Presentation Descriptions & Speaker Bios
Keynote: "What Is This Analytics Nonsense, Anyway?"
In this session, Marianne will present examples of analytics projects and how they improve fund-raising.
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Marianne Pelletier, Staupell Analytics Group Marianne Pelletier has more than 25 years of fundraising experience, with the majority in prospect research and prospecting. She is one of the first adopters of donor modeling and data mining techniques. Her professional experience includes prospect research, both as a research analyst for Harvard and Lesley Universities and as a department director for Carnegie Mellon University and Cornell University. Pelletier’s multi-decade career also includes running an annual giving program with average increased revenues of 27% per year; and providing software consulting through the Datatel Corporation, teaching clients both how to use their new software and assisting them with better analysis and more efficient processing. She led the analytics division of the Helen Brown Group for over 10 years, and remains an associate. She has published articles on management, prospect research, fundraising, and personal growth on a range of platforms. Pelletier is a graduate of Rockford University, and earned her MBA at Southern New Hampshire University. |
Session 1: Using Engagement and Social Insights to Discover and Qualify New Prospects
As alumni engagement scoring emerges as the next big advancement trend, we'll share examples from institutions who are adding digital interactions to that mix. These forward-thinking researchers are identifying and qualifying new prospects through a better understanding of each constituents’ interests, social media engagement, and email and website interactions. Hear what researchers from organizations such as the University at Buffalo, the Oregon State University Foundation, Concordia University at Saint Paul, and the Oklahoma State University Foundation look for when uncovering digitally engaged constituents and how they partner with frontline fundraisers to turn likes, comments, and clicks into prospect pipeline.
 | Mike Nagel, EverTrue Mike Nagel believes that education changes lives. He loves what he does because his work expands opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. As the customer marketing manager for EverTrue (a software company that enables advancement teams to fundraise intelligently and effectively with access to better data), Mike works with schools to maximize their efforts and learn from each other. Prior to EverTrue, Mike spent six years at Phillips Exeter Academy as the associate director of digital marketing, helping guide fundraising strategy and online engagement at the New England boarding school. |
Session 2: "I Didn't Know Excel Could Do That!"
While most of us know that Excel is an incredibly powerful tool, odds are, you are not taking advantage of some of the features that can make your work easier while elevating it to the next level.
 | Matt Farrow, Southern Methodist University Matt joined the Office of Development Research and Prospect Management at SMU in 2013. In his current role, he serves as a senior researcher supporting the University's new major and leadership gift teams. He has previously supported fundraisers in several schools and units at SMU including the business, engineering, and humanities and sciences schools as well as the regional, athletics, and planned giving offices. Matt also serves as the vice president and communications director of Apra North Texas. Prior to joining SMU, he served as the Special Events Manager at the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County. |
Session 3: "Don't Get Lost in the Hype; Focus on Data That Matters"
This session will cover emerging trends in fundraising analytics and offer reviews and best practices for application. Topics will include machine learning, dynamic modeling, advanced moves management metrics, and campaign performance forecasting. At the end of the session attendees should have a clear understanding of what the different approaches can offer, and if they are a relevant fit to their organizations goals.
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Alexander W. Oftelie, Bentz Whaley Flessner Alexander W. Oftelie is a managing associate at BWF Insight, where he oversees all analytics engagements, workshops and trainings, and product implementation. His specific areas of expertise include predictive modeling, business impact analysis, survey design and sampling methodology, analytics training, and analytics implementation. His clients include Baylor University, Children’s Hospital Trust Boston, Children’s National Medical Center, Oberlin College, Minnesota Public Radio, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Oklahoma State University, and many others. Prior to working as a managing associate at BWF, Alex worked as a non-profit subject matter expert for IBM, and as an advanced analytics consultant for Gallup. At IBM, Alex specialized in helping clients understand and demonstrate the impact of business analytics on fundraising and engagement efforts of non-profits throughout North America. He is a recognized leader, speaker, and trainer for CASE, AHP, and Apra and holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Olaf College and a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota. |
Session 4: "Deep Data Discovery. Made Easy. Prospecting and Analysis without Having to Wait on Your Reporting Team."
In an effort to become more data-driven, Texas Christian University recently implemented a self-service data visualization and analytics solution for their Prospect Research and Loyalty Giving teams. Texas Christian University will share their experience to-date with their new interactive data visualization and analysis solution, including happy surprises and big wins in the first year!
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- The difference between reporting and data discovery and analysis and the role of each
- The “cycle of pain” and how to eliminate it
- Benefits of putting data into the hands of the people who need it most
- Creating a culture of analytics that takes your fundraising program to the next level
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Andrea Heitz, Texas Christian University Andrea Heitz has more than 25 years experience in Prospect Development. She has worked in Advancement Research at TCU since 1991. She was a founding member of APRA Texas and also served on the board of APRA Southwest for 5 years. Prospecting is probably her favorite aspect of research, followed closely by discovering patterns in data. Her passion is finding and sharing information that connects donors to programs and projects that meet their philanthropic ambitions, to help both the organization and the donors achieve their highest ambitions. Andrea received her undergraduate and graduate degrees Texas Christian University. Outside of work, she loves hockey and all TCU sports. |
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Daniel Ross, ADVIZOR Solutions Daniel empowers higher education and healthcare fundraisers to visualize, analyze, and act on their data to increase revenue, donor acquisition rates, and staff performance. Daniel loves seeing the light come on when fundraisers get insight into the stories hidden in their data. His adventure of life has brought him around the world in varying capacities, from leading a leadership training organization in Malaysia, launching a community transformation organization in Southeast Asia, to founding a social coffee business in Thailand and the USA. Currently, Daniel is a Senior Solutions Consultant with Advizor Solutions. Daniel is married to the love of his life, Shannon, and together they spend their time working and doing life between Chicago and the upstate of South Carolina. |