This Year's Conference is Sold Out!
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Schedule & Speakers
Timeline & Breakout Session Schedule
📍 Location: Ursinus College (601 E Main St, Collegeville, PA 19426)
⌚ 8:30 AM: Registration & Coffee
💡 9:15 - 9:50 AM: Opening (Olin Auditorium)
Welcome | Robyn Hannigan, President, Ursinus College
Keynote Discussion | AI in Advancement
Michelle Yurko, Vice President for Advancement & External Relations at Ursinus College will moderate this interactive panel discussion discussing AI's impact on Advancement.
👨🏫 10-11:45 AM: Morning Breakouts
10–10:45 AM: Round 1
Annual Giving 101 | Ivy Lane, Widener University
Strengthening the Pipeline: Mid-Level Giving Strategies for Higher Education
Chris Polito, Andrea Gonce & Joelle Te Paske, CCS FundraisingPlanned Giving: Tools to Make Big Dreams Come True | Lizabeth B. Macoretta, CHOP
Owning your Expertise: Becoming a Trusted Advisor for Internal and External Partners | Drew Kaiden, Plus Delta Partners
11–11:45 AM: Round 2
Fundraising Trends for the Health Sciences | Michael Criscuolo, The Wistar Institute
Looking Ahead: Marketplace Trends and the Emergence of Next Generation Philanthropy | Katharine Wiseman, The University of Delaware
Building Strong Campus Partnerships (Staff, Faculty, Leadership) to Maximize Fundraising | Allison Seeley, Ursinus College & Lauren Anglum, Drexel University
Donor journeys: green lights, crossroads and stop signs | Rachel Spencer, Vanilla Soft
🍴 12-12:45 PM: Lunch (included) takes place from 12-12:45 PM
Wismer Student Center, Lower Level
💡 1-1:40 PM: Full Group Discussion with Summer 2025 Advancement Interns
Olin Auditorium
👨🏫 1:45 - 3:30 PM: Afternoon Breakouts
1:45–2:30 PM: Round 3
Growing a Corporate & Foundation Relations Program | Joanna Elkes Pierce & Annie Schuster, Temple University, Temple Health
Maintaining Fundraising & Engagement Momentum Amid Change (Roundtable discussion, facilitated by Ivy Lane, Widner University) | Jim Gulick, Widener University, Tom Fithian, Saint Joseph’s University, Molly Robbins, Ursinus College
Direct Mail is not Dead! | Colin Waite, MCR & Amie Marshall, National 4-H Council
Engaging Young Alumni to Support Leadership Giving | Kasia Jaworski & Maddie Powell, Villanova University
2:45–3:30 PM: Round 4
Senior Class Gift & Student Giving | Kat Ciliberto, Villanova University
Donor Relations & Stewardship Strategies | Katie Otto & Christine Barringer, Ursinus College
Leveraging AI in Nonprofit Communications | Beth Brodovsky, Iris Creative Group
Grateful Patient Program: A Case Study in Donor Acquisition | Greta Bednarczyk, Penn Medicine
🍷 3:30-4:30 PM: Closing Networking Hour (included)
Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center Atrium
Please note: Breakout sessions and schedule subject to change.
Schools & Organizations Attending
Network & Learn From 40+ Schools & Nonprofits
2025 conference attendees represent the following schools and nonprofit organizations:
Archbishop Carroll HS
Archbishop Ryan High School
Archbishop Wood High School
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Secondary Schools
Caron Treatment Centers
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Colby College/On Track North America/ Climate Action PA
Conwell-Egan Catholic High School
Delaware County Community College
Drexel University
Germantown Academy
Gettysburg College
Holy Family University
Immaculata University
King's College
La Salle University
Lebanon Valley College
Little Flower Catholic High School
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Marketing Communication Resource, Inc
Moravian University
National 4-H Council
Nazareth Academy High School
Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center
Pope John Paul II High School
Princeton University
Roman Catholic High School
Saint Joseph's University
St Hubert's Catholic High School For Girls
TCNJ
Temple University
Temple University, Temple Health
The American College of Financial Services
The Washington Market School
The Wistar Institute
University City District
University of Delaware
University of Pennsylvania
Ursinus College
Villanova University
Washington College
West Catholic Prep
West Chester University Foundation
Widener University
York College of Pennsylvania
What to wear / bring
Conference Prep Made Easy!
We encourage casual attire representing your organization for attendees and speakers alike! The Conference Planning Committee will have a special surprise for the attendee whose attire represents their organization with the most enthusiasm!
Consider wearing your official nametag, to promote networking. Disposable name tags will also be available.
As you prepare, feel free to bring a favorite sample or swag item from your institution for our sample table, and any job descriptions if you’re hiring.
Pro tip: Leave your laptop behind, but bring your own travel mug (it will hold more coffee/tea than a disposable cup, and reduce waste!).
❤ 2025 Sponsors ❤
Thanks to our Generous Sponsors
Each year, a select group of sponsors helps make this conference possible by underwriting key hospitality costs—such as breakfast, lunch, and our closing networking hour—ensuring a high-quality experience remains cost-effective for attendees.
Join us in thanking this year's sponsors:
Marketing Communications Resource, Inc.
Please look out for our sponsors on July 16 and consider reaching out to learn how they can support your programs' growth!
Conference Planning Team
Special thanks to...
Michelle Yurko, Vice President, Advancement & External Relations
Ursinus College
Amie Marshall, Director of Annual Giving
National 4-H Council
Helene Baczkowski, Assistant Vice President for University Advancement
Holy Family University
Ivy Lane, Executive Director of Annual Giving
Widener University
Liana Nathan, Director of The Ursinus Fund
Ursinus College
Tracy Krentzman, Executive Director of Annual Giving
Villanova University
Molly Robbins, Associate Vice President for Advancement
Ursinus College
Additional Resources
Visiting Ursinus
Directions
- Ursinus College (601 E. Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426)
- Park in the Ninth Avenue Lot, accessible via the intersection of Main Street and 9th Avenue or from 9th Avenue via Gravel Pike.
- Click here for directions to the lot on Google Maps.
- Once parked, follow signs to Olin Hall, our main conference venue.
- You can also click here to open Olin Hall in Google Maps.
On-Campus Amenities
Campus Safety (Available 24/7): 610-409-3333
Wi-Fi Access: Select “Ursinus Public” and register your device with an email for temporary access
Quiet Workspace: Designated classrooms in Olin Hall will be available throughout the day
Café 2020: Located in Schellhase Commons, with Starbucks coffee and light fare (Open 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.)
Art on Campus: Ursinus is home to the Berman Museum and 80+ outdoor sculptures—grab a self-guided tour map and explore during your break.
If you're planning to stick around after the networking hour, here are some local favorites—all within 3 miles of campus:
Near Campus:
🍺 Troubles End Brewing – Craft beer, elevated pub fare, and a lively atmosphere
🍸 The Library – Cozy spot for cocktails and small plates
🍕 Forno Antico Pizza Napolitana – Wood-fired, BYOB, authentic Neapolitan pizza
🥗 Chow Bistro – BYOB, fresh seasonal ingredients, RSVP suggested
🍝 Collegeville Italian Bakery – Casual, hearty meals with a local vibe
Providence Town Center is only 10 minutes from Ursinus, featuring a wide range of shops and stores.