The Development Debrief

Kathryn Van Sickle

Podcast by Kathryn Van Sickle *The views on this podcast are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.

  1. 2 HR AGO

    176. CDO to CEO: Wendy Connors

    I’m back after my wedding and honeymoon in March—and I’m coming in with a renewed mindset. One thing it reminded me of was how much I get out of this show. This podcast has always been about three things: gaining understanding, building community, and elevating voices in our field. I hope that experience is mirrored for all of you. This week, Wendy Connors talks with me about her professional journey and her shift from CDO to CEO—and the different levels of stress that come with it. What it means to work differently. What real work-life balance actually looks like. How to recognize good work. What happens when your database grows fast—and expectations grow even faster. Wendy Connors is the President of the Fannie and John HertzFoundation. She is a passionate leader and advocate for science, technology, and education. As president of the Hertz Foundation, she leads the nation’s most prestigious doctoral fellowship in applied science, engineering, and mathematics equipping exceptional students with unparalleled resources and lifelong support.

    41 min

  2. 4 FEB

    175. Sustaining Your Journey: Sarah Bell

    For the third and final episode of the "Sustaining Your Journey" series, I’m joined by Sarah Bell — Director of Principal Giftsat Harvard Business School. Sarah has spent nearly two decades at Harvard, including 19 years at Harvard Law School, building a career rooted in connection and purpose. Sarah reflects on dedicating 19 years to one shop and all of the growth that took place during that chapter of her life. In our conversation, we talk about what happens when your work becomes part of your identity — and how hard it can be to separate who you are from what you do. Sarah opens up about learning to love her work without letting it define her.

    44 min

  3. 27 JAN

    174. Sustaining Your Journey: Tommy Bergstrom

    In this second episode of Sustaining Your Journey, we’re exploring what it means to take a nonlinear path — to start differently, not over. Tommy Bergstrom serves as Senior Associate Director of Leadership Annual Gifts with The Penn Fund, where he’s building new pipelines for engagement andphilanthropy. His career began in admissions, and his transition into development offers a look at how growth often means shifting your sphere of influence — and learning new cultural norms along the way. Tommy shares the challenges and wins of his career pivot, what it means to build something new from the inside, and how leadership can look different at every stage. Previously, he served as Director of Visit Experience with Penn Admissions. He holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and an M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice. Tommy volunteers with both his undergraduate and graduate schools, as well as with HeightsPhiladelphia.

    29 min

  4. 9 JAN

    173. Sustaining Your Journey: Boi Carpenter

    Welcome to 2026 with the Development Debrief. This month is a time for inner work—we are lucky to have a guest this week who is both wise and smart. This episode is about creating and building along the way. About the chapters in life we only understand in hindsight. About uncertainty, perfection, and the internal data we’reconstantly managing—often without realizing it. Boi will explore ideas like emotional regulation, immunity to change, and self-guided retreats—simple frameworks that help us stay present when life feels unclear. Throughout January, this podcast unfolds as a three-part series that I am calling "Sustaining Your Journey", with two other guests in addition to Boi who will share their own perspectives. I can’t wait to hear what you all think.

    46 min

  5. 09/12/2025

    172. Solo Episode: Recalibrating Mid-career

    In this episode, I read an article I wrote for LinkedIn that explores some of the conversations I've had recently with friends and colleagues. I'm asking the questions like around mid-career crossroads and how we decide if and when we are happy. This is the first episode in a series where I will bring guests to talk with me about this very topic.

    6 min

  6. 06/11/2025

    171. Boyden with Texas A&M: What we Celebrate and what we Tolerate

    Welcome to this Development Debrief episode sponsored by Boyden Executive Search. In this episode, we’re talking with the Texas A&M Foundation about how their culture work is transforming the way they recruit, retain, and grow talented staff. Our guests are Jill Trego and Chastity Carrigan with Texas A&M, and Wendy Wilsker with Boyden. We’ll unpack what they celebrate and what they tolerate, and how their values guide them when things get hard. You’ll also hear how they help outsiders understand their culture, and what it means to live their “why” — unapologetically and authentically. Let’s dive in.

    45 min

  7. 30/10/2025

    170. David Kennedy: Strategic Realignment

    In this episode, we sit down with David Kennedy, Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Development at Duke University—a leader who’s navigated some of the toughest questions in higher education today. We talk about his career, why Duke's current campaign has no dollar goal, and how they have managed making 20% cuts. David explains his north star phrase which is: our job is to fulfill the mission. In unprecedented times, when every institution is being asked to do more with less, David shares how strategic realignment is both a financial exercise and a leadership one. We also touch on how we can develop the skills we’ll need to meet the challenges ahead. It’s a conversation about the craft of leading through change.

    36 min

  8. 09/10/2025

    169. Joanne Berger-Sweeney: Trinity's All In Campaign

    This episode is a deeply personal one. I’m honored tosit down with the 22nd President of Trinity College, JoanneBerger-Sweeney, to reflect on her remarkable leadership and the impact of the All In campaign—the most ambitious fundraising effort in the college’s history. Despite serious headwinds, All In achieved extraordinary success, thanks to Joanne’s steady vision, the dedication of Trinity’s trustees, and the commitment of the entire community. In our conversation,Joanne shares stories of perseverance, moments of light through tragedy, and what it means to work with purpose until the very last day. This episode is dedicated in loving memory to Michael Casey.

    51 min
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About

Podcast by Kathryn Van Sickle *The views on this podcast are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.

Information

  • Creator
    Kathryn Van Sickle
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kathryn Van Sickle
  • Show Website
    The Development Debrief

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