2026 Foundation Leadership Forum: Schedule

This session, featuring University of New Mexico Foundation and university executive leadership, will explore best practices for establishing the “essential partnership” between the university and the foundation. The speakers will discuss best practices for building trust and aligning strategies between the university’s leadership and the foundation’s board and executive staff.

The discussion will highlight the strengthening alignment and relationship between the University of New Mexico and its foundation and share how they collaborate and the practices they’ve put in place to ensure alignment and foster philanthropic capacity.

The conversation will highlight the importance—and the challenge—of consistent, intentional communication and planning. In addition, the panel will examine how fundraising campaigns can serve as a catalyst for strengthening alignment between university and foundation leadership.

Participants will leave with strategies for building a culture of alignment with campus leadership, an example of how campaign planning strengthened this partnership, and the practical benefits resulting from effective collaboration.

Facilitator:
Mike Goodwin, senior fellow and senior consultant, AGB

Speakers:
Tom Daulton, chair, University of New Mexico Foundation Board of Trustees
Garnett Stokes, president, University of New Mexico
Jeff Todd, president and CEO, University of New Mexico Foundation

Transformative artificial intelligence (AI) tools have become a critical force-multiplier for advancement programs to inform smarter decision-making and bring scalable, data-informed impact to the costly work of donor identification, engagement, and cultivation. This session will present a case study of how Fresno State’s strategic use of behavioral data and machine learning has become integral to shaping portfolio development, driving personalized strategies, and accelerating philanthropic outcomes across the institution. This transformation extends to initiatives such as optimizing the use of a virtual engagement officer and refining targeted outreach through video and personalized impact reporting.

Institutions of all sizes will discover how to leverage AI-enabled technologies to turn engagement insights into targeted outreach that inspires action, impact, and sustained relevance.

Speakers:
Mark Hobbs, CEO, Fundmetric
Brady Crook, vice president for university advancement and foundation executive director, California State University, Fresno
Rachel Crosbie, vice president, operations and strategy, Fundmetric

At least since 1945, a joint venture between higher education and government has shaped how the United States develops human talent, fosters discovery, and competes on the global stage. That era is ending. The present moment is defined by uncertainty of purpose and anarchy of action, as artificial intelligence is creating profound disruption in how schools, employers, and governments think about human learning and scientific inquiry. This conversation will explore ways a new postsecondary sector might evolve with the support and guidance of philanthropy as we navigate the fourth Industrial Revolution.

Speakers:
William F. Jarvis, managing director and philanthropic executive, Institutional Investments and Philanthropic Solutions, Bank of America Private Bank
Mitchell L. Stevens, professor of education, Stanford University; convener, Pathways Network; co-director, Stanford Center on Longevity

Foundations have played an essential role in student success, especially since the pandemic. Foundations have helped with emergency funds, scholarships for unmet needs, food pantries, housing assistance, clothing for interviews, paid internships, mentoring, and connections with governing boards and public officials. Hear from foundation leaders and key administrators from institutions highlighted in AGB’s 2025 Gates Foundation-funded project and report, From Oversight to Impact: How Governing Boards and Administrators Advance Student Success.

Speakers: 
Kemal Atkins, senior consultant, AGB
Nefertiti Long, board chair, CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation Board of Directors
Merrill Schwartz, senior consultant and senior fellow, AGB
Raymond Watts, associate vice president for philanthropic giving, California State University, San Bernardino

At the 2021 AGB Foundation Leadership Forum, University of Iowa Center for Advancement fundraising leadership shared how they were reforming major gift officer metrics and redefining prospect portfolios.

Guided by the board’s expectation for innovative data analytics, this effort was the first in what has become a larger data strategy that has resulted in:

• Consistent, actionable metrics for frontline fundraisers, supporting effective evaluation and career growth plans.
• Improved forecasting of fundraising revenue and return on investment (ROI).
• Execution of a campaign staffing plan that increased the frontline fundraising staff by 50 percent.

Now that the Center for Advancement has six years of longitudinal data, this session will:

• Discuss the initial analysis, highlighting collaboration across diverse units—a challenge and opportunity relevant to many organizations.
• Present the outcomes, including quantifiable multimillion dollar increases in revenue driven by data science.
• Engage the audience— including board leadership, talent management, data science, and fundraising professionals—in a discussion about key elements of success and how these strategies can be adapted to their own organizations.

Speaker:
Sheila Baldwin, senior vice president, University of Iowa Center for Advancement

Collegiate athletics is facing unprecedented and seismic shifts in governance, regulation, and legal exposure. From name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, revenue share, and athlete employment status/collective bargaining to compliance challenges and donor engagement, foundation leaders and board members need to understand how best to navigate the evolving landscape, protect institutional interests, and capitalize on new opportunities, all while continuing to ensure mission alignment. Regardless of the conference level at which your institution competes, this timely session will provide actionable insights for boards and foundations.

Speakers:
Jodie Ferise, PhD, partner, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
James Nussbaum, partner, Church Church Hittle + Antrim

Self-assessment is a critical tool to strengthen board engagement, culture, governance practice, and strategic focus, but to be effective, boards need more than just assessment data. They need to carve out the time to collectively process assessment insights, develop a shared consensus about challenges and opportunities for improvement, and frame a strategy to inform the work of the board, staff, and committees going forward. This session will provide an overview of best practices for board self-assessment and retreats and guidance on developing plans to translate assessment insights to actionable plans for board improvement.

Speakers:
James Lanier, senior fellow and senior consultant, AGB
Suellen Peluso, chair, Purchase College Foundation Board of Trustees

As advancement leaders confront growing expectations and tightening resources, the call to “do more with less” has never been louder.

At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) systems known as “agents”—which are capable of performing complex tasks that previously would have required human effort—are transforming how teams and individuals work, learn, and grow.

In this session, we’ll explore real-world examples of organizations—inside and outside of advancement—that are “hiring” AI agents to work alongside humans to improve efficiency and increase productivity. We’ll break down results and learnings, analyze budget implications, and discuss how integrating AI agents can create opportunities for human team members to focus on higher-value activities such as developing strategy and building relationships.

This will be an interactive discussion designed for presidents, foundation CEOs, and advancement executives interested in leveraging AI to modernize their operations and grow their results.

Participants will leave with:

• A clear understanding of what AI agents are and what they can (and can’t) do today.
• Frameworks for integrating AI agents into their organizational structure.
• Strategies to upskill and empower their teams alongside emerging AI capabilities.

Speakers:
Krista Raney, executive vice president of development, Louisiana State University Foundation
Kestrel Linder, co-founder and CEO, GiveCampus

Safeguarding donor intent lies at the heart of a foundation board’s fiduciary duty—and at the center of effective endowment management and fundraising success. Ensuring that charitable gifts are used as donors intended requires close, disciplined collaboration between foundations and their institutional partners, as well as the structural independence necessary to enforce compliance.

In today’s environment, that responsibility has become more complex. As institutions, states, and the federal government impose new restrictions—particularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other sensitive programmatic areas—foundation boards are increasingly confronted with gift agreements that are difficult or even impossible to fulfill as written.

This panel will examine a spectrum of donor-intent stewardship challenges, from monitoring and enforcement to modification and risk management. Panelists will explore practical strategies foundation boards can use to honor donor commitments, protect institutional relationships, and fulfill one of their most essential fiduciary responsibilities in a tense and rapidly changing legal and political landscape.

What you’ll learn:

• When donor intent collides with institutional policy, who decides and who bears the risk?
• How much independence is enough to truly enforce donor restrictions—and when do boards fail to use it?
• What is the fallout from state and federal restrictions, including DEI limits, on legacy and future gifts?
• What can foundation boards do (and what can’t they do) when gift agreements become impossible to honor as written?
• How can foundation boards protect donor trust in a high-stakes environment where missteps threaten credibility and fundraising momentum?

Speakers:
Roslyn Burttram, vice chair, University of Central Florida Foundation
Jennifer F. Cerasa, vice president and general counsel, University of Illinois Foundation
Margaret Jarrell-Cole, senior consultant, AGB

As artificial intelligence (AI) redefines what’s possible for higher education organizations, it’s clear that some are already winning. What’s their secret? In this expert panel, we’ll show you how boards and advancement leaders are partnering to acquire AI that aligns with the business model of institutional advancement and generates its own revenue.

Come hear from four advancement leaders who have all used virtual engagement officers (VEOs) and AI to grow philanthropy across their institutions. Along the way, we’ll dive into benchmark data, the evolution of donor perception of AI, and how to build portfolios that empower VEOs to bring dollars in the door at scale.

You’ll see the economics of why higher education institutions have so many unmanaged donors to begin with and what happens when you can measure an AI colleague on the same fundraising metrics and revenue results you expect from traditional gift officers.

Join us to understand how autonomous AI expands what we can expect from AI solutions and how institutions like yours have uncovered a new way to expand fundraising capacity and raise giving.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how boards and advancement leaders can partner to acquire AI that aligns with institutional advancement’s business model and generates its own revenue.
• Learn how virtual engagement officers (VEOs) can be used to grow philanthropy and expand reach across multiple institutional areas.
• Examine benchmark data and the evolution of donor perception of AI in fundraising contexts.
• Discover strategies for building portfolios that enable VEOs to generate revenue at scale.

Speakers:
Daniel Frezza, chief advancement officer of institutional advancement and executive director, College of Charleston Foundation
Brooks Hull, vice president for university advancement and foundation executive director, Texas State University
Kevin Leahy, senior director of marketing, Givzey
Judy Nagai, vice president, university advancement, San Jose State University; CEO, Tower Foundation
Matthew White, vice president, advancement and foundation president, Utah State University

After the enactment of a series of sweeping federal higher education policies in 2025, the focus in 2026 has shifted increasingly to states and institutions. This session will provide foundation leaders and trustees with an update on emerging state higher education policy trends, including evolving dynamics in higher education finance, changes in institutional enrollment, and a renewed emphasis on value, completion, and fulfillment of workforce needs.

Drawing on new survey data and interviews with state higher education leaders, the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) has released its annual Top State Priorities for 2026. This session will explore the report’s key themes, with a focus on macro-level pressures shaping state and institutional budgets, key federal policy changes scheduled for implementation later this year, and what these developments mean for foundation boards.

Participants will gain insight into how trustees and foundation leaders can anticipate policy shifts, align institutional strategic plans and advocacy efforts, and continue to prioritize student access and success in an environment marked by uncertainty and change.

Speakers:
Robert Anderson, president, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO)
Tom Harnisch, vice president for government relations, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO)
Cristin Toutsi Grigos, senior vice president and chief content and programs officer, AGB

By 2048, trillions of dollars will shift from baby boomers and the Silent Generation into the hands of younger generations. Diligent work in your planned giving program today can ensure your institution is poised to benefit from generous supporters during the Great Wealth Transfer. In this session, we will examine the structure and details of a highly innovative and successful planned giving campaign that recently concluded. The easy-to-replicate idea will be explored from all angles, including input from some of the donors who made it possible.

Speakers:
Marshall Meek, president, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation
Greg Greenwood, donor, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation
Jaena Greenwood, donor, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation

Private investments—spanning private equity, venture capital, real assets, and private credit—have become increasingly important for university-affiliated foundations seeking to enhance long-term returns and diversify portfolios. Are you leveraging all available opportunities to ensure proper diversification across every segment of the private markets? To optimize your private investments allocation, it is essential to think creatively about your institution’s approach. A thoughtful strategy not only strengthens your portfolio but also enhances how you communicate your investment approach to key stakeholders.

In this session, attendees will gain practical insights and learn from real-world experiences on managing diversified private investment programs within university foundations. This discussion will address how affiliated foundations can navigate the complexities of manager selection, operational due diligence, and liquidity management, all while balancing the needs of the university and the mission of the foundation. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for fostering collaboration between investment committees, university leadership, and external advisers, and learn how to position their foundations for long-term success in private markets.

Takeaways:

1. Methods for managing the full range of opportunities for private investment programs in university-affiliated foundations
2. Best practices for governance, oversight, and risk management in private markets
3. Approaches to manager selection, operational due diligence, and liquidity planning
4. Strategies for aligning investment objectives with university priorities and stakeholder expectations

Speakers:
Bonnie Kennedy, chief operating officer, University of Oklahoma Foundation
Sheila Ryan, partner, Cambridge Associates

The House v. NCAA settlement, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal are all radically changing collegiate athletics. Remember when venture capital was an issue for the investment committee? Now it may be top of mind for the athletics director. This session will bring together a panel of foundation leaders for an interactive discussion about the ways these changes are impacting foundations and ways foundations are adapting to the wild world of increasingly professionalized college sports.

Facilitator:
George Watt, senior consultant and senior fellow, AGB

Panelists:
William “Bill” Christy, vice chair, University of Central Florida Board of Trustees, and member, AGB Board of Directors
Warren K. Coleman, president/CEO, James Madison University
Patrick Kramer, vice chancellor, institutional advancement, Texas Tech University
J. Wayne Richards, chair, West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors

Foundation boards and donors can be the most persuasive of advocates for public higher education. Their philanthropic investments reflect a commitment to abiding institutional values and purposes. This session will bring together members of the AGB Board of Directors for a conversation about the top strategic and public policy issues impacting the sector and their perspectives on ways that foundations can partner with their institutions to advance policy priorities and champion the value of higher education as an inclusive public good.

Facilitator:
Ross A. Mugler, interim president and CEO, AGB

Panelists:
William “Bill” Christy, vice chair, University of Central Florida Board of Trustees, and member, AGB Board of Directors
Scott Jenkins, member, Illinois State University Board of Trustees, and member, AGB Board of Directors
Marie Sullivan, secretary, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board, and member, AGB Board of Directors

During a time of national reckoning for higher education and diversity, equity, and inclusion, Paulette Granberry Russell, president emerita of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), will offer a critical briefing and dialogue for higher education leaders. With state laws and now federal executive orders and regulatory guidance targeting higher education efforts to broaden access, opportunities, and success, institutions face mounting pressure to retreat from core values. Granberry Russell will share insights from her frontline work in this space and discuss how colleges and universities are sustaining inclusive excellence amid political and legal threats. This session will equip foundation officers and senior administrators with the latest developments, strategic responses, and a reaffirmation of the values that define higher education’s public mission.

Speakers:
Paulette Granberry Russell, president emerita, National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE)
Tom Hyatt, general counsel, senior consultant, senior fellow, AGB

Serving as a foundation board member or executive poses unique challenges. Boards have a fiduciary duty to serve the best interests of the foundation and a mission to support and serve the institution. Staff may be employed by the institution and report to the foundation or be hired by the foundation but report to an institution president. Foundations are called on to be strategic partners to their institutions but must align their own strategies and obligations to donors behind institution priorities. This session will invite participants to share questions and conundrums in foundation governance and engage in a facilitated discussion of the issues that are voted to the top of the list. Issues addressed may include:

• Roles and relationships of the foundation executive and institution president
• Relationships with alumni associations or other affiliates
• Compensation support for the institution president
• Entrepreneurs and risk management
• Donor interests
• Board composition, structure, and succession

Speaker:
Tom Hyatt, general counsel, senior consultant, and senior fellow, AGB

In today’s rapidly changing financial environment, higher education foundations face unprecedented challenges that demand robust preparation and strategic foresight. From unpredictable donor support to shifting enrollment trends and volatile markets, the need for proactive stress testing and scenario planning has never been greater. This session will explore ways to help safeguard your mission and finances in uncertain times. You’ll learn about:

• Focusing on effective management of endowment spending and institutional liquidity.
• Developing flexible liquidity strategies to safeguard critical academic and operational expenditures.
• Applying sophisticated modeling tools and technologies for stress testing scenarios and enabling responsive portfolio adjustments in the face of evolving financial landscapes.

Speakers:
Susan Rucker, chief financial officer, William & Mary Business School Foundation
Tiffany Vickers, interim associate vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and interim executive vice president, University of Nevada Las Vegas Foundation
Kathleen Walters, managing director of nonprofit advice, higher education, SEI

This session will explore the questions that are top of mind for institutional investors today and engage members of foundation investment committees in a conversation about their perspectives on current market conditions, allocation strategy, and ways they are addressing current challenges and opportunities. Topics will include:

• Public markets: Managing equity market concentration and tighter spreads in fixed income
• Private markets: Navigating liquidity challenges and the evolving opportunity set
• Spending: Tension between long-term horizon, short-term university needs, and more variable spending needs
• Portfolio construction and governance: Simplifying portfolios to improve transparency, risk management, and investment outcomes

Facilitator:
Ned Rosenman, managing director, BlackRock

Panelists:
Brad Bernstein, vice chair, University of South Florida Foundation
Edward Ng, head of Americas endowments and foundations and healthcare OCIO, BlackRock
Barbara A. McKenzie, investment committee chair, University of Iowa Center for Advancement

Throughout this conference, sessions have explored the rapidly changing landscape of public higher education. Evolving business models, the professionalization of athletics, the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, changing demographics, macroeconomic trends, and donor interests will all impact the ways colleges and universities engage constituents and raise private support. This session will bring together a panel of advancement leaders to address the question of how higher education philanthropy will evolve in the next 10 to 15 years.

Facilitator:
Cara Giacomini, vice president, data, research, and technology, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Panelists:
Jonathan L. Greenblatt, chair, UConn Foundation
Larissa Holtmyer Jones, president and CEO, Iowa State University Foundation
Pete Lasher, principal, Huron Global Philanthropy

The very first public university foundation was created to help an institution take advantage of a philanthropic bargain—the sale of real estate made the future campus possible. While foundations can be a great strategic partner in real estate ventures, such work can also come with enormous risks. This session will share innovative approaches to real estate financing that have enabled the College of Charleston Foundation to advance the strategic priorities of the college in a highly competitive real estate market. The session will also outline questions that boards should ask to ensure that real estate ventures don’t create a drag on foundation finances or expose the foundation to undue risk.

Speakers:
Anthony Barbar, senior consultant, AGB; chair emeritus, Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees
Keith Sauls, chair, College of Charleston Foundation Board of Directors

Foundation boards face mounting pressures: donor expectations, shifting business models, and high-stakes reputational risks. Many governance challenges stem not from a lack of expertise, but from unaddressed values conflicts and unstructured debate. This session will provide a roadmap for purposeful training in constructive dialogue that equips boards to navigate disagreement, avoid decision relitigation, and maintain strategic clarity when it matters most. Constructive dialogue introduces a practical framework for strengthening board norms, building core dialogue skills, and using values-based listening to improve deliberation.

Attendees will learn:

• The reasons constructive dialogue is now essential for effective foundation governance.
• The ways values, not data, often drive recurring board conflicts.
• Practical steps to structure discussions and strengthen norms.
• A communication technique trustees can apply immediately in high-stakes conversations.

Speaker:
Mylien Duong, vice president of research and innovation, Constructive Dialogue Institute