We recently caught up with William (Bill) Miller, who is the CEO at Kean University Foundation, as he shared some advice on what helped him raise over a billion dollars in his fundraising career.
Discover AI Summary
• To truly make an impact, narrow your focus: Bill Miller emphasizes that if everything is a priority, nothing is, which is a great reminder for teams juggling multiple fundraising initiatives and campaigns.
• Learn from a leader's success: Discover how Bill Miller built a thriving team, grew it 4x, and launched a comprehensive campaign that has helped raise over $1 billion for Kean University.
• Invest in your team's growth: Bill believes his greatest gift is seeing the people he's mentored succeed, highlighting the importance of leadership development for high retention and a strong advancement culture.
• Remember what truly drives giving: While digital tools are emerging, Bill firmly believes that people ultimately give to people, underscoring the enduring power of personal connections for donor participation.
• Fuel your institution's future through campaigns: Understand how Bill is leveraging Kean's current comprehensive campaign to support strategic growth and set the stage for future fundraising success.
"If's everything's a priority, nothing's a priority. Focus drives impact."
—William (Bill) Miller, President & CEO, Kean University Foundation
Bill Miller doesn’t just talk about transformation, he lives it. As President and CEO of the Kean University Foundation, Bill has helped grow his team nearly 4x in seven years, launched the university’s first comprehensive campaign in two decades, and contributed to over $1 billion raised in philanthropic support throughout his career.
Bill’s journey in advancement has been rooted in strategy, people, and purpose. But if you ask him what he’s most proud of, it’s not the dollars, but the team he’s built and the people he’s mentored.
Bill’s fundraising journey spans nearly two decades and crosses multiple sectors. But his heart has always been in education and health. He credits successful fundraising to a few key ingredients: a compelling story, a strong plan, institutional trust, and a passionate team.
“People want to invest in something that’s impactful. When you pair a powerful mission with great leadership, the money follows.”
At Kean University Foundation, he’s applying these principles to fuel the university’s R2 research ambitions, growing enrollment, and expanding donor reach, especially through their current quiet-phase comprehensive campaign.
One of Bill’s proudest milestones is watching his team thrive. He’s passionate about mentoring others and watching them grow into industry leaders.
“If you asked me 15 years ago, I might’ve said my biggest gift. Today, it’s seeing the people I’ve worked with go on to do great things.”
Bill’s leadership philosophy is simple: take care of yourself so you can take care of your team. With a strong culture and high retention at the Foundation, it’s clear that philosophy is paying off.
With Kean now classified as an R2-designated institution and enrollment on the rise, Bill is laser-focused on executing their comprehensive campaign, and setting the stage for the next one.
“We’re in a strong moment of growth, and this campaign is a way to fuel the university’s future.”
And while AI and digital tools are beginning to shape philanthropy, Bill remains grounded in one truth: people give to people.
A completed campaign. A growing team. A bold vision. But also - making space for joy. Bill jokes that he was voted “Most Likely to Be on a Talk Show” in high school, and if you’ve ever been in a room with him, you know why.
He brings passion, wit, and purpose to every interaction, making him not just a leader in fundraising, but a catalyst for lasting impact.
Connect with him on LinkedIn and don’t forget to nominate the next incredible leader in advancement for the #TheOG50!
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We are not the ones curing cancer. We are changing lives by enabling the ones who will.
- Christopher Amherst, Director of Data Management, University of Chicago
Christopher Amherst isn’t your typical advancement professional. With a background in computer science and a career that spans pre-internet AI to modern CRM transformations, Christopher brings a uniquely systems-driven, yet deeply human approach to his role as Director of Data Management at the University of Chicago. Since being named an OG50 Champion in 2023, he’s continued to push the envelope on how data can—and should—serve advancement teams and fundraisers, helping them build trust, automate intelligently, and ultimately change lives. Chris is also an OG Star Wars fan.
Chris didn’t just join the University of Chicago to manage data; he came in to reimagine how advancement data teams operate. Instead of the traditional records management structure, Chris built a lean, five-person data operations and quality team modeled after modern for-profit data teams.
Think automations at scale. Cross-functional collaboration. Christopher’s philosophy? Build a system that delivers trust in data, so fundraisers and engagement officers can do their best work without second-guessing what’s in the CRM.
One of Christopher’s proudest achievements is overhauling address entry within the CRM. A seemingly simple update—autocomplete and address validation at point-of-entry—led to reduced cost, improved data quality, and smoother user experiences for everyone.
His team has also introduced automation for householding logic (think: donor relationships and marital status changes), reducing manual work and minimizing errors. These may seem small on paper, but for advancement teams juggling dozens of tasks daily, they’re transformative.
While Christopher’s team hasn’t gone all-in on AI-powered personalization just yet, they’re getting there thoughtfully. The goal isn’t just sending alumni flashy emails. It’s about deeply understanding what made their UChicago experience special, and reflecting that in how the university engages them today.
As a seasoned technologist, Christopher’s take on AI is both grounded and visionary. He’s excited about the agentic AI future - not because it’s trendy, but because it can free humans to focus on relationships. “AI has been around for decades,” he says. “Now it’s just about using it better.”
Christopher is focused on helping his team evolve into a strategic enablement function. That means more automation, better insights, and a stronger foundation for alumni engagement and fundraising personalization in the years ahead.
And of course, he’s watching the data maturity space closely—hoping to see more teams in advancement shift from records management to true data strategy.
Want to keep up with Christopher’s journey? Connect with him on LinkedIn.
#TheOG50: The one with Christopher Amherst
We recently caught up with Christopher Amherst, who is the Director of Data Management at University of Chicago. As a thought leader and a veteran in his field, Chris has elevated the conversation around data and technology in the advancement field.
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We might not see the fruits of our labor in alumni engagement right away - but it's all about planting that seed.
—Colleen O’Neil, Director of Alumni Engagement Programming, University of North Carolina Wilmington
When you meet Colleen, the first thing you notice is her energy. Fun, driven, and relentlessly creative, Colleen has made a bold impact at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), shaping what alumni engagement looks like for a growing institution with over 110,000 alumni. In just under three years at UNCW, Colleen has transformed how the institution approaches alumni programming - by blending strategic metrics with programs that are as joyful as they are impactful.
Colleen takes pride in creating engaging experiences and has been recognized for her work, including receiving awards for outstanding advancement programs and being featured in the CASE Currents Magazine.
One of Colleen’s most standout programs? Pints with Professors, a creative initiative that invites alumni back into the classroom, pint in hand, alongside the faculty who once inspired them. The event blends the intellectual energy of a lecture with the relaxed atmosphere of a social gathering.
The goal is simple: leverage nostalgia and intellectual curiosity to drive deeper engagement. The result? Nearly 200 attendees for their most recent session—many of whom had never attended an alumni event before.
“They might not recognize our names in their inbox, but they remember their professor’s name. That’s the connection we tap into.”
Colleen also pioneered Weekend in Wilmington, a June event series designed to bring alumni back when Wilmington really delivers for some fun in the sun and coastal adventures. Inspired by App State’s Winter Weekend, this beachy version includes site visits like the university’s Center for Marine Science and events that spark school spirit and curiosity alike.
The second edition drew over 175 attendees, including many first-time participants. It’s another example of Colleen’s focus on creating experiences that are nostalgic, thoughtful, and grounded in data.
One of Colleen’s biggest contributions has been introducing CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement to the heart of UNCW’s alumni engagement strategy. Since joining, her team has implemented data tracking processes that go far beyond attendance lists and gift reports. From social media interactions to career updates, Colleen’s team now captures a more holistic view of alumni involvement.
The result? a strong foundation for engagement with an established baseline, plus an exciting 27% change in total engagement from year 1 to year 2.
“We used to track event RSVPs and gifts. Now we’re trying to capture as many meaningful touchpoints as we can—from career updates, comment threads, class speakers to alums who submit feedback surveys.”
Looking ahead, Colleen is focused on two things: expanding campus partnerships and continuing to "engage the unengaged." From handwritten notes to targeted micro-campaigns, her team is experimenting with high-touch, low-cost ways to spark connection. It’s all part of a long-game philosophy:
“We might not see the results right away, but if we make someone feel seen today, they may remember that note or connection years from now—when they’re ready to get more involved or give back.”
Inspired by Colleen’s story?
Connect with her on LinkedIn and don’t forget to nominate the next great alumni engagement professional for the #TheOG50!
#TheOG50: The one with Colleen O’Neil
We recently sat down with Colleen O'Neil, who is the Director of Alumni Engagement Programming, University of North Carolina Wilmington for a fun interview. Colleen takes us through her journey in Advancement, and shares the secret sauce behind her amazing alumni events.
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