In this engaging conversation, Ryan interviews Kira Mudd, the Director of Alumni Engagement at the University of Rhode Island (URI) Foundation. They discuss the evolution and significance of homecoming at URI, highlighting the innovative approaches taken to enhance alumni engagement and school spirit. Kira shares insights into the planning and execution of homecoming events, emphasizing the importance of creating memorable experiences that foster a sense of pride and connection among alumni. The discussion also touches on the strategic partnerships with athletics and the introduction of new traditions, such as the "Keeney Blueout" game, to strengthen alumni ties and celebrate the university's achievements.

Listen to full episodes of our podcast using your favorite podcast app.

Visit cmac.me to learn more about our firm.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors for making Alumless possible:

Protopia makes providing scalable volunteer engagement solutions simple. Their AI platform enables all of your alumni to support students and fellow graduates with advice and networking. Connect with their team by visiting protopia.co/alumless

AlumnIQ is the only all-in-one alumni engagement platform built exclusively for higher education. Connect with them to learn more about how they help institutions manage everyday events and email outreach, to online giving, directories, membership management, and seamless integrations.

Givzey is a simple-to-use platform that streamlines and scales multi-year giving and one-time gifts at every level to accelerate your fundraising team and improve the donor experience. Learn more at givzey.com

What’s the difference between leading and managing — and why does it matter so much in advancement?

In this episode of Alumless, Ryan and Chris are joined by colleague Scott Greenwood, Vice President at CMAC and Executive Coach, for a candid conversation about the art and science of leadership in higher education advancement. Drawing on decades of experience leading teams across colleges and universities, Scott breaks down what it takes to bring out the best in others — from balancing positive and negative reinforcement to avoiding favoritism and communicating with clarity. The conversation explores what separates high-performing advancement leaders from managers who simply maintain operations.

In the bonus segment, Scott dives deeper into self-reflection, managing up, setting expectations, and understanding your own motivations. He also shares actionable coaching insights on visibility, delegation, and performance conversations that drive growth and trust. Plus, don’t miss the team’s Friday Cheers to wrap up the episode.

Thanks to Protopia, AlumnIQ, and Version2.ai by Givzey for being amazing presenting sponsors.

In this episode, Ryan interviews Craig Swinyard, the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Engagement at Oregon Health and Science University Foundation. They discuss a recent $2 billion donation from Phil and Penny Knight to support cancer research at OHSU, the importance of alumni engagement, and how Craig has restructured his team to enhance relationships with alumni. The conversation also touches on the challenges of competing for alumni attention, innovative strategies for engagement, and recommendations for effective teamwork.

Listen to full episodes of our podcast using your favorite podcast app.

Visit cmac.me for details and to learn more about our firm.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors for making Alumless possible:

Protopia makes providing scalable volunteer engagement solutions simple. Their AI platform enables all of your alumni to support students and fellow graduates with advice and networking. Connect with their team by visiting protopia.co/alumless

AlumnIQ is the only all-in-one alumni engagement platform built exclusively for higher education. Connect with them to learn more about how they help institutions manage everyday events and email outreach, to online giving, directories, membership management, and seamless integrations.

Givzey is a simple-to-use platform that streamlines and scales multi-year giving and one-time gifts at every level to accelerate your fundraising team and improve the donor experience. Learn more at givzey.com