Navigating Uncertainty & Strategic Shifts 🤔

Change isn’t coming—it’s already here. Leadership transitions, restructuring, mergers, and crises aren’t just possibilities for higher education and nonprofits; they’re now the norm.

Meanwhile, the political landscape is shifting rapidly, with President Trump’s administration driving daily headlines that impact higher education and philanthropy. Policies, regulations, and donor behaviors are evolving at an unprecedented pace, forcing institutions to prepare for impacts on federal funding and public sentiment around giving.

MarComm teams are often at the center of these shifts, tasked with maintaining trust, shaping narratives, and ensuring institutional priorities remain clear.

During my eight years at Drexel, I navigated nearly every kind of disruption:

• A $750M campaign that was twice-delayed, then accelerated
• Development and implementation of a new strategic plan
• Post-campaign Advancement division restructuring
• Multiple years of institutional operating budget right-sizing
• An institutional merger, presidential transition, and academic restructuring
• Campus and global crises

Each challenge reinforced one truth: successful teams don’t just wait for change to happen and react—they help take the lead in shaping what’s next.

This week, I’m sharing practical ways to stay steady and strategic when everything else is shifting.

A Playbook for Navigating Uncertainty

🔹 Prioritize Based on Urgency & Impact

When everything feels like a fire drill, step back and ask: What actually needs to be addressed right now? And, just as importantly, who needs to hear it?

• Map your key stakeholders. Identify who needs information first and what level of detail they require.
• Set a messaging hierarchy. Not every shift is a crisis—focus on what directly impacts your institution’s fundraising and engagement efforts.
• Develop adaptable messaging. Ensure flexibility to adjust based on new developments.

🔹 Communicate in Phases

Big institutional changes—whether it’s a presidential transition, an academic merger, or a new strategic plan—create uncertainty. Roll out updates sequentially to provide clarity while keeping stakeholders engaged.

• Early transparency: Acknowledge the shift and outline what’s known (and unknown).
• Stakeholder engagement: Provide tailored messaging for alumni, donors, faculty, and staff.
• Reassurance & buy-in: Highlight the benefits and reinforce long-term institutional strength.

🔹 Turn Disruption Into a Catalyst for Innovation

COVID-19 reshaped donor engagement. Similarly, leadership transitions, restructuring, financial shifts, and changes in law and policy present opportunities to rethink and refine strategies.

• Audit outdated tactics. Identify processes that no longer serve priorities.
• Invest in scalable engagement. Explore digital engagement tools and AI-driven content strategies.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration. Times of change demand stronger partnerships across institutional departments, such as Advancement and Central MarComm.

🔹 Stay Visible & Fight for What You Need

During moments of uncertainty, Advancement MarComm teams must be part of strategic conversations, not just reacting to them. (I covered this shift in more depth in last week's newsletter.)

If you’re not in the room when decisions are made, you’re left managing the fallout instead of shaping the direction.

• Showcase your function’s value. Position your team as the bridge between leadership and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate impact. Leaders prioritize ROI—illustrate how MarComm strategies drive fundraising, engagement, and brand trust.
• Advocate for resources. Proactively make the case for tools, staffing, and support necessary to sustain your efforts (including external partners).

Takeaway: Change isn’t something to endure—it’s something to lead through. The best Advancement MarComm teams proactively shape the narrative, provide clarity, and keep stakeholders engaged even in uncertain times.

Advancement Amplified: AI for IA - Launching Next Week! 🚀

My new 5-part podcast show, Advancement Amplified: AI for IA, kicks off next Thursday (2/27), as part of Enrollify's 'Pulse Check' series. I’ll be joined by innovative advancement leaders and professionals exploring how AI is transforming donor engagement, storytelling, and fundraising strategy.

🎙️ Episode 1: The State of AI in Advancement Today
🎙️ Episode 2: Practical Applications for Advancement
🎙️ Episode 3: AI's Impact on Advancement Teams
🎙️ Episode 4: Strategic High-Impact Uses for IA
🎙️ Episode 5: The Future of AI in Advancement

First episode drops next Thursday, featuring:
​✅ Matthew Lambert – SVP for University Advancement at William & Mary and CEO of the William & Mary Foundation
✅ Dan Frezza – CAO of Institutional Advancement at the College of Charleston and CEO of the College of Charleston Foundation

Stay tuned because it's the only podcast series dedicated exclusively to how AI is shaping Advancement!

Final Thought: Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity

In times of change, the institutions that lead—rather than react—set themselves apart. Advancement teams that take proactive steps today will build stronger relationships, reinforce trust, and drive sustained engagement.

Whether it's preparing for leadership transitions, restructuring communication strategies, or leveraging AI for engagement, now is the time to act.

Is your institution navigating a major shift? Let's talk. I help Advancement teams craft strategic roadmaps to align messaging, engagement, and stakeholder strategy—so during transitions you're leading the change, not just reacting to it.

See you next Thursday!

Dan

P.S. Found this week's newsletter helpful? Share it with a colleague who's navigating change. Let's equip more Advancement teams to lead with confidence.

Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help:

🎯 1:1 Consultation: Book a paid 45-minute session to tap into 20 years of high-impact experience. We'll tackle your most pressing strategic challenge, and you'll walk away with clarity and an action plan.

🎤 Speaking & Workshops: Looking for a speaker, podcast guest, or workshop leader to inspire your audience or team? Schedule a free discovery call to explore how I can bring fresh ideas to your organization.

🔍 Strategic Assessment: Invest in an evaluation of your team, brand, or campaign—with data-backed insights and strategic recommendations to optimize your efforts and drive results. Learn more about my services.​