Why the Most Strategic Teams Don't Wait to Be Asked Part 3 of 3: From Support to Strategy There’s a moment many Advancement MarComm professionals reach—especially those striving to evolve their teams—when something clicks:They stop asking, “How do we prove our value?” And instead start wondering, “What if we stopped asking for permission all the time and just started shaping the strategy?” Many teams are still stuck in the “order-taker” trap. Others have changed their naming or restructured...
24 days ago • 4 min read
Structure, Strategy, & Silos—Oh My! Part 2 of 3: From Support to Strategy Last week, we explored how teams are labeled—and what those labels reveal about how your team is treated and empowered (or not). But titles only tell part of the story. Structure tells the truth. Who your team reports to, who they collaborate with, and how their work is prioritized reveals far more. I’ve worked with teams embedded in Central MarComm, others nested in Advancement, and still others scattered across...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
What's in a Name? How Your Team's Label Reveals its Role. Part 1 of 3: From Support to Strategy Over the years, I’ve worked with teams labeled development communications, development marketing and communications, advancement communications, and advancement marketing & communications. Organizations use different labels. But the more telling difference? How those teams are treated, and more importantly, what they’re empowered to influence. Many of you reading this are part of—or have been part...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
The Power You Build: Volume vs. Value I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the kind of power we rely on to move things forward, especially as I’ve been working with a private prep school to develop both their brand and a new strategic plan. It’s a community rooted in tradition and relationships, with a deep sense of purpose and ambition for growth. And as we’ve begun mapping the path ahead—drawing in voices from across the school—one thing has become clear: The way we build alignment...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
👋 Welcome + Why This Issue Matters Over the last five months, this newsletter has become a trusted resource for higher education and nonprofit leaders looking for strategic clarity and practical guidance. Whether you’ve been here since Issue 1 or just signed up recently, this week’s edition offers a quick reset—a curated collection of five issues that readers have found especially helpful. These ideas have also shown up in my presentations and consulting engagements, and they continue to...
2 months ago • 3 min read
The Quiet Driver Behind High-Performing Teams Over the past few months, I’ve had a number of conversations with advancement leaders who keep circling the same essential question: “What makes a MarComm team truly high-performing?” Not just competent. Not just creative. But consistently impactful. And while there are always important nuances—culture, chemistry, capacity, experience, resources—one attribute comes up every time: Clarity. Clarity of purpose.Clarity of expectations.Clarity of...
2 months ago • 3 min read
More Money, Fewer Donors A recent data drop from the AFP's Fundraising Effectiveness Project made me pause—and maybe it should make you pause, too. It confirms what many of us have sensed for a while: giving continues to trend up, but loyalty is shrinking. The dollars may look good in a fiscal year-end or president's report. But beneath them is a quieter story—an erosion of trust, connection, and commitment. This really clicked during a run on Monday while listening to a podcast about the...
2 months ago • 3 min read
The Campaign Is the Catalyst With public skepticism around the value of higher education—and a U.S. administration slashing research funding while targeting institutions with large endowments—it’s understandable why many universities are considering delaying or downplaying their fundraising campaigns. The timing doesn't feel right.The support isn't guaranteed.The board might hesitate.The optics are tricky. Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with many senior advancement leaders—people who...
3 months ago • 3 min read
The One Thing That Can Make or Break Your Campaign Why do some campaigns take off while others fall flat—even with similar resources? It's not the budget.It's not the creative.It's not even the strategy. It's internal trust. Before any campaign captures the public's attention, it needs buy-in from the people behind the scenes. Without internal alignment, even the best-laid strategies can unravel quickly. And given how high-profile campaigns are, a failed one can do serious damage—to...
3 months ago • 3 min read