We recently sat down with Sarah, who is the Director of Community Engagement at Cannon School, as she took us through why relationship-building is key to long-term success in Advancement.
Summary
• Cultivate true belonging, not just events: Shift your focus from merely organizing activities to intentionally creating spaces where every constituent feels seen and valued, which is key for deeper alumni and parent engagement.
• Reignite connections with early champions: Make a concerted effort to reconnect with your institution's foundational alumni, ensuring they feel remembered and integrated into your current story, which can revitalize long-term donor participation.
• Innovate parent engagement strategies: Adapt to changing family dynamics by making involvement more accessible and flexible, prioritizing their genuine connection to the school over just their time or financial contributions.
• Understand the ripple effect of engagement: Recognize that strong alumni and parent involvement directly enhances student experiences and supports faculty, building a connected community ecosystem that benefits the entire institution.
• Prioritize human connection over technology: While tools like AI can be helpful, always remember that genuine relationship-building through personal touches and heartfelt communication is irreplaceable for cultivating lasting loyalty and support.
"We're not just building events. We're building belonging."
—Sarah Sooklal, Director of Community Engagement, Cannon School
At Cannon School, Sarah Sooklal does more than plan events. She builds bridges. As the Director of Community Engagement, Sarah’s work spans alumni relations, parent engagement, volunteer coordination, and community programming - all wrapped in a passion for creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.
With a relatively small but mighty advancement team and a young alumni base just crossing the 2,000 mark, Sarah brings energy and empathy to every part of her work, embodying what community-building truly means in a school setting.
One of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments is reconnecting with Cannon’s earliest alumni; the foundational classes who helped shape the school’s identity.
“I never want them to feel forgotten. Their support is what got us here.”
Through intentional outreach and genuine relationship-building, Sarah has made these alumni feel seen, valued, and most importantly, part of the current story. It’s not just stewardship; it’s restoration.
With shifts in family dynamics and time availability, parent engagement has evolved. Sarah is leading the charge in redefining what that looks like - coordinating volunteer opportunities, reimagining participation, and making sure all parents, regardless of how much time they can give, feel part of the school community.
“We’re asking how we can bring people back into the fold—not just for their time or their money, but for their heart.”
Sarah doesn’t view engagement in a silo. To her, stronger alumni and parent involvement directly enhances the student experience, and that ripple effect fuels her motivation daily.
“When our alumni or parents are more involved, our teachers are better supported. Our students are better supported. It’s all connected.”
From supporting teachers to creating confidence for incoming families, Sarah’s work is rooted in building a community ecosystem that nurtures everyone.
Looking forward, Sarah is focused on deepening parent engagement - especially as two-parent working households and post-COVID realities shift how families interact with schools. Her vision is to make involvement more accessible, flexible, and rewarding.
And while technology (including AI) plays a supporting role in her work, Sarah is clear on one thing: human connection is irreplaceable.
“AI is a great tool, but it can’t replace remembering something personal or writing a thank-you note.”
Inspired by Sarah’s story?
Connect with her on LinkedIn and don’t forget to nominate the next advancement trailblazer for the #TheOG50!
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“You don’t need to chase shiny things to make a difference—just do the work, stay grounded, and focus on what truly matters.”
— Tyler Reich, AVP for Advancement and Executive Director of University Relations, Willamette University
We recently caught up with Tyler to talk about his quietly powerful $160M campaign, a complete rethink of alumni communications, and his philosophy of doing the work that matters.
Tyler is the AVP for Advancement/Executive Director of University Relations at Willamette University. With over 18 years of experience, he has successfully closed significant gifts, implemented data-driven programs, and achieved notable results in team expansion, volunteer engagement, and annual fund growth. Tyler's approach combines innovation and data-driven decision-making with the art of relationship-building. He believes in creating joyful philanthropic experiences and meaningful donor engagement.
Willamette wrapped up a seven-year comprehensive campaign in 2023, exceeding its $150M goal with $160M raised - all without ever making a public announcement. When the pandemic hit, Tyler and team made the bold decision to reallocate campaign launch resources to student support instead.
That meant no “campaign” fanfare. No glossy countdowns. Just results.
They later celebrated the impact through storytelling and video, highlighting what the institution accomplished thanks to donors - without ever calling it a campaign. Now that’s impact, minus the noise.
Tyler led an 18-month overhaul of Willamette’s alumni magazine, transitioning from siloed, outdated publications to one unified storytelling vehicle.
The result? A modern, institution-wide magazine that tells the stories of “Willamette characters” solving the world’s wicked problems. Outdated class notes and obituaries were moved online for timeliness and sensitivity.
The printed version now focuses purely on powerful stories and has already won multiple national awards. With 38,000+ households reached annually, it’s become a lasting engagement tool - one that even alumni spouses have requested to receive.
Understanding today’s alumni preferences, Tyler’s team created a hybrid model - class notes, updates, and social content online for real-time engagement; rich storytelling in print for longevity.
When Tyler saw the magazine in a local dentist’s office (a proud alum’s waiting room), it was a full-circle moment: “That’s our work, sitting right there in the wild.”
Now post-campaign, Tyler is focused on foundation-building over trend-chasing. That means:
Tyler believes that thoughtful, strategic tech adoption—done right—can power deeper, more personal alumni engagement. But it must always serve the mission, not replace the people.
Tyler Reich is proof that lasting change doesn’t always need a spotlight. Whether he’s leading a $160M campaign without a big reveal or rebuilding alumni communications from scratch, Tyler stays rooted in impact and relationships.
Want to follow Tyler’s journey? Here’s his LinkedIn.
#TheOG50: The one with Tyler Reich
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"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!
#TheOG50: The one with Bill Miller
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