On Alumless World, hosted by CMAC consultants Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton, we explore advancement in support of education around the globe. Our themes, topics, and guests provide views of alumni and donor engagement from outside the United States. Alumless World is published every-other-week with new episodes on Fridays.
Building advancement in challenging political climates with Serge Sych
On Alumless World this week, hosts Nicole and Ryan sit down with Dr. Serge Sych, Senior Lecturer and Pro-Rector for Stakeholder Engagement at the International Business School in Budapest, for a conversation about leading alumni engagement and institutional advancement during times of political disruption and uncertainty.
Drawing on his experiences as Vice President for Alumni Relations at Central European University during the school’s forced relocation from Budapest to Vienna, Serge reflects on what it means to build a culture of engagement and philanthropy in a region where those traditions are still emerging—and in an environment that can shift dramatically due to politics and global events.
The episode explores Serge’s work in pioneering integrated alumni relations models, launching Central Europe’s first annual fund and reunion giving program, and mobilizing alumni support to defend academic freedom. From his research on the professional identities of alumni relations leaders to his current role as an educator and CASE/EAIE faculty member, Serge offers global insights for advancement professionals navigating complex institutional landscapes.
Subscribe to Alumless World to hear the extended podcast conversation. Special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for more details about their unique approach to boosting alumni events and volunteerism.
4 Apr 2025
Leading advancement across borders with Emily Robin
In this episode of Alumless World, Ryan and Nicole welcome Emily Robin, Associate Dean for Advancement at London Business School, for a conversation about leading advancement in a global context. With experience spanning the U.S., France, and the UK, Emily shares insights into philanthropic cultures across different regions, strategies for building high-performing advancement teams, and how LBS is leveraging the “Forever Learning” approach to engage a diverse alumni base worldwide.
The discussion explores how institutions can balance global and local engagement, the role of digital transformation in advancement, and the emerging trends shaping the field of alumni and donor relations. Emily reflects on her leadership journey, her work with CASE, and the skills advancement professionals need to thrive in an international environment.
Subscribe to Alumless World to hear the extended podcast conversation. Special thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details about the technology everyone is talking about.
21 Mar 2025
Exploring educational advancement in West Africa with Louis Adekola
In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton welcome Prince Louis Omolayo Adekola, Founder and CEO of Edvant Edge Africa, for a conversation about the evolving landscape of alumni engagement in West Africa. As a leader in international education and advancement, Louis brings unique insights from his work as a Regional Officer for the University of Sussex, his experience as a Chevening Scholar, and his leadership of The International Education Africa Summit & Awards.
The discussion explores how international student recruitment influences long-term alumni engagement, the key differences between Nigerian and UK university alumni networks, and the emerging trends shaping alumni relations across Africa. Louis also shares strategies for building alumni loyalty in globally dispersed communities, the role of social media in professional networking, and how cultural perspectives impact philanthropy and alumni giving patterns in West African institutions.
This episode provides valuable insights for institutions looking to engage alumni in international contexts and learn from the innovative approaches emerging across Africa. Subscribe to Alumless World to hear the extended podcast conversation. Special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for more details about their events-and-all technology that makes managing signature programs simple.
7 Mar 2025
Engaging global alumni in institutional priorities with Jo Gardner
In our next episode of Alumless World, Ryan and Nicole welcome Jo Gardner, Director of Alumni Engagement at Imperial College London, for a conversation about how global universities can effectively engage their alumni in institutional priorities.
Our discussion explores the role of Imperial’s leadership and new strategic direction. Jo reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities of leading engagement for a highly dispersed alumni body and discusses how Imperial adapts its approach to different cultural expectations.
Ryan and Nicole also dive into the UK's state of advancement, highlighting emerging trends and concerns. Jo shares her insights on measuring success in alumni relations, how institutions can professionalize engagement strategies, and the importance of being nimble in adapting to generational shifts in alumni expectations.
Thanks to Protopia for sponsoring this episode. Visit protopia.co/alumless for more details on their revolutionary technology that’s got everyone talking.
21 Feb 2025
Activating alumni ambassadors with Fadi Ghosn & Loreen Bahour
In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton welcome Fadi Ghosn and Loreen Bahour from RCSI Medical University of Bahrain to explore the power of alumni ambassador programs to strengthen alumni engagement across borders. Fadi, the Head of Recognition, Careers, and Alumni, and Loreen, the Alumni Relations Team Lead, share their experiences developing and expanding RCSI Bahrain’s Alumni Ambassador Programme, which fosters connections among graduates in Bahrain, the UK, the USA, Kuwait, and Canada.
The discussion highlights the selection process for alumni ambassadors and growth, the challenges of engaging alumni across multiple countries, and the strategies RCSI Bahrain uses to maintain a strong sense of community among graduates living abroad. Fadi and Loreen also reflect on how university leadership has championed this initiative and explore opportunities for future expansion.
This episode provides valuable insights for institutions looking to establish or enhance their structured alumni ambassador programs.
Join us every other Friday for Alumless World, where we bring a global perspective to alumni engagement and advancement. Don’t miss our 30-minute bonus segment with Fadi and Loreen, available only in the podcast edition.
Subscribe to the podcast for extended conversations, and special thanks to AlumniQ for supporting this episode. Try out their events-and-all platform and schedule a demo at alumniq.com.
7 Feb 2025
Advocacy on behalf of advancement with Mandy McFarland
In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton explore the evolving landscape of alumni engagement and advancement with Mandy McFarland, Executive Officer at Educate Plus. Mandy shares how Educate Plus is expanding its membership across Australasia, providing vital resources for institutions looking to strengthen their advancement strategies. She also discusses the importance of advocacy, highlighting how the organization educates institutional leaders about the value of alumni relations, fundraising, and marketing teams.
Listeners will hear how international and boarding schools navigate the challenges of transient student populations, ensuring long-term alumni engagement and successful philanthropy programs. Mandy will reflect on her own journey in advancement, from her early career in South Africa to leadership roles in Australia, emphasizing the impact of professional networks and mentorship in the industry.
This episode offers a global perspective on alumni engagement, with actionable insights for advancement professionals worldwide. Alumless World airs every other Friday at 11:30 a.m. GMT, alternating weeks with Alumless. Subscribe to the podcast to hear the entire conversation, including an extended segment with Mandy.
Special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode!Show notes & Friday CheersThe Generations Defined - McCrindleA June of Ordinary Murders by Conor Brady
Holly Ransom on LinkedIn
Inga Peterson, GRIT coach on LinkedIn
20 Jan 2025
Educating on the importance of alumni with Maria Gallo
We’re excited to announce that our newest CMAC Podcast, Alumless World, is now live! Hosted by Ryan Catherwood and Nicole Kempton, Alumless World explores alumni engagement strategies from an international perspective, highlighting best practices, challenges, and innovations worldwide.
In this first episode, we welcome Dr. Maria Gallo, Founder of KITE-Keep in Touch Education and Research Fellow at Trinity Business School. Maria shares insights from her research and experience in alumni relations as we discuss the concept of ‘alumni potential’ and how institutions foster lifelong connections with their graduates. We also dive into global trends, cultural differences in engagement, and key takeaways from her book The Alumni Way.
Tune in every other Friday at 11:30 a.m. GMT for more conversations with experts shaping the future of alumni engagement worldwide. We alternate weeks between Alumless and Alumless World.
Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Protopia, for supporting Alumless World. Don’t forget to subscribe and join us on this exciting new journey! Visit protopia.co/alumless.Show notes:
Year Compass: https://yearcompass.com/
Year in Focus: https://www.thorpe-scott.com/year-in-focus
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