Transforming Donor and Alumni Engagement with Customer Experience Excellence

In an era where donor and alumni expectations are evolving, expertise in creating an “Amazon-like” experience is invaluable. Today’s supporters expect the same level of personalization, ease, and engagement they receive from top consumer brands. Applying customer experience best practices to institutional advancement will set organizations apart.

Sara is a leader in donor and alumni relations, bringing a blend of customer experience expertise and organizational development acumen to revolutionize how institutions connect with supporters. With twelve-plus years in development and alumni relations and seven years as a Customer Experience Professional Association (CXPA) member, Sara has become the go-to expert for organizations seeking to elevate their donor and alumni engagement strategies.

Sara’s expertise in personalizing donor and alumni experiences has earned her global recognition, including a CASE Silver Circle of Excellence Award. This accolade underscores her talent for operationalizing data to boost loyalty, improve retention, and convert non-donors into committed supporters.

A Certified Customer Experience Professional and Boston CXPA chapter leader, Sara’s approach is rooted in data-driven analysis and understanding of alumni and donor needs. Her ability to audit existing systems, implement new technologies, and leverage voice-of-donor programs has led to remarkable outcomes:

• Discovery of new donor segments and giving trends
• Increases in alumni participation rates
• Creation of new affinity groups and programs
• Support for a successful $1.8 billion fundraising campaign

With a Master’s in Organization Development and Change, Sara brings a holistic perspective to her work. She transforms organizational cultures, building environments that embrace change, foster support, and create community among team members.

For institutions looking to transform donor and alumni relations, Sara offers strategic vision, technical expertise, and proven results. Her success with large private urban universities demonstrates her ability to navigate complex landscapes and deliver change.

Sara’s innovative approach coupled with her ability to merge customer experience principles with development and alumni relations practices is transformative. For organizations ready to revolutionize their approach to engagement and giving, Sara is the catalyst they seek.