In this series, Alumni Podcasts Founder, Robert Curtis talks with professionals and thought leaders working in alumni engagement, advancement, development and community building. Each episode dives into the latest insights, trends and success stories with a range of experts from universities, schools, scholarship foundations and nonprofit organizations who are shaping the future of the industry across the globe.
The goal of this series is to share strategies and actionable ideas for Alumni Relations and Fundraising Professionals to drive results and establish deeper connections with their alumni.
Alumni Podcast is a media agency producing podcasts for schools, universities and nonprofits to engage their communities and give their alumni a voice. For further information visit: (https://alumnipodcasts.com/)
Alumni-Centric Engagement: What Works for Europe - with Maria Gallo and Jay Dillon
In this special episode, UC Berkeley Chief Alumni Officer Dr Jay Dillon sits down with Dr. Maria Gallo, author of The Alumni Way and newly appointed assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin Business School, for a strategic discussion on deep cultural roots of alumni identity and belonging. Reflecting on their joint seminar at Trinity College Dublin titled "Alumni-Centric Engagement: Exploring What Works for Europe," Jay and Maria unpack the structural differences between North American and European advancement models. Examining the distinct heritage of European universities, where multi-century histories and shared values supersede commercialized campus traditions, Jay and Maria unpack how former students remain connected to their alma maters long after graduation.
Central to their discussion is the principles of alumni identity. In her forthcoming book, Maria details the "Six Ts of Engagement" framework—time, talent, treasure, ties, testimony, and trust. Jay outlines his four-part litmus test for strategic alumni program evaluation. Together, Jay and Maria demonstrate how institutions alumni identity as a strategic catalyst to build enduring institutional engagement and support.
Curious? See where you rank in the 60-second Alumni Identity Quiz: alumniidentity.com/score (http://alumniidentity.com/score).
For more information on The Alumni Way Second Edition - https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-alumni-way-second-edition (https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-alumni-way-second-edition)
Connect & Reach Out:
Connect with Dr. Maria Gallo: Email maria@keepintoucheducation.com, explore research and workshop tools at keepintoucheducation.com (https://www.keepintoucheducation.com), or connect on LinkedIn.
Connect with Jay Dillon: Email jay@alumniidentity.com, access alumni identity resources at alumniidentity.com (https://www.alumniidentity.com), or connect on LinkedIn.
12 Apr 2026
Why Companies Should Build Alumni Communities with Jenn Pedde, PeoplePath
In this episode of Alumni Podcasts, Robert is joined by Jenn Pedde, VP of Customer Advocacy at PeoplePath, to explore the fast-evolving world of corporate alumni networks and community engagement. Jenn shares her unconventional journey into the sector and unpacks why relationships are becoming the most valuable currency in an AI-driven workforce. The conversation dives into how companies are rethinking employee lifecycles, treating alumni as long-term assets for rehiring, brand advocacy, and business development while highlighting the growing importance of storytelling, media, and consistent engagement. From the shift toward “career-long communities” to practical examples of what great alumni programs look like, this episode offers a sharp look at how organizations can turn past employees into one of their most powerful growth channels.
22 Feb 2026
Connecting Through Stories to Drive Engagement with Jen Davis
In this episode of the Alumni Podcast, Robert is joined by Jen Davis, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations at Joliet Junior College. Jen shares her inspiring journey from a passion for teaching to her current role in leadership in Advancement. She discusses the importance of storytelling in connecting with alumni, the impact of grassroots fundraising, and the evolving role of alumni relations in higher education. Jen emphasizes the need for colleges to value alumni engagement as much as enrollment and highlights the success of the Roots and Branches podcast in fostering community and connection among alumni. Through her experiences, she illustrates how meaningful relationships and innovative approaches can create lasting impact in the world of alumni relations.
4 Feb 2026
The Impact and Future of Alumni Relations: Katie Calvert-Jones, Head of Engagement at Kingswood School
In this episode, Katie Calvert-Jones, Head of Engagement at Kingswood School Bath and host of the Management Meets podcast, discusses her journey into alumni relations, the importance of alumni networks, and the evolving expectations of alumni engagement. She emphasizes the role of storytelling and community in fostering connections and highlights the impact of alumni on current students and the institution. The conversation also touches on the future of alumni relations and the significance of podcasting as a tool for engagement.
21 Nov 2023
Insights on Alumni Relations and Communications with Serena Mitchell
In this episode, Sarah's guest is Serena Mitchell, the Communications Manager at the Business School of the University of Sussex. With over 25 years of experience in alumni relations, communications, and public relations, she shares her insights on alumni engagement and the importance of communication campaigns in building strong alumni communities. Serena discusses her journey from central government communications to alumni relations, highlighting key milestones in her career.
The discussion then moves to the launch of the Sussex Connect alumni engagement platform, the strategies for creating an effective launch plan, and the impact on alumni engagement. Serena highlights the importance of storytelling, sharing alumni success stories, planning and understanding your audience.
She also delves into the integration of Artificial Intelligence in alumni relations, describing it as an evolving tool to assist in data analysis and PR planning.
4 Oct 2023
Cultivating Communities: Three Decades of Alumni Engagement with Christine Fairchild
In this episode, Sarah speaks with Christine Fairchild, an accomplished professional with 29 years of experience in alumni relations. Christine shares her journey from Harvard Business School to the University of Oxford, where she has served as the Alumni Director for 12 years.
Christine discusses the challenges and successes in cultivating strong alumni communities, emphasizing the importance of personalized engagement and continuous adaptation to changing alumni needs.
Christine highlights the differences in alumni relations between the United States and the UK, emphasizing the shift towards a more data-driven and responsive approach.
As Christine prepares to retire, she offers advice to her successor while reflecting on the remarkable impact of her three-decade career in alumni engagement.
18 Sept 2023
Alumni Engagement: Navigating the Changing Landscape with Chris Marshall
Sarah is joined by Chris Marshall on this episode of Alumni Podcasts. Chris is an alumni engagement expert and founder of Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting. Chris shares the best practices and strategies he has found to be effective in cultivating strong and engaged alumni communities over his many years of experience. He also talks the changing landscape of alumni relations post COVID, key engagement metrics, innovating alumni relations in the digital age with AI, and his work with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Team Alumni Association as we lead up to the 2028 Olympic Games in LA.
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