Chris to explore the history, strategy, and future of programs designed to engage and inspire women donors.

From her leadership at NC State to advising institutions nationwide, Carme shares why these initiatives matter and the unique ways women give compared to men. The conversation tackles both opportunities and headwinds — how to build a compelling business case, the role of peer influence, and navigating today’s political climate around identity-based programs.

Thanks to AlumniQ for being our presenting sponsor this week. Be sure to check out their event-and-all approach. Visit www.alumniq.com for more details.

We're pleased to share with you this wonderful "summer replay" episode of Alumless World with you. Stay tuned for a new episode of Alumless this Friday!

In this episode, Ryan and Nicole welcome Jo Gardner, Director of Alumni Engagement at Imperial College London, for a conversation about how global universities can effectively engage their alumni in institutional priorities. Our discussion explores the role of Imperial’s leadership and new strategic direction. Jo reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities of leading engagement for a highly dispersed alumni body and discusses how Imperial adapts its approach to different cultural expectations.

Ryan and Nicole also dive into the UK's state of advancement, highlighting emerging trends and concerns. Jo shares her insights on measuring success in alumni relations, how institutions can professionalize engagement strategies, and the importance of being nimble in adapting to generational shifts in alumni expectations.

Thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details on their revolutionary technology that’s got everyone talking.

This episode was originally released on March 7, 2025.

We're pleased to share with you this wonderful "summer replay" episode of Alumless World with you this week. Stay tuned for a new episode of Alumless next Friday!

In this episode, hosts Ryan and Nicole welcome Fadi Ghosn and Loreen Bahour from RCSI Medical University of Bahrain to explore the power of alumni ambassador programs to strengthen alumni engagement across borders. Fadi, the Head of Recognition, Careers, and Alumni, and Loreen, the Alumni Relations Team Lead, share their experiences developing and expanding RCSI Bahrain’s Alumni Ambassador Programme, which fosters connections among graduates in Bahrain, the UK, the USA, Kuwait, and Canada. The discussion highlights the selection process for alumni ambassadors and growth, the challenges of engaging alumni across multiple countries, and the strategies RCSI Bahrain uses to maintain a strong sense of community among graduates living abroad. Fadi and Loreen also reflect on how university leadership has championed this initiative and explore opportunities for future expansion.

Special thanks to AlumniQ for supporting this episode. Try out their events-and-all platform and schedule a demo at alumniq.com.

This episode was originally released on February 21, 2025.

Think you know what your alumni really want? The National Alumni Survey is challenging long-held assumptions and forcing advancement professionals to confront some uncomfortable truths. On this supersized special episode of Alumless, we’re digging into one of the most talked-about projects in advancement today: The National Alumni Survey. Ryan and Chris are joined by three powerhouse leaders behind the effort — Bonnie Devlin of Washburn McGoldrick, Howard Heevner of CMAC and UC Berkeley, and Sarah Kleeberger of Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Our panel will unpack what the survey is revealing about the state of alumni giving, engagement, and institutional connection. The conversation explores why the survey was launched, what findings have been most surprising, and how institutions are utilizing the insights. From generational giving patterns to the vital link between connection and generosity, this episode sheds light on how data can reframe our understanding of alumni behavior. A big thanks to our presenting sponsor, Protopia, for their support. Alumless listeners should learn more about the AI technology that’s winning awards and helping schools scale engagement through micro-volunteerism. Visit protopia.co/alumless.

What does student engagement look like when your alumni are spread across 110 countries? In this episode of Alumless World, we speak with Nena Grceva, Director of Alumni Affairs at The Hertie School in Berlin. Nena brings a global lens to the student-to-alumni transition and shares how a mission-driven institution can build meaningful connections—starting before graduation. From award-winning programs like the Thesis Buddy Project to launching five alumni chapters in just two years, Nena walks us through her approach to aligning alumni engagement with institutional values like democracy, community-building, and civic responsibility. She also shares her insights on working with international volunteers, measuring ROI for engagement, and how to stay grounded when building programs from scratch. Whether you're managing a small alumni population or looking to infuse more meaning into your engagement strategies, this episode is packed with lessons from a seasoned practitioner and CASE leader operating on a global stage. Thanks to the team at Protopia for supporting the show. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about the technology that's winning CASE awards and helping schools scale donor engagement.

Change is a constant in higher education advancement, but few have embraced it as boldly as Scott Biedermann, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of the Pacific. In this episode of Alumless, Ryan and guest co-host Patrick Auerbach sit down with Scott to unpack the intentional evolution of Pacific’s advancement strategy, including the redefinition of its alumni association’s role and a shift toward integrated engagement and development practices. Scott shares the thinking behind restructuring teams and addressing the tension between transactional giving and meaningful alumni experience. From regional challenges to faculty partnerships, he offers candid reflections on the complexities of leading transformation while keeping alumni at the center. In the bonus segment, we explore what makes Pacific unique, the impact of presidential leadership, and the skills alumni engagement professionals need for the future. Thanks to AlumniQ for being our presenting sponsor for this episode. Visit alumniq.com to learn more about their event support technology and services.

What happens when the heart of your alumni connection isn’t just the institution, but the place itself? In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan and Nicole sit down with Courtney Stombock, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at The American University of Paris (AUP), to explore what it takes to build meaningful alumni engagement and fundraising programs in an international, multicultural environment. Courtney shares insights from her career spanning the U.S. and Europe, reflecting on how cross-cultural understanding shapes everything from gift conversations to volunteerism. From launching AUP’s first-ever Alumni Association to engaging globally mobile alumni across 145 countries, she explains how “place,” identity, and alumni-centric thinking redefine traditional engagement strategies. The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about international advancement and how to build community at scale with limited resources. Tune in for the extended podcast version, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring Alumless World.