The 50 is back

We’re proud to introduce Almabase’s 50 Champions in Advancement.

Recognizing the very best in Alumni Relations and Advancement.

View past winners Get nominated

Celebrating the best in

Fundraising

Alumni Relations

Advancement

Data Services

Marketing & Events

Community Building

Leadership

This campaign puts the spotlight on changemakers who are pushing our industry forward. If you are that changemaker, we'd love to hear your story. Get nominated today!

Get nominated

Meet the Jury

Shalonda Martin

Research-practitioner, Executive & Career Coach specializing in Leadership Development, DEI, Organizational Culture, and Fundraising Operations.

Shalonda Martin

Research-practitioner, Executive & Career Coach specializing in Leadership Development, DEI, Organizational Culture, and Fundraising Operations.

Jay Le Roux Dillon

Chief Alumni Officer and strategist at UC Berkeley, leading alumni engagement for the world’s #1 public university.

Jay Le Roux Dillon

Chief Alumni Officer and strategist at UC Berkeley, leading alumni engagement for the world’s #1 public university.

Jenny Cooke Smith

Senior Director at CASE Insights Solutions and analytics leader specializing in benchmarking, data strategy, and outcomes.

Jenny Cooke Smith

Senior Director at CASE Insights Solutions and analytics leader specializing in benchmarking, data strategy, and outcomes.

Maria L. Gallo

Alumni strategist, TEDx speaker, and author of The Alumni Way; President of the USMC Alumni Association.

Maria L. Gallo

Alumni strategist, TEDx speaker, and author of The Alumni Way; President of the USMC Alumni Association.

How to be a part of #The50

Think your achievements need to be recognized, or know someone who deserves the spotlight? Here’s how you can nominate yourself or support your peers!

Decide to Nominate

Whether you want to nominate yourself or a peer, start by making the choice to celebrate great work in Advancement.

Fill Out the Nomination Form

Complete a short form that highlights achievements, impact, and passion for the field. Remember - strong stories stand out.

Get Noticed by the Community

Peer nominations and word-of-mouth support help strengthen your case. Encourage your network to vouch for your impact!

Let the Judges Review Your Story

Our esteemed panel of judges will carefully evaluate every submission based on merit, innovation, and influence.

You are a WINNER

If selected, you'll be honored as one of Almabase's 50 Champions in Advancement—with public recognition, a commemorative trophy, and a platform to share your story.

What's in it for the winners?

Access to an exclusive closed community for continues learnings and insights

Get featured on the Times Square billboard for your incredible work

A personalized trophy and certificate for your hard work

Fast-track your career growth and cement yourself as an expert

Exclusive perks and goodies from our sponsors

... and so much more!

Key Dates

Now

Nominations open:

Aug 15, 11:59:59 PM PT

Nomination deadline:

Late-September

Winners announced:

The announcement will be made over a livestream

Where can I see the winners:

Amelia Ketzle

IT Project Coordinator

“Thanks to Almabase and Blackbaud for selecting me as one of their winners of the ‘50 Under 50 Best in Alumni Relations and Advancement.’ Very cool honor, as I know how many worthy people there are out there in this field!”

Wall of LOVE

Real voices. Genuine impact. 
Hear what our former champions have to say about AB50C!

Daniel Snyder, CFRE

Director, Advancement Services

“Feeling grateful for the recognition of the work we’re doing at Bennington College.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey—I hope I can return the help you’ve given me along the way!”

Bishop Alexander

Director of Alumni Relations

“Wow! Words alone cannot express how much I appreciate your kind words.
I give 110% in everything I do for the purpose of helping people.”

Brianne Meyer

Sr. Director, Advancement Comms

“Thank you so much for this recognition! It is an honor!”

Christopher Amherst

Director of Data Management

“To be honored as a member of Almabase’s #50under50 first class is deeply humbling.
Here’s to making an impact, being the difference, and working toward a brighter future!”

Colleen O’Neil

Director, Alumni Engagement

“I’m thrilled to have been selected for Almabase’s #50Under50 campaign powered by Blackbaud.
It’s an honor to be listed among #The50 rockstars changing the game in the Advancement world.”

How to Get Nominated?

(if you're nominating yourself) - fill up the nomination form highlighting why you should be the next champion.

(If you're nominating a peer or colleague)- fill up the form on their behalf, and select "I'd like to nominate someone else" when directed.

Once nominated, make sure you share your nomination status on social media to be seen by our judges.

Once the campaign ends, our judges will review and score every nomination, before selecting (if you're nominating 50 champions of 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this campaign about?

Almabase’s 50 Champions in Advancement (AB50C) is a campaign that honors exceptional professionals making a real impact in the world of Alumni Relations and Advancement. This is a platform to spotlight champions who are driving meaningful engagement and institutional success in our space.

Who can be a part of this campaign?

If you work in or alongside Alumni Relations or Advancement, this campaign is designed for you. We celebrate professionals from a wide range of functions, including:

Alumni Relations
Advancement Services
Development & Fundraising
Marketing & Events
Donor Engagement

If any of these roles align with your work, we strongly encourage you to submit a nomination—or have someone nominate you.

How can I nominate myself or a peer?

Submitting a nomination is simple. Just fill out the nomination form, highlighting your achievements and contributions. The more thoughtfully you craft your submission, the better your chances of standing out to our judges.

You can also nominate a deserving peer. That said, we highly recommend encouraging them to complete their own nomination—it ensures authenticity and makes a stronger impression on the jury.

Can I nominate myself or someone else multiple times?

If you're nominating yourself, a single, well-crafted submission is all you need—no need to submit more than once.

However, if multiple peers nominate you independently, it can strengthen your candidacy and signal to our judges that your impact is widely recognized within the community.

What if I get nominated and I’m not a winner?

Our panel will select only 50 winners from what we expect to be hundreds of nominations. If you're not selected, we’d still love to help you share your story. Reach out to us post-campaign and we’ll explore other opportunities to spotlight your work.

When do nominations open and close?

The campaign is officially open for nominations! We’ll be accepting nominations till Aug 8, 12 AM EST. Please ensure you send in your nominations before the deadline.

Is there an eligibility criteria?

We’ve intentionally kept the criteria simple and inclusive. To be eligible, you must:

Have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in the industry
Currently work at an educational institution (K-12, college, or university)
OR have worked at one within the last 12 months

Ready to join #The50?

Get nominated