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#TheOG50: The one with Christopher Amherst
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.
Leading a Modern Advancement Data Team
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.
Turning Small Automations into Big Wins
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.
Looking Forward: Personalization, Purpose, and AI
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.”
What’s next for Christopher and the University of Chicago?
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.
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.
Leading a Modern Advancement Data Team
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.
Turning Small Automations into Big Wins
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.
Looking Forward: Personalization, Purpose, and AI
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.”
What’s next for Christopher and the University of Chicago?
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.
Blackbaud, the leading provider of software for powering social impact, and Almabase, the digital-first alumni engagement solution, have announced the expansion of their partnership to the education sectors of Canada and the United Kingdom. The partnership will provide institutions with a modern, digital-first solution to improve constituent data, drive self-serve engagement, and boost event participation.
A Unified Vision
The partnership aligns with Blackbaud’s commitment to customer-centric innovation across digital engagement, Advancement CRM, and financials.
“Partners bring integrated capabilities that extend capabilities and outcomes for Blackbaud customers. We are thrilled that Almabase’s offering, integrated with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT® and leveraging Blackbaud’s best-in-class payment solution, Blackbaud Merchant Services™, is now available to even more of our customers around the world.”
- Liz Price, Sr. Director of Global Partners at Blackbaud
