The Development Debrief

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

  1. NOV 6

    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

  2. OCT 30

    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

  3. OCT 9

    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

  4. SEP 25

    168. Adrian Colarusso: What is your wealth's Highest Purpose?

    What is your wealth's highest purpose? In this episode, we explore that question with a professional wealth advisor who is passionate about helping millennials use their resources to create real impact. We’ll dive into donor-advised funds—are you using one?—and why they matter for high-income, mid-career millennials. You’ll hear how the bunching strategy works, and a special story about his son shaped his personal giving plan. This is a conversation about aligning strategy with purpose—and why the way you give can matter as much as what you give.   Adrian Colarusso is an investment adviser representative of Target Rock Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission andprincipally located in the state of New York. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Target RockWealth Management and its representatives are properly registered or exempt from registration. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice or a guarantee that you will achieve a desired result. You should consult with appropriate tax and/or financial advisors for advice specific to your situation. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of interviewee on the date of the program and are subject to change.

    48 min

  5. SEP 11

    167. Carolyn Vine: Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Robin Hood

    Today I’m thrilled to be joined by Carolyn Vine from Robin Hood, one of New York City’s most impactful organizations fighting poverty. Robin Hood is stepping into an exciting new chapter—launching an endowment campaign that will strengthen their ability to serve the city for generations to come. Carolyn and I dive into how this initiative is taking shape, what it means for New Yorkers, and why continuity in leadership has been one of Robin Hood’s greatest advantages.  Carolyn oversees all fundraising activities at Robin Hood andleads the Development, Marketing, and Events team in their work raising funds to support the organization in its critical poverty-fighting work. In that capacity, she is responsible for reaching annual fundraising goals of more than $150 million and driving Robin Hood’s development strategy by identifying new partners and initiatives to expand its fundraising platform, including planned giving, an endowment campaign, and a next-generation leadership group. Prior to joining Robin Hood in 2010, Carolyn worked at the global investment firm, D. E. Shaw & Co., in the Resource Development and Fundamental Research groups, focusing on business development, recruiting, and research.  She has an M.Sc. in African Studies from the University of Oxford. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Columbia University. A native New Yorker, Carolyn is passionate about making this city a more equitable engine of opportunity for all, and she has fought to do so in her fundraising roles at Robin Hood for over ten years.  She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two small children.

    37 min

  6. AUG 28

    166. Joel Malina: How to Define and Respond to Crisis

    Welcome to today’s conversation with Joel Malina. Together,we talk about communications and we dive into what it means to find balance in your career, while also having big impact. Joel shares his transition from Cornell to Brunswick, what it takes to define a crisis—and respond effectively usingreflections on October 7th 2023 as a major example. You’ll hear why listening is the most important thing you can do, how to consolidate information in high-pressure situations, and why having the right messengers matters most in the hardest times. Joel advises Brunswick’s Foundations, Education& Global Health and Energy & Resources clients on a range of matters, including public affairs, issues and reputation management, profile raising, crisis, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.

    42 min

  7. AUG 14

    165. Claudia Taylor Overstrom: Parent Fundraising at Yale

    Welcome to Season 16! We’re kicking off a brand-new season with a fantastic lineup of episodes ahead, and I’m so glad you’re here. It’s been a wonderful summer in New Haven—I spent time with family, snuck away to Vermont, and reconnected with friends. One highlight was attending the Parents Fundraising Conference at NYU, hosted by Cory Williams. I had the honor of presenting during a plenary session alongside Claudia Taylor Overstrom, chair of Yale’s Parents Leadership Council. Claudia and her husband Gunnar have led the PLC for the past year. A Yale alumna with a J.D. from Georgetown Law Center, Claudia also serves as President of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In this first episode of the season—recorded live—we talk about how we work with parents, what partnership really looks like, and why these relationships matter. Let’s dive in!

    29 min

  8. JUN 11

    164. Robin Aviv: Sharing Our Stories

    Today’s guest, Robin Aviv, is a force in the nonprofit world—a leader who’s redefining how missions are amplified and communities are engaged. Robin is the Founder and Executive Chairperson of Generation S.O.S., a prominent non-profit organization that empowers teens and young adults to make lifesaving decisions about substance use and other mental health issues. She’ll share how the right speaker can transform the right room, why a participatory board is essential, and what she believes is more valuable than money. We’ll explore how she tracks real growth, tells compelling stories that move donors to action, and leverages one signature event a year to fuel lasting impact.

    28 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kathryn Van Sickle
  • Show Website
    The Development Debrief

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