Last year, the AB50C Awards honored 50 exceptional leaders. But who are they beyond their roles? We spoke with these leaders to uncover the stories, passions, and perspectives that shape them and what truly sets them apart.

Why He’s an AB50C Champion

A true leader and catalyst, Seth has shown remarkable consistency, turning around two major fundraising efforts in five years and achieving record-breaking results. His innovative approach to unifying annual giving and digital engagement has successfully doubled alumni participation.

Beyond the Title

Before the titles and milestones, Seth is someone who simply loves connecting people to causes, to institutions, and to what matters most to them.

In fact, if you strip away the jargon, that’s how he would describe his role too: helping people channel their passion into meaningful impact.

A fun detail to talk about? While many might expect a playlist full of pump-up songs, Seth prefers podcasts, and when he does tune into music, it’s 90s country. There’s something grounded and timeless about it, much like his approach to advancement itself.

What Winning AB50C Meant to Him?

For Seth, winning the AB50C award was a recognition of something he deeply and truly believes in: unity.

“I definitely believe in unifying an advancement team and then unifying a broader campus community.”

To him, success in advancement comes from collaboration—not silos.

But being recognised for that philosophy? That’s what made the moment meaningful.

Finding Their Way into Advancement

Seth wouldn’t call his journey toward advancement a dramatic one or something he could say is “calling”. It was something he grew into, one conversation at a time.

He started his career with United Way as a loaned associate, working part-time before moving into a full-time role. His early days were as hands-on as it gets: a phone book, a list of past donors, and countless cold calls.

It was in these moments of day after day of outreach that he discovered both his skill and his stride.

“I would just say it wasn't a calling so much as just being really good at it and being told you're really good at it and you should stay with it.”

Over time, hitting goals, building relationships, and honing communication became second nature. What started as a job quickly turned into a career defined by impact and consistency.

The Work That Matters

Today, Seth’s work is centred on something bigger than individual wins. Building teams, shaping strategy, and embedding advancement deeply into the foundations of the institution.

At Georgia College, the focus has been on rebuilding and repositioning advancement as a core institutional driver.

“It’s about being seen as being integral to the institution… Advancement has to kind of lead on a lot of things.”

For Seth, breaking down silos is key. Alumni relations, annual giving, major gifts, and stewardship – they all need to move as one cohesive unit.

If you ask him what excites him most now, he would respond with building teams and watching them succeed.

At the same time, he still finds joy in the moments that started it all, working directly with donors, especially when someone makes their first major gift.

Looking ahead, Seth and his team are working toward ambitious goals, including growing their endowment to $250 million over the next decade. From new infrastructure projects to scholarship funding, the roadmap is both strategic and expansive.

At the same time, he sees AI as an accelerator.

“I don't think it'll take over our jobs. No, never. People respond to people.”

Instead, he’s excited about how AI can unlock insights from data, improve efficiency, and give advancement teams more control over their strategy.

An Initiative He’s Proud Of

One standout initiative for Seth is their Athletics Day of Giving.

Over the past few years, the team has refined their approach, leveraging multi-channel communication across text, email, and online platforms.

The result? A 30% increase in giving in the most recent year.

“It’s rolled really nicely… we’re really proud of the positive impact we’ve had.”

While it may not be a million-dollar day, Seth emphasizes something more important: meaningful growth and tangible impact for their athletics program.

Rapid Fire

Where It All Comes Together

Seth’s story is about people, relationships, and the quiet consistency of showing up, year after year.

From cold-calling with a phone book to leading institution-wide strategy. His journey reflects what Humans of Advancement is all about: real stories, real impact, and a community that learns from each other.

Because at the heart of it all, advancement is still what Seth said it is:

“Connecting people with what they care about most.”

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