2026 Advancement Retreat: The Arc of Advancement

Ann Snyder is the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at NAIS. Before joining NAIS, she worked as a school strategy consultant, advising boards and senior leadership teams on advancing their schools’ enrollment, marketing, and development goals. Before that, Ann served as the Senior Director of Engagement at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), where she was recognized globally as an industry expert, thought leader, and trusted resource for schools.

Prior to joining CASE, Ann was Director of External Affairs at Stuart Hall School in Virginia. With nearly 20 years of experience in student and family marketing, advancement, enrollment, financial aid, and external affairs, Ann is a seasoned school leader and industry expert. Working with hundreds of schools over the past decade, Ann has a proven track record of coaching schools to meet ambitious goals. In her time at Stuart Hall, she brought a corporate sensibility and entrepreneurial mindset to increase revenue by nearly 20% in her first three years, further the school’s mission, streamline the school’s external offices, manage and direct international enrollment and fundraising strategy, and develop strategy for the school’s first significant marketing and campaign efforts.

Ann’s professional speaking and facilitation engagements in addition to CASE have included events for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Business Officers Association (NBOA), the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE), the Association of American Schools in South America (AMISA), and regional associations throughout the United States. 

Ann is currently a member of the board of the Small Boarding Schools Association.

Learn more at www.annsnyderconsulting.org 

As Vice President of Member Relations, Christina oversees the Enrollment Management Association’s (EMA) membership, business development, professional development, marketing and communications teams, providing programs and resources for over 1,200 independent schools and over 20,000 members. This includes EMA’s Annual Conference, Global Recruitment Fairs, Annual Reports and Data Dashboards, The Yield magazine, and related strategic initiatives. 

In September 2024, EMA and the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) announced their intent to merge, which recently received regulatory approval. Once the merger is finalized in spring 2026, EMA and ERB will merge to become E3n, a nonprofit organization designed to strengthen independent school communities and deliver innovative solutions for schools, leaders, students, and families (E3n.org). 

With over twenty years in the education sector, Christina is passionate about EMA’s transformative work to support enrollment professionals, school leaders, community-based organizations, students, and families. As an industry thought leader, Christina has presented at numerous regional, national, and global conferences and events. She is also the host of EMA’s Enrollment Spectrum Podcast. 

Before joining EMA in 2016, Christina served as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Proctor Academy in Andover, New Hampshire. During her 11 years at Proctor Academy, she was the head coach of the girls’ varsity ice hockey team, the girls’ varsity lacrosse assistant coach, student advisor, and dorm parent. Christina served as the President of the New England Prep School Girls’ Ice Hockey Association and was the New England Tournament Director. Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, with a minor in education, from Colby College and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of New Hampshire.

presented by: Michael Lomuscio, Senior Consultant for AI and LLMs, MehtaCognition

This lab dives into the admissions funnel from inquiry to yield, showing staff how AI can summarize files, tailor communications, and surface mission-fit insights in seconds. Participants practice prompts that respect nuance while speeding up repetitive tasks—freeing counselors to focus on relationship building and strategic outreach.

presented by: Drew Cocco, Director of Client Success, Clarity and RedefineED

Pennsylvania has several state tax credit scholarship programs that function very similarly to vouchers, allowing schools to provide access and affordability to families without relying solely on institutional discounted dollars. For many schools, it can seem daunting to develop plans and strategies for accessing those funds and incorporating them into their advancement, enrollment, and financial aid efforts. In this session, we will walk through the essentials that schools need in order to first access, and then incorporate tax credit scholarship dollars into their Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) planning.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Development & Advancement Track

presented by:

• Hudson Flynn, Sr. Marketing Manger, Boost My School
• Wendy Waltman, Director for Annual Giving, The Academy of Notre Dame

Everyone loves a fun School Spirit Week, but how do you get that same hype for Giving Week? The answer is simple: do both at the same time. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is here to show you how they tied school traditions and celebratory activities into reasons to give. This change made an immediate impact on their Giving Week, resulting in $243k raised and 427 supporters (107% of goal!), 77 of which were first time donors. 

This session is ideal for teams, both big and small, that want to learn how to tie school spirit into student engagement and parent/alumni giving. We will dive into Notre Dame’s strategies, from dress down day challenges to ribbon-covered trophies to broadway-themed skits, and explain how you can apply these ideas to your own school. By the end of this session, you will leave with a framework for integrating giving into your spirit week, plus a series of tactics that leverage celebration as a powerful tool for giving.

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

presented by: Tower Hill School

• Kristin Mumford, Director of Institutional Advancement
• Julie Donohue, Director of the Annual Fund

In this session, we will discuss a strategic way to approach Giving Days in order to maximize  fundraising results. Fundraising for your Annual Fund has its distinct challenges - and as participation gifts have started to drop off in numbers and a new generation of parent donors enter the picture, it is becoming more important to inspire and build community around your Annual Giving program. 

In this session, we will review and identify unique opportunities to do just that - starting from learning how to identify a signature day for your community, building a robust marketing and communication plan, engaging your leadership donors, creating challenges that inspire participation by all constituencies and rolling out your updates along the way. This session will help to strengthen Giving Days that you already have in place - and/or help you identify when to have a Giving Day at your school!

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

presented by:

• Hudson Flynn, Sr. Marketing Manger, Boost My School
• Wendy Waltman, Director for Annual Giving, The Academy of Notre Dame

Everyone loves a fun School Spirit Week, but how do you get that same hype for Giving Week? The answer is simple: do both at the same time. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is here to show you how they tied school traditions and celebratory activities into reasons to give. This change made an immediate impact on their Giving Week, resulting in $243k raised and 427 supporters (107% of goal!), 77 of which were first time donors. 

This session is ideal for teams, both big and small, that want to learn how to tie school spirit into student engagement and parent/alumni giving. We will dive into Notre Dame’s strategies, from dress down day challenges to ribbon-covered trophies to broadway-themed skits, and explain how you can apply these ideas to your own school. By the end of this session, you will leave with a framework for integrating giving into your spirit week, plus a series of tactics that leverage celebration as a powerful tool for giving.

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

 presented by: 

• Matt Heckendorn, President, Heckendorn Shiles Architects
• Kirk Smothers, Head of School, Delaware Valley Friends School
• Jared Bookhamer, Associate Principal, Heckendorn Shiles Architects

Capital projects are among the most visible—and consequential—investments a school can make, and whether you’re contemplating a major renovation, planning a phased campus expansion, or seeking to future-proof your facilities, this session offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how successful projects move from aspiration to execution. Drawing on DV Friends’ recent construction projects, Heckendorn Shiles Architects will walk participants through the full lifecycle of a capital project, from engaging stakeholders and aligning facilities needs with institutional strategy, to translating vision into phased campus plans; exploring funding strategies such as tax-exempt bonds, RACP, and capital campaigns; navigating design development, land use approvals, and bidding; and managing active construction on a live campus. Along the way, presenters will share candid reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and what schools should consider next time, equipping advancement leaders with practical guidance, real-world examples, and a clearer roadmap for moving capital projects from concept to completion with confidence.

Development & Advancement Track

presented by: 

• Abby Webster, Vice President, The Curtis Group
• Kate Hildebrand, Consultant, The Curtis Group

School fundraising is evolving—and so are the expectations of parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends. In today’s philanthropic landscape, authentic relationships and meaningful engagement matter more than ever. The way you ask can be the difference between a one-time gift and a lasting partnership that strengthens your school for generations.

Join The Curtis Group Vice President, Abby Webster, and Consultant, Kate Hildebrand, for a dynamic and practical session designed specifically for independent school advancement professionals. This workshop demystifies the art of the ask and equips you with strategies to secure stronger, more meaningful support for your school’s mission and students.

Drawing on The Curtis Group’s 37 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations raise millions, this session explores how to build trust, understand donor motivations, and tailor an ask that connects personal values to your school’s priorities. Participants will walk through the essential stages of a successful solicitation—cultivating, preparing, asking, closing, and stewarding—with real-world examples and ready-to-use tips.

We’ll tackle questions such as:• How do I know when the donor is ready to give?• What language resonates most in a school community?• How do I navigate hesitation or “not right now”?• How do I deepen engagement and stewardship after the gift?

You’ll leave with practical tools, sample language, and renewed confidence to lead your next donor conversation—whether securing annual fund participation, a leadership gift, or a transformational campaign commitment that advances your school’s future.

Development & Advancement Track

presented by: Tower Hill School

• Kristin Mumford, Director of Institutional Advancement
• Julie Donohue, Director of the Annual Fund

In this session, we will discuss a strategic way to approach Giving Days in order to maximize  fundraising results. Fundraising for your Annual Fund has its distinct challenges - and as participation gifts have started to drop off in numbers and a new generation of parent donors enter the picture, it is becoming more important to inspire and build community around your Annual Giving program. 

In this session, we will review and identify unique opportunities to do just that - starting from learning how to identify a signature day for your community, building a robust marketing and communication plan, engaging your leadership donors, creating challenges that inspire participation by all constituencies and rolling out your updates along the way. This session will help to strengthen Giving Days that you already have in place - and/or help you identify when to have a Giving Day at your school!

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

presented by: 

• Kelly Grattan, PhD, Senior Vice President,  Schultz & Williams
• Greg Wilson, Senior Consultant, Schultz & Williams

In today’s rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape, independent schools must be more strategic, data-informed, and mission-aligned than ever before when preparing for a major fundraising campaign – be it capital, endowment, or comprehensive. This session will provide a concise, practical roadmap for heads of school, trustees, and advancement professionals as they lay the groundwork for their next significant campaign.

Participants will learn the essential steps for campaign readiness, beginning with assessing institutional vision and strategic priorities, supporting those priorities with the necessary business and master planning activities, strengthening governance, and aligning leadership around a clear and compelling case for support. We will explore best practices in preparing for and conducting a campaign feasibility study, segmenting and analyzing donor data, building internal capacity, and identifying the lead and leadership-level prospects who set the tone for campaign success. Additionally, attendees will gain insights on preparing campaign budgets, timelines, and policies to ensure transparency, sustainability, and confidence from stakeholders.

Whether your school is launching its first campaign ever, first campaign in many years, or stepping into its most ambitious effort yet, this session will equip your team with the tools, clarity, and confidence to begin from a position of strength.

Development & Advancement Track

presented by: Drew Cocco, Director of Client Success, Clarity and RedefineED

Pennsylvania has several state tax credit scholarship programs that function very similarly to vouchers, allowing schools to provide access and affordability to families without relying solely on institutional discounted dollars. For many schools, it can seem daunting to develop plans and strategies for accessing those funds and incorporating them into their advancement, enrollment, and financial aid efforts. In this session, we will walk through the essentials that schools need in order to first access, and then incorporate tax credit scholarship dollars into their Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) planning.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Development & Advancement Track

presented by: Friends Select School

• Rohan Arjun, Director of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid
• Bill Klose, Director of Athletics
• Caroline Slingluff, Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions

Athletics play a far more strategic role in independent schools than game-day outcomes alone. This session explores how intentional collaboration between Enrollment Management and Athletics can meaningfully influence family decision-making, student retention, and school culture.

Drawing from real-world practice at Friends Select School, presenters will share how embedding the Director of Athletics into Middle and Upper School Admission Committees transformed internal alignment, strengthened recruitment of mission-aligned student-athletes, and improved retention—particularly among high-performing 8th grade athletes at risk of leaving for peer schools. Participants will learn how initiatives such as an Athletic Open House and coordinated outreach between admissions and athletics elevated school spirit, strengthened community engagement, and attracted both high-pay and full-pay student-athlete applicants.

Designed for Enrollment Directors, Athletic Directors, and school leaders, this interactive session offers practical strategies, replicable structures, and candid lessons learned. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to better align athletics with institutional goals—supporting not only enrollment outcomes, but also the academic, athletic, and social success of student-athletes across the school community.

Admissions & Enrollment Track

presented by: Michael Lomuscio, Senior Consultant for AI and LLMs, MehtaCognition

Advancement and communications teams will learn how to convert raw notes, photos, and event recaps into polished donor profiles and multi-channel content—email, social,
and web—without sacrificing voice or authenticity. Real- time demos illustrate how AI supports segmentation, personalization, and data-driven storytelling that deepens engagement while conserving staff hours.

presented by: Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School

• Maggie Farrell, Director of Marketing & Communications
• Lily Jensen, Assistant Director of Advancement: Major Gifts & Horizons

This workshop will guide advancement and communications professionals through the full process of developing an effective Impact Report—from initial visioning to final production. Participants will explore how to clarify purpose and audience, shape a compelling narrative framework, and outline content that aligns with institutional priorities and donor expectations. The session will also cover practical project management considerations, including building a realistic production timeline, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, gathering data and stories, and ensuring the final piece is both mission-driven and visually engaging. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap, actionable planning tools, and strategies for creating an Impact Report that strengthens trust, demonstrates outcomes, and deepens community investment.

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

 presented by: Aaron Sherman, President, Odyssey Group Wealth Advisors

Gain insight into the conversations your donors are having with their advisors as they consider their giving, and better understand the priorities and questions shaping their philanthropic decisions. This session will introduce a practical framework for guiding donors toward more intentional, values-driven generosity—helping ensure their contributions align with both their personal goals and your school’s strategic vision. Participants will also learn how to strengthen trust and deepen relationships by supporting donors through their own philanthropic journey, communicating with greater clarity, and speaking the same language as the advisors who help influence their giving.

Development & Advancement Track

presented by: Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School

• Maggie Farrell, Director of Marketing & Communications
• Lily Jensen, Assistant Director of Advancement: Major Gifts & Horizons

This workshop will guide advancement and communications professionals through the full process of developing an effective Impact Report—from initial visioning to final production. Participants will explore how to clarify purpose and audience, shape a compelling narrative framework, and outline content that aligns with institutional priorities and donor expectations. The session will also cover practical project management considerations, including building a realistic production timeline, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, gathering data and stories, and ensuring the final piece is both mission-driven and visually engaging. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap, actionable planning tools, and strategies for creating an Impact Report that strengthens trust, demonstrates outcomes, and deepens community investment.

Communications & Marketing Track,  Development & Advancement Track

presented by: Meg George, Co-founder & President, George Philanthropy Group

How are evolving donor trends changing our approach to soliciting large gifts? Meg dives into the data, findings, and forecasts, offering practices that lead to deliberate and meaningful engagement of major gift prospects—resulting in proactive, specific solicitations.

She shares the importance of understanding a donor’s style of giving, and how generosity behaviors across different generations, including within donor families, inform the way we engage and solicit support.

At independent schools, we’re acutely aware of the different goals that current parents may have in comparison to alumni, particularly as they offer perspectives on the school’s short-term and long-term priorities. How do we understand the root of their motivation and connect our institutional needs to their philanthropic goals?

As fundraisers, we’ll explore what outcomes philanthropists want to drive, and how they are most likely to accomplish them. Meg will share solicitation examples from independent school campaign clients across multiple donor age groups, along with the compelling Cases for Support that helped advance these conversations.

Attendees will leave motivated, with tangible practices to implement in strategizing more deliberately around authentic donor engagement—and in partnering with Heads and Trustees to shape bold, inspiring visions.

Development & Advancement Track