Workshops
2024 SUNYCUAD AI Professional Development Workshop
Join SUNYCUAD and your development, alumni and communications colleagues throughout the system for a one-day professional development workshop focused on AI plus current trends and best practices for higher education professionals. Featuring a networking breakfast and lunch, as well as multiple educational sessions.
Featured speakers:
Jill Vogel, Senior Philanthropy Advisor and Director of Development Innovation
Empire State University
Mallory Willsea, Chief Strategist and Producer
Enrollify
More to be announced!
Where: SUNY Poly Student Center, Utica
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024; 9am-3pm
Featured speakers:
Jill Vogel
Senior Philanthropy Advisor and Director of Development Innovation
Empire State University
Mallory Willsea
Chief Strategist and Producer
Enrollify
Kara St. John Tompkins G’23
Executive Director, Philanthropic Engagement
Syracuse University
Kim Infanti ’06, G’16
Executive Director, Digital Engagement and Communications
Syracuse
Speaker Bios
Jill Vogel
Jill Vogel, M.Ed., was recently promoted to Senior Philanthropy Advisor and Director of Development Innovation at Empire State University. Jill believes that education has the power to transform lives and that impact is multi-generational. As a development professional for over a decade, Jill connects alumni and donors with the university’s mission identifying opportunities for philanthropic support to match their philanthropic goals.
Before taking on this exciting role, she worked as an Advancement Officer at SUNY Empire where she successfully increased individual giving and played a key role in boosting grant support. Jill’s journey in higher education includes a significant tenure as the Director of Alumni Relations and Assistant Director of the SUNY Adirondack Foundation. She chaired the SUNY Community College Chief Advancement Officer Retreat for seven years and currently serves on the SUNYCUAD Board of Directors as the Secretary.
In the role of Director of Development Innovation, Jill leads the research and implementation of innovative strategy and technology for the Office of Advancement. She looks to connect with colleagues to learn about AI applications to make advancement work more efficient and effective. Additionally, she is developing an internal education program for university leadership to foster a greater understanding of the work and role of development.
Jill holds a Master of Science in Education Administration and Policy Studies with a concentration in Higher Education from The University at Albany and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Union College. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is active in her community serving as the President of The Conkling Center Board of Directors. She is looking forward to more exciting adventures in the world of philanthropy, innovation, and travel.
Mallory Willsea
Mallory Willsea is the Chief Strategist and Producer of Enrollify — higher ed’s largest podcast network. Her insights on best practices and new trends are informed by her sector research and more than 16 years of experience. Mallory has held executive leadership roles in ed tech and at agencies spanning customer success, marketing, and business development. Her superpower is building media brands to reach, educate, and inspire forward-thinking higher education leaders.
Mallory is an award-winning speaker on marketing and digital strategy, presenting at conferences including: American Marketing Association, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, HighEdWeb, eduWeb, and more. Mallory has a MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from the Medill School at Northwestern University.
Kara St. John Tompkins G’23
With 16 years of Higher Education strategic development and annual giving experience, Kara oversees the philanthropic engagement team for the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. Kara is also a faculty member for the Annual Giving Network.
With a focus in donor engagement, connection and multichannel communications, at Syracuse Kara uses data to inform strategy for the central team and school, college and unit partner teams to sustain annual giving and grow the support for future students.
Kara earned her BS in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Clarkson University, MA in Higher Education Administration from SUNY Stony Brook and an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University. Kara began her career at her alma mater, took her next role at SUNY Cortland and has now been at Syracuse University for the last nine years.
Kim Infanti
With 15 years of Higher Education strategic digital communications and marketing experience, Kim oversees all areas of communications for the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving and the Syracuse University Alumni Association. Kim is also the Digital Growth Strategist for Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting.
At Syracuse, she works with campus partners and alumni volunteers to share alumni events and news via email and social media channels. Kim develops new ways of using technology to promote the Orange Network and keep alumni connected.
Kim is a proud Syracuse University alumna, having earned multiple degrees including her BA in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science, CAS in Information Innovation (Social Media) and an Executive Masters of Public Administration. Kim started her career in news reporting until she found her passion to utilize communication and technology to help others through higher education connections.