2022 Foundation Leadership Forum: Schedule

January 30–February 1, 2022
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress | Orlando, FL

Check out the program schedule.

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Sunday, January 30

All Day | Registration/Help Desk

All Day | AGB Experience

AGB’s mission is to help boards govern with knowledge and confidence. Visit the AGB Experience to learn about all that is available to you by virtue of membership. Get to know the AGB staff members responsible for the publications, consulting services, online tools, and other member services you rely on, and find out what’s new and what’s coming next. And, meet our corporate partners and sponsors to explore the solutions-focused resources they offer.

11:30 AM ET | Forum Jumpstart: Program Overview & Networking

For Forum first-time attendees and newly joined institutionally related foundation members of AGB, this orientation and networking session is a great way to kick off your 2022 Forum experience. Get advice on how to make the most of your Forum journey including an overview of the program, lessons learned from veteran Forum attendees and a facilitated Q&A. Connect with other first-timers as well as seasoned Forum attendees and AGB staff who will make you feel welcome from your first “hello” to the Forum’s finale. You’ll also learn about AGB’s member benefits and how to get the most out of your membership! We’ll be keeping it relaxed and social with lunch provided. 

Preregistration is required and space is limited! 

Speakers:
David Bassexecutive director of philanthropic governance, AGB
Lori Buckheisterformer foundation president and vice president for advancement, Georgia Gwinnett College; membership ambassador, AGB
George Wattformer president and CEO, US Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation; former executive vice president, university advancement and executive director, College of Charleston Foundation; senior fellow and ambassador to the Council of Foundation Leaders, AGB

1:00 PM ET | Workshops

Arrive early and get the full benefit of the 2022 Forum! These extended-time sessions are focused on topics of central importance to the roles of governing board members. Following a panel presentation, the participants in these sessions will break into small groups for sharing and networking.

Please indicate when registering for the Forum which of the workshops you would like to attend.

Successfully Leading Foundation Boards and Committees

Chairing a board or committee comes with its own set of expectations, challenges, and sometimes, the need for new skills and attributes. Whether you are in a leadership role now or are an aspiring chair, join this comprehensive, interactive workshop to learn about the leadership challenges, responsibilities, and good practices of foundation board leaders. Board chairs, committee chairs, chairs-elect—and board members who aspire to leadership roles—will engage with peers and experts through roundtable discussions and presentations about effective work at the full board and committee level. We will open with a plenary session followed by breakout sessions for a deep dive into specific challenges faced by committees.

Facilitators:
Jim Lanier, president and CEO, ECU Foundation; former vice chancellor for institutional advancement, East Carolina University; AGB Senior Fellow; senior consultant, AGB
Christine Devocelle, senior vice president and CFO, University of Illinois Foundation

Speakers:
Michelle Martinez, governance committee chair, Colorado State University Foundation
Tom Hyatt, partner, Dentons

Panelists:
Diane Seder, chair, The University of Vermont Foundation Board
Mary Vanier, chair, Kansas State University Foundation Board
Eva Tukdarian, treasurer, University of Central Florida Foundation Board
Jim Moore, president and CEO, University of Illinois Foundation; chief development officer, University of Illinois

The Formula for Success for the New Foundation Executive

New foundation executives are strongly encouraged to attend this precursor session to the 2:30 PM Peer Group Roundtables for CEOs/Executive Directors

The first 12 to 18 months following your appointment are crucial to ensuring your success in accelerating your effectiveness and building your relationships with your team, your board, and your university’s leadership at the same time you are executing on your near-term goals.  Regardless of your previous experience, you have a brand-new set of stakeholders to satisfy and expectations to meet.  This closed-door session will create a safe space in which to hear both from relatively new as well as veteran foundation executives as they share their experiences and hard-earned wisdom.  Be ready to ask your most pressing questions and learn from the experts and your peers about the key questions you should ask about your organization; the conversations you should be having; and the common challenges and opportunities you must be prepared to overcome and embrace.

Moderator:
Jane DiFolco Parker, former president, Auburn University Foundation and vice president emerita, Auburn University; senior consultant, AGB

Panelists:
Matthew Lambert, CEO, William & Mary Foundation; vice president for university advancement, William & Mary
Jane McIntyre Barghothi, president, Appalachian State University Foundation; vice chancellor for university advancement, Appalachian State University
Rickey McCurry, president, UNLV Foundation, vice president for philanthropy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

2:30 PM ET | Peer Group Roundtables for CEOs/Executive Directors

Member and Forum participant feedback resoundingly confirms that foundation chief executive officers and executive directors value shared time with counterparts from similarly structured and similarly purposed foundations. Over the past twenty-five years, it’s been proven that knowledge exchange among peers is where much of the greatest value is realized at the Forum. Therefore, come to this session with your most pressing issues, challenges and/or opportunities along with your willingness to share and learn. Peer facilitators will be on hand to guide the discussion. Join the peer-group session listed below that is most appropriate to the structure and purpose of your Foundation. Regardless of which session you attend, you’re sure to make valuable connections that will endure long after the 2022 Forum concludes!

Peer-Group Sessions

Community college/technical college foundations

  • Katherine Sawyer, executive director, Oakton Community College Foundation
  • Karen Kuhn, executive director, DuPage College Foundation

Integrated foundations (to include alumni relations/aligned alumni organizations, and/or “The Advancement Model”)

  • DeAnna Carlson Zink, president and CEO, University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation
  • Kristen DeVries, vice president, advancement and executive director, Western Michigan University Foundation

Independent foundations (investment/property managers; no, or limited, fundraising responsibility)

  • Cheri O’Neill, president and CEO, Colorado State University Foundation; former president and CEO, Ball State University Foundation
  • Mike Mlinac, president and CEO, University of North Texas Foundation, Inc.

Independent foundations (with fundraising and/or campaign responsibility)

  • Elizabeth King, president and CEO, Wichita State University Foundation
  • Cynthia Roth, president and CEO, West Virginia University Foundation

Large foundations ($1 billion or more in net assets )

  • Lynette Marshall, president and CEO, Iowa Center for Advancement
  • Mike Goodwin, former president and CEO, University of Oregon Foundation; senior fellow, AGB

COOs, CFOs, and other senior foundation administrators

  • Debye Alderman, executive director, finance and administration, College of Charleston; treasurer, College of Charleston Foundation
  • Beth Cantrell, controller, George Mason University Foundation
  • Susan Van Leunen, vice president and chief financial officer, George Mason University Foundation

4:00 PM ET | Break

5:00 PM ET | Welcome Plenary with Presidential Remarks

Transformational Giving: Donor Motivation in the 2020s

The greatest intergenerational transfer of wealth in human history is underway, and higher education stands to benefit from an extraordinary influx of philanthropic support in the coming years. Changes in transformational giving over the past decade included trends toward “venture philanthropy,” greater donor focus on “ROI,” and in many cases increased donor engagement and involvement. New trends are developing as well. Names like Scott and Smith have emerged alongside Gates and Bloomberg. What should we anticipate will motivate transformational giving in the years to come, and how might that change the work of foundations? Join an extraordinary cross-sector panel for a deep exploration of that question.

Moderator:
Shauna Ryder Diggs, chair, AGB Board of Directors; regent emeritus, University of Michigan

Panelists:
Javaune Adams-Gaston, president, Norfolk State University; trustee, University of Dubuque
Noah D. Drezner, professor of higher education, Teachers College, Columbia University; founding editor, Philanthropy in Education
Alfred E. Harrell, III, CEO, Southern University System Foundation; CEO, The Valdry Center for Philanthropy at Southern University

6:30 PM ET | Welcome Reception

With Thanks to AGB Sustaining Partner, TIAA

TIAA logo

Monday, January 31

All Day | Registration/Help Desk

All Day | AGB Experience

AGB’s mission is to help boards govern with knowledge and confidence. Visit the AGB Experience to learn about all that is available to you by virtue of membership. Get to know the AGB staff members responsible for the publications, consulting services, online tools, and other member services you rely on, and find out what’s new and what’s coming next. And, meet our corporate partners and sponsors to explore the solutions-focused resources they offer.

7:45 AM ET | Breakfast

9:00 AM ET | Plenary

Endowments of the Future: A Road Yet to be Travelled

The 2020-2021 pandemic changed our world. For higher education, it exacerbated and accelerated problems that had been festering for years. While the impact on educational endowments was relatively benign in terms of portfolio performance it also thrust endowment management and investing strategies into new territory.  With the global pandemic illuminating vast diversity, inclusion and equality differences across all segments of our society, the demand for responsible investing has grown in size and scale, and for many investors, presents a path forward. Foundation Leadership, including Investment Committees, now must grapple with the issue of how endowments can strategically help colleges and universities through the challenges of changing demographics, competition, enrollment and discern the role Foundations may need to play in helping legacy campus  business models to survive, pivot, and thrive.

In this session, join a panel of experts who will explore the endowment portfolio in a post-COVID world from the perspective of the trends, red flags, new regimes and new strategies that will drive investing and fund management in this increasingly complex environment.

Moderator:
Kathy Schmidlkofer, CEO and president, University of Minnesota Foundation

Panelists:
Megan Fielding, senior director, responsible investing, Nuveen, a TIAA company
Deborah Spalding, chief investment officer, Commonfund Asset Management
Mary Stokes, managing director and market investment executive, Bank of America

10:15 AM ET | Break

10:30 AM ET | Concurrent Sessions

Each block of concurrent sessions allows you to select from among multiple, topically-diverse options to customize your schedule and Forum experience.

Advancement in a New Era: Reinvented Playbook for Success

The onset of the pandemic in early 2020 forced advancement leaders to throw out their fundraising and engagement playbooks and start from scratch. Campaigns were put on hold; events were canceled; donor visits went digital.

What many advancement leaders discovered, to their surprise, was that these forced innovations often met with better results than their old operating procedures. The post-pandemic transition will reshape major gifts fundraising, campaign strategy, and alumni engagement.

As we begin, haltingly, to emerge from the pandemic, we find ourselves once again in a moment of reinvention. The question we face: How can we merge the best of what worked during the pandemic into our old in-person approach so that we reach more donors at a lower cost and with a greater ROI?

This session will explore new practices taking root at the most innovative advancement organizations across the United States, from hybrid engagement events and hyper-personalized annual giving strategies to different-in-kind development officer roles and new campaign models that break the mold of traditional comprehensive campaigns.

Attendees will leave with a better sense of the risks advancement leaders face in the coming years, the opportunities that lie in front of them, and the strategies that will help them grow engagement and giving from all their constituents.

Speakers:
Lavinia Boxill, vice chancellor for advancement, Rutgers University–New Brunswick; vice president, Rutgers University Foundation
Fleming Puckett, senior director, research advisory services, EAB

Unpacking the “S” in ESG

Environmental, Social and Governance is often thought of as one item, ESG. The course of events that began in 2020, initially with COVID-19 and then with rising social justice concerns, served as a catalyst for the decoupling of E – S –and G, and the recognition that each offers distinct factors and themes for analysis, reporting and dialogue.

This session will examine the “S” of ESG, looking at areas that drive competitive advantage for companies, including social trends, human rights and labor, through the lens of the global pandemic, and beyond; we will feature experts who work to uncover the value in “Social” in their investment work as well as in communicating that value to investors.

Moderator:
Ivy Flores, institutional business development, Nuveen, a TIAA company

Panelists:
Georges Dyer, co-founder & executive director, Intentional Endowments Network
Megan Fielding, senior director, responsible investing, Nuveen, a TIAA company

Are We Student-Ready? The Role of the Foundation

Student success is one objective all universities have in common. But what does that mean in practice, and what will it take to move the needle on student retention, graduation, debt, and career outcomes? Institutionally-related foundations have long been a relied-upon source of scholarship funds, but going forward they will need to be prepared to support students in less traditional ways too. From digital infrastructure to faculty development, student mental health services, and much more, foundation boards have a responsibility for understanding the value and ROI of diverse types of life-changing support.

Moderator:
Greg Willems, president and CEO, Kansas State University Foundation

Panelists:
Marcia Conston, president, Tidewater Community College
John Jasinski, president, Northwest Missouri State University
Meredith Williams, AVP executive branch, AT&T

Triple Impact – The Foundation’s Role in Bringing a University and Underserved Community Closer Together: A Case Study

With the global backdrop of strained race relations, the impact of COVID on underserved populations, and the growing disparities in education and healthcare outcomes, an institutionally related foundation found a way to bring a city, the university, and community philanthropy together to begin the transformation of two of the state’s poorest neighborhoods. The result was an initial investment exceeding $25M with a long-term target exceeding half a billion dollars, all meant to create pathways to better health and education, better housing, and stronger communities. The case study considers how and why some of the poorest communities sit just outside a thriving institution, and addresses how universities – through their foundations – can partner to bring grant and philanthropic resources to bear benefitting the university and its home community, but that neither could secure independently. The panel, including leadership from the university, foundation, and city, will share how an institution can bring an economy of scale to a grassroots effort to change a poor community into one that thrives and grows.

Moderator:
Ian Mercier, president and CEO, Medical College of Georgia Foundation

Panelists:
J. Ben Deal, chairman, Medical College of Georgia Foundation
Russell Keen, executive vice president for administration, Augusta University
Britney Pooser, director of outreach & inclusion, Medical College of Georgia Foundation
Steven Kendrick, chairman, Augusta, Georgia Economic Development Authority; tax commissioner, City of Augusta, Georgia

A Public Policy Town Hall

Partisanship and division have reached new heights over the past two years, in many state houses as nationally, and political vicissitudes have supercharged the challenges facing public universities and foundations related to public health and social inequity. What is the regulatory, judicial, and legislative environment into which our institutions will emerge as we exit the worst years of the pandemic in this country, and how can foundations position themselves to propel their universities forward? Come to this AGB Foundation Leadership Forum tradition, come to this session to think ahead and prepare for what may come. 

Moderator:
David Bass, executive director for philanthropic governance, AGB

Panelists:
Morgan Alexander, associate director of public policy and strategic communications, AGB
Brian Flahaven, vice president for strategic partnerships, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Janet Owen, vice president for government relations; associate general counsel, associate corporate secretary, University of Central Florida

Donor Experience Programs: How Nebraska Fundraisers Have Closed an Additional $1.2 Million in Gifts

Two years ago, institutions all over the country began experimenting with a brand-new approach to fundraising using Donor Experience Officers. The goal? Delivering high-volume, yet completely personalized outreach to thousands of unmanaged, disengaged prospects.

These programs are focused on building a sustainable future by expanding coverage of the giving pyramid, reaching previously untouched donors, and mending major gift pipeline, all while retaining existing donors.

At the University of Nebraska Foundation, three Donor Experience Officers (DXOs) manage portfolios of 1,200 of the next-best prospects, each with a goal of personally contacting every single person throughout the year, using pre-set outreach cadences. No travel, no committee meetings, no in-person events — these are fully digital fundraisers completely focused on delivering phenomenal 1-on-1 donor experiences to the prospects in their portfolios. This is high-volume, personalized outreach, and it’s changing the fundraising game.

The Nebraska team logs more than 400 weekly donor touchpoints, is on pace to meet with more than 500 donors this year, and has secured $700k in FY22 gifts. This year, Nebraska fundraisers have closed an additional $1.2 million as a result of leads discovered by a DXO.

Across the country, hundreds of DXOs are reconnecting thousands of alums to their alma maters. And the results speak for themselves. 81% of donors in DXO portfolios had never had a one-on-one conversation with a fundraiser. And donors that met with a DXO in the last year gave 98% more than they did in the year prior.

This session will highlight the implications of Donor Experience programs on our industry, how institutions can improve major gift pipeline by focusing on donor experience, and the lessons we’ve learned from the dozens of institutions that have decided there’s a better way to fundraise.

Moderator:
Brent Grinna, CEO, EverTrue

Panelists:
Brian Hastings, president and CEO, University of Nebraska Foundation
Nick Linde, assistant vice president, central development, University of Nebraska Foundation
Leah Sveen, donor experience officer, University of Nebraska Foundation

11:30 AM ET | Break

11:45 AM ET | Lunch & Nason Award Presentation

With Thanks to the Nason Award Sponsor AGB Sustaining Partner, TIAA

TIAA logo

1:15 PM ET | Break

1:30 PM ET | Networking

Dessert Social & Intentional Networking

Join your colleagues at the AGB Experience! After the Nason Award presentation and lunch, keep the ideas flowing and conversations bubbling over dessert and conversation starters in a casual, interactive environment. The AGB Experience is a central hub of activity throughout the conference and the ideal meetup location for new connections. As you journey through the Experience, you’ll discover the many benefits your membership affords you. You can test-drive digital member services, explore AGB publications, chat with a governance or search consultant and much more!

2:30 PM ET | Break

2:45 PM ET | Concurrent Sessions

Each block of concurrent sessions allows you to select from among multiple, topically-diverse options to customize your schedule and Forum experience.

New Industry Standards for Advancement and Why They Matter for Boards

In 2021 CASE published new Global Reporting Standards thatwill change the way U.S. institutions count andreport annual fundraising outcomes and help to establish new metrics for higher education advancement.  This session will address the fundamental reasons reporting standards matter for boards and advancement leaders,  provide an overview of the new standards and ways they will impact Voluntary Support of Education Survey (VSE) reporting, and explore new alumni engagement metrics and campaign benchmarking surveys that can help boards assess and make data-driven decisions about investments and returns on advancement. 

Speakers:
David Bass, executive director for philanthropic governance, AGB
Jenny Cooke Smith, senior director of AMAtlas Services, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Brian Hastings, president and CEO, University of Nebraska Foundation

Quantifying Good Governance | Highlights of a New Study by Commonfund Institute

In this session, Commonfund Institute leadership will share the results of the inaugural Commonfund-FGA Benchmarking Study of Governance in Higher Education.

The study uses the assessment tool the FEQ (Fiduciary Effectiveness Quotient®) to tap into the critical factors that drive board success. It provides the analytics to understand a board’s structure, processes, and levels of engagement amongst its members. It also highlights areas critical for performance improvement and provides a feedback system to assist in the improvement of current practices and communication. As an emerging field of study, the work focused on quantifying governance shows a correlation between good governance and investment performance; the research demonstrates that the best-run organizations outperform their peers nearly 2 to 1.

Attendees will see an executive summary of the study findings, as well as hear from participants about the insights they gained from participation and the impact it is having on their boards and performance.

Speakers:
Margaret Ann Bollmeier, president and CEO, MCV Foundation
George Suttles, executive director, Commonfund Institute
Juan Zabala, vice president for university advancement and chief executive officer, Lamar University Foundation

College Athletics Trends to Monitor

IRFs are often major stakeholders and supporters of university athletics. Come to this session to get grounded in the latest developments and discuss with top experts what they mean for the work of your foundation and board.

Speakers:
Carol Cartwright, former member and co-chair, Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics; president emerita, Kent State University and Bowling Green State University; trustee, Heidelberg University
Amy Perko,  chief executive officer, Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

Back by Popular Demand: Defining Meaningful ESG Analytics. Continue the Conversation with Emily Lawrence and Samuel Michalove.

As the demand for ESG data has grown, this session will explore insights on how to successfully integrate ESG into the investment process.
Key topics include:

  • A review of the ESG data landscape and regulatory changes
  • Identifying what matters in material ESG analytics
  • Acknowledging the gaps in availability of meaningful data and the efforts underway to close them
  • Cutting through the noise to define actionable ways to integrate
  • Using stewardship to facilitate greater transparency of meaningful ESG insights

Speakers:
Emily Lawrence, North American director of sustainable investing client engagement, Northern Trust Asset Management
Samuel Michalove, director of investment strategy & portfolio management, ASU Enterprise Partners

2022 AGB and SEI Study on Operations and Investment Practices of Institutionally Related Foundations: Findings You Can’t Afford to Miss!

SEI in partnership with AGB surveyed college and university affiliated foundations leaders to gather information on foundation operations, investment management, income and expenses, fees and governance. The findings from this survey are unique and not found elsewhere. In this session we will review the results of the survey and discuss corresponding trends in foundation management and how you can use this data to achieve better outcomes and support your foundation’s mission.

CLICK HERE for the 2022 AGB and SEI Study on Operations and Investment Practices of Institutionally Related Foundations

Moderator:
Frank Wilkinson, managing director, SEI Institutional Services

Panelists:
MJ Bobyock, managing director, Nonprofit Advice, SEI Institutional Services
Jeff Rountree, chief executive officer, UMW Foundation

3:45 PM ET | Break

4:00 PM ET | Concurrent Sessions

Each block of concurrent sessions allows you to select from among multiple, topically-diverse options to customize your schedule and Forum experience.

Navigating Trusteeship: North Stars for Stellar Board Members

In this session, we will look at practical applications of the rubric for effective board members from AGB’s Principles of Trusteeship: understanding board governance, leading by example, and thinking strategically.

Our panel of experts will:

  • Provide guidance about how to be a great foundation board member
  • Discuss the process for evaluating qualifications for potential board members and how and when to assess/evaluate them during their service
  • Discuss the qualities that you should emphasize in on-boarding
  • Provide ways in which you can unlock the talent of each board member

While anyone in higher education space can learn from reflecting on board service, new board members, governance committee chairs, and board chairs will find this session especially helpful.

Speakers:
Leonard Raley, president and CEO, University of Maryland System Foundation and vice chancellor for advancement, USM
Merrill Schwartz, senior vice president for content and program strategy, AGB
Ken Smith, board chair, Clemson University Foundation

Alternative Investments – Do They Live Up to the Hype?

The traditional endowment investment management model has a heavy focus on alternative investments, including private equity, venture capital, real estate, and hedge funds. These alternative investments often offer increased returns or a lower risk profile relative to traditional investments, but also typically come with higher fees. The question we often hear from investment committees is, do these alternative investments live up to the hype?  

Join our panel as we take a deep dive into the alternative assets space and the role alternatives can play in an endowment portfolio. We’ll look at the underlying investment opportunities that comprise the alternative investments universe, we’ll discuss the historical risk and return profiles of alternative investments, and we’ll look at the importance of manager selection within the space.

Speakers:
James Bailey, investment committee chair, Kent State University
Harold (Hal) Rosser, board member, Culinary Institute of America
Amita Schultes, partner and client portfolio manager, Agility
Trey Thompson, partner and president, Agility

Assess Climate Risk, Integrate ESG to Mitigate Risk, Build Resilient Portfolios

Resilient portfolios with well-structured risk mitigation processes should include a broad integrated ESG program. An important aspect of such a program is assessment of climate risk and analysis of climate impact on the portfolio. The Paris Agreement is an ambitious commitment to tackle climate risk and keep the rise in mean global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Most experts believe success will depend on adaptation and transition to a low carbon economy. The implication for investors will likely be significant, one reason supporting the growing momentum behind ESG investing.

This panel will discuss the integration of ESG into the investment approach with focused attention on climate change, climate scenarios and the risks to portfolios. Foundation boards, staff and Investment committees should ensure that the investment process and oversight is evaluating and incorporating such analysis. This discussion will help define that connection and clarify the materiality of ESG, sustainable investing and climate risk analysis.

Speakers:
Kate Cahill, board of trustees, Willamette University
Tim Coffin, senior vice president, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
Heather Myers, partner, non-profit solutions leader, Aon Investments

Let’s Get Unstuck: Transforming Donor Engagement

Well, it has finally happened: “We’ve always done it this way…” is officially the worst strategy in fundraising. We’ve all had to adapt over the past two years, but what changes will be permanent? Years of complacency with technology, operating in silos and recycling tired appeal strategies have put us at risk compared with more exciting giving options. What does it mean to be digital first? What does an energized donor pipeline to major gifts really look like? And how can we challenge the norm to increase the success of our fundraisers, retain top talent, and create a better donor experience? If you’re ready for your team to stop pivoting and start transforming, this session is for you.

Facilitators:
Karl Miller-Lugo, vice president for development and alumni relations, University of Texas, San Antonio
Meg Weber, vice president of fundraising, RNL

A Foundation CEO’s Guide to Effective Board Governance

Boards are ultimately accountable for ensuring IRFs become “foundations of the future,” but what can foundation CEOs do to position their boards for that kind of high performance? In this session, join the author of a new AGB book on this topic, written initially for college and university presidents—along with a seasoned foundation chief executive and one of AGB’s top minds on IRF board assessment to ensure translation of key insights. CEOs and board leaders are encouraged to attend this session together.

Moderator:
Cheri O’Neill, president and CEO, Colorado State University Foundation; former president and CEO, Ball State University Foundation

Panelists:
Carol Cartwright, president emerita, Kent State University and Bowling Green University; trustee, Heidelberg University
William E. Troutt, president emeritus, Rhodes College; former president, Belmont University; trustee, St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

The Magic of Matching Inducements

Join a panel of veteran CEOs/CDOs with over a century of cumulative experience to explore and discuss some of the most successful case studies in matching gift initiatives and campaigns. Unpack the research, data, and analytics of the effectiveness of gift matching inducements. Learn the secrets of success from the leader of the legendary “Phil Knight Challenge.” Discover how another university orchestrated an unprecedented 150% gift matching campaign. Examine how matching inducements are propelling Giving Days to unparalleled successes.

Moderator:
Lance Burchett, CEO, KSU Foundation; vice president for university advancement, Kennesaw State University

Panelists:
Steve Blair
, vice president for development, University of South Florida
Karen Cochran, interim CEO, UCF Inc.; interim vice president for advancement, University of Central Florida
Elizabeth King, president & CEO, Wichita State University Foundation
Keith Todd, vice president for development and university relations, University of Tampa

5:00 PM ET | Break

5:15 PM ET | Plenary

Public Investment and the Value Proposition of Higher Education

In most states, the recent influx of COVID-19 federal emergency aid funds prevented severe or continued cuts to public higher education. However, questions regarding how public higher education can and should be funded continue to dominate conversations among higher education advocates, including foundation leaders, policymakers, and the public, especially regarding equity and attainment. In this plenary session, panelists will share insights about the public higher education landscape and address key questions about public investment in higher education, ROI, and what it all means for individuals, our economy, communities, and nation moving forward.

Moderator:
Tony Williams, trustee, Oregon State University Foundation 

Panelists:
Michelle Cooper, deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs, U.S. Department of Education
Sue Cunningham, president and CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education; trustee, University of San Diego
Joianne Smith, president, Oakton Community College
Anita Zucker, chair, University of Florida Foundation Board of Directors; trustee, University of Florida; trustee, Trident Technical College; past chair, Medical University of South Carolina Foundation Board of Directors 

6:30 PM ET | Networking Reception

With Thanks to AGB Forum 2022 Underwriting Partner, Agility

Agility logo

Tuesday, February 1

All Day | Registration/Help Desk

All Day | AGB Experience

AGB’s mission is to help boards govern with knowledge and confidence. Visit the AGB Experience to learn about all that is available to you by virtue of membership. Get to know the AGB staff members responsible for the publications, consulting services, online tools, and other member services you rely on, and find out what’s new and what’s coming next. And, meet our corporate partners and sponsors to explore the solutions-focused resources they offer.

7:15 AM ET | Breakfast

8:30 AM ET | Concurrent Sessions

Each block of concurrent sessions allows you to select from among multiple, topically-diverse options to customize your schedule and Forum experience.

Ripped From the Headlines - Managing Reputational Risk

This session will involve attendees in an interactive discussion of how foundation and host institution boards are responding to reputational challenges that arise when events place them front and center in the news.  Best practices and survival strategies will be highlighted. Actual headlines and breaking news stories will be used as case studies.  Topics for discussion will include: pandemic crises and recoveries; cyber ransom attacks; compensation for the president; governing board conflicts of interest; dishonored donors; and sudden leadership transitions.

Facilitator:
Tom Hyatt, partner, Dentons

Institutional Presidential Transitions: The Role of the Foundation Board

This workshop will address the role of the foundation board in institutional presidential transitions. Designed to be interactive, it will provide guidance and facilitate dialogue on the role the foundation board should play as a vital source of institutional memory and key relationships when the foundation’s related institution undertakes a search for a new president. The workshop presenters include a foundation board member who will bring their experience during a leadership transition to the conversation, as well as AGB Search principals who advise clients on institutional and foundation leadership succession planning, search, and transition.

Speakers:
Mark Jones, executive search consultant, AGB Search
Jim Lanier, executive search consultant, AGB Search

The (Your University Here) Way

When the average tenure of a higher-education fundraiser is 18 – 24 months, what can advancement leaders do to create staffing consistency to maximize relationships that meet the needs of our many stakeholders? This session will outline a values-based fundraising philosophy that capitalizes on the distinct attributes of each institution, creates consistency and focus within the advancement office, and leverages the unique talents of each fundraiser and volunteer. to cultivate sustained relationships and maximize private support. Attendees will learn about “The Mines Way,” an integrated model that can be adapted to any institution, to help advancement shops retain their workforce and build engagement and investment.

Speakers:
Brian Winkelbauer, CEO, Colorado School of Mines Foundation
Doug Mayo, chief advancement officer, Colorado School of Mines
Howard Janzen, vice chairman and development committee chair, Colorado School of Mines Foundation Board

Next Generation Partnerships: A Strategic Alliance

A strategic alliance between Utah State University, a Land Grant in Utah, and Fort Valley State University, an HBCU Land Grant in Georgia, has helped to share knowledge and resources to enhance success and expand opportunity for the students, faculty and community members of both universities.

Join us for a facilitated panel discussion with USU and FVSU leadership on how and why these two Land Grant institutions formed this unique partnership. The topics will include how the universities are collaborating on research, governmental relationship and internship opportunities, outreach and extension support, and much more. USU Foundation Chair Marshall Crawford will facilitate the session and share how the USU Foundation Board is supporting this project.

Facilitator:
Marshall Crawford, chair, USU Foundation Board of Directors

Panelists:
Noelle Cockett, president, Utah State University
Anthony Holloman, executive director, FVSU Foundation; vice president for university advancement and director of athletics, Fort Valley State University
Paul Jones, president, Fort Valley State University
Govind Kannan, vice president for economic development and land-grant affairs, Fort Valley State University
Matthew White, president, USU Foundation; vice president for advancement, Utah State University

Investing for Equity: The Importance of Representation across Endowment Portfolios

People of color historically have been underrepresented in the investment industry and endowment portfolios. While asset owners promote equitable access to opportunities such as higher education through endowment support, the capital gap persists: people of color receive significantly less investment capital, and face bias in the underwriting and allocation process. At the same time, increasingly competitive investment markets necessitate turning over every stone to ensure you are identifying the most compelling investment opportunities. With the proper sourcing effort, investment process, and accountability, colleges and universities can grow portfolio diversity and secure investment returns for future generations. Hear from trustees, allocators, and investment managers on how diversity is enhancing endowment opportunities and benefiting all stakeholders.

Presenters:
Nisha Dua, managing partner and co-founder, BBG Ventures
Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, chair of the board of trustees, North Carolina A&T State University
Sherman Williams II, managing partner, AIN Ventures
Brandon Zeigler, director, impact, GEM

Updating Your Endowment Governance to Navigate the Challenges Ahead

Given the success of Endowment Management for Higher Education (EMHE) and the issues highlighted by recent developments, Strategic has published a new and updated version available at the AGB’s 2022 Leadership Forum.  This session will delve into some of the most pertinent updates including:

  • A roadmap on aligning your portfolio with your mission
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Importance of continually engaging with donors
  • Documenting your investment beliefs as part of your Investment Policy Statement
  • Educating on underwater endowment policies and potential impacts to the operating budget in times of stress

Other updates that will be woven into the discussion of the above include:

  • Importance of a solid foundation of good governance, trust, and communication
  • Reviewing the long-term asset allocation each year
  • Considerations as you build your investment committee

Speakers:
Nikki Kraus, chief client officer, head of sales and relationship management, Strategic Investment Group
Bob Shea, vice chancellor for finance and administration, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Horacio Valeiras, member, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Board of Visitors

9:30 AM ET | Break

9:45 AM ET | Concurrent Sessions

Each block of concurrent sessions allows you to select from among multiple, topically-diverse options to customize your schedule and Forum experience.

Enough Talk: Practical Ways to Combat Cyberattacks

It’s not news that cyberattacks have become more frequent, more sophisticated, and more dangerous. Like many others, foundations, colleges, and universities are frequent victims.  The risks are great and don’t need repeating.  This session will offer practical guidance to help protect your Foundation from cyberattacks.  Based on a new publication from AGB, Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards:  Key Principles and Practical Guidance for Board Members, panelists will share five guiding principles that a board should embrace to oversee their organization’s cyber risk portfolio.  Using the principles as a framework, you’ll leave the session understanding how your board can effectively direct and oversee the cybersecurity strategies of your foundation.

Moderator:
Beverly Seay, board chair, University of Central Florida; vice chair, AGB Board of Directors

Panelists:
Larry Clinton, president, Internet Security Alliance
Thomas Gilbert, chief financial officer, University System of Maryland Foundation
Matthew Hall, vice president for information technology and CIO, University of Central Florida

Implementing ESG in Institutional Portfolios: Navigating the Journey

While there has been much written and discussed surrounding the “Why” and the “What” toward ESG investing, there is less clarity around the “How”. Institutional organizations are consistently asking us how their peers are implementing ESG within their portfolios. What are some of the key decision points organizations are encountering when looking to implement ESG? And how are they navigating this journey? This panel is intended to help offer a forum of ideas around this relevant and timely topic and provide transparency around experiences and perspectives.

Panelists:
Shawn Dassel, nonprofit relationship manager, Vanguard Institutional Investor Group
Phil Laube, vice president for finance & operations and treasurer, Muskingum University
Keith Rohr, associate director of investments, Case Western Reserve University

We’ve Got Talent: How to Build and Keep Great Staff

Join an interactive session led by three foundation leaders who have each put a focus on staff success in attracting, developing and retaining talent. Each has worked with outside consultants to take differing approaches to building dedicated teams. The panelists represent different sized organizations and different structures yet the approaches are not size or structure dependent. The panel will address communication, creating a nurturing environment, diversity, equity and inclusion, compensation, and team building. Come away from this session with proven strategies to attract, develop and retain top talent.

Speakers:
Margaret Ann Bollmeier, president and CEO, MCV Foundation
Trishana Bowden, president, George Mason University Foundation; vice president of advancement, GMU
Eric Gentry, president, Northern Kentucky University Foundation; vice president for university advancement, NKU

A Presidential Town Hall

The work of our foundations was changing rapidly even before the pandemic. Now, having been called upon to support the work of universities in unprecedented ways, foundations are uniquely situated to innovate at the core of the enterprise, not just the margins. They are and will continue to be “foundations of the future.” As foundation leaders—and particularly foundation boards—take stock and look ahead to 2030 and beyond, to what will they aspire, and how can organizations like AGB be an essential resource? Come to this session to share questions and insights with national colleagues and peers.

Speakers:
David Bass, executive director for philanthropic governance, AGB
Henry Stoever, president and CEO, AGB

The Future of Foundation Board Development

Drawing on the latest survey results on foundation boards available from AGB’s Policies, Practices and Composition 2021, we will explore the future of board development with the goal of making the foundation “The Essential Partner.” The discussion will range across the most essential dimensions of board development, from composition (“the right people” with attention to greater board diversity) and new member onboarding (the Principles of Trusteeship, the foundation’s culture, regular board assessments) to the board’s strategic agenda (“the right focus” with appropriate board size, committee structures, and meeting agendas) and cultivating difference-making relationships (among the host institution’s CEO, the foundation CEO, and board members themselves) for achieving the foundation’s strategic goals in support of the host institution.

Moderator:
Tom Hyatt, partner, Dentons

Panelists:
Rae Mang, board chair, University of Cincinnati Foundation
Jim Moore, president and CEO, University of Illinois Foundation; chief development officer, University of Illinois
Doug Goldenberg-Hart, director of publications, AGB

Answers to a Tough Question: How Would We Implement Private Capital?

Allocations to private capital have increased, and the rise of institutional investor capital flowing to these strategies is profound. Some investors have challenged this flood of capital and the continued opportunity to find meaningful value in the space. A panel moderated by Chris Mattke from UNC Management Company, featuring Darren Spencer from Russell Investments and Nolan Bean from FEG Investment Advisors, will discuss how universities across the United States are successfully putting money to work in the current environment. Topics will include decision-making across various governance structures, strategies for identifying an appropriate allocation, and where opportunities remain and challenges persist.

Moderator:
Chris Mattke, vice president and managing director, investment operations and finance, UNC Management Company

Panelists:
Nolan Bean, head of institutional investments, FEG Investment Advisors
Darren Spencer, director and client portfolio manager, alternative investments, Russell Investments

10:45 AM ET | Break

11:00 AM ET | Closing Plenary

New Foundation-Institution Realities: Becoming the Essential Partner

New realities facing public universities in their essential work have accelerated the need for new realities in foundation-institution relationships. The work of the campus-foundation leadership team in cementing a trusting partnership and meeting emerging challenges together is the keystone for assuring constancy of purpose. In this culminating moment of the 2022 AGB Foundation Leadership Forum you will hear from an aspirational “Leadership Quartet,” representing four diverse institutions and foundations and learn from their collective experience and wisdom as exemplars in this era of New Realities.

Moderator:
Lynnette Heard, former executive director of board relations and secretary of the board, University of Cincinnati Foundation; Council of Board Professionals ambassador and senior fellow, AGB

Panelists:
Joyce McConnell, president, Colorado State University
Nicole Washington, vice chair, Miami Dade College District Board of Trustees; trustee, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Kimera Way, president, UW-Eau Claire Foundation
Terri Cofer Beirne, chair, George Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees

Get a preview of the conversation with keynote panelists Joyce McConnell and Terri Cofer Beirne as they discuss with AGB Senior Fellow George Watt how alignment of goals and expectations has led to a strong partnership for each of their institutions in this AGB podcast→

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*Member exclusive pricing.
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AGB is committed to excellence in member service. Should you have questions about registering for the Foundation Leadership Forum, contact the AGB registrar.

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To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Steve Abbott, director of partnerships or Amy Lynch, partnerships manager.

All other inquiries may be directed to the AGB concierge.