Fall Directors Forum

November 12, 2026 12:00pm-4:00pm ET

Overview

AGN’s Annual Giving Director’s Forums bring together leaders (and rising leaders!) from across the field to discuss the biggest challenges facing annual giving programs at educational institutions today. This intimate half-day event provides a meaningful way to hear from (and meet with) other leaders as well as experts and offers a framework for developing winning annual giving strategies for your institution.

This year's Fall Forum will open with a presentation by AGN’s Founder, Dan Allenby, who will give his yearly Industry Status Report including some of the key findings from some of AGN’s recent research. Then attendees will hear from some of the industry’s top practitioners and experts who will share their thoughts on some of the most pressing issues of the day. Some of the topics that will be discussed include:

  • The issue of "trust" for educational institutions
  • Making the case for annual giving amid declining alumni giving rates
  • How AI (and technology in general) is affecting/being used by annual giving programs
  • Recruiting and retaining great staff and volunteers
  • And more!

This event will also give participants the opportunity to meet in facilitated small groups with peers from similar institutions, where they can ask questions, share ideas and get feedback. 

Seats are limited and AGN Members receive 1-complimentary registration as part of their membership. This event is not only an important part of the member experience and a great way to connect with others just like you! Attendees come away feeling rejuvenated, connected, and better positioned to lead their programs and achieve annual giving success.

NOTE: This is a live event only, and a recording will not be available afterward. The strength of this program relies on attendance, so please ensure you can join us on that day. Only 1 person/login per institutional registration.

Program

(all times are EDT)

11:50am - Sign-In Begins

12:00pm - Welcome (Dan Allenby, AGN Founder)

12:05pm - Industry Status Report 

Learn about some of the key trends and opportunities facing annual giving programs today. 

12:30pm - Leadership Panel

Hear from top practitioners on how they're addressing the industry's biggest challenges.

1:30pm - Transition to groups/break (15min)

1:45pm - Small group discussion

Meet with peers to discuss your top priorities and progress so far this year

2:45pm - Small group discussion

Meet with peers to discuss goals and potential challenges for the months ahead

3:45pm - Wrapping-up

Hear about lessons learned, key takeaways and final words of advice.

4:00pm - Workshop Ends

*Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Faculty

Dan Allenby (Host)
President & Founder at Annual Giving Network

Dan is an author, speaker, and consultant who has worked with educational institutions for more than 25 years to improve their fundraising results. An internationally recognized expert on annual giving, he is a CASE Laureate and recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. His book Ideas for Annual Giving offers designs for helping organizations increase their levels of sustainable philanthropic support. Dan has led annual giving and membership programs at Boston University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society. He also served on the faculty for CASE’s Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising and chaired its Senior Annual Giving Professionals Conference and Annual Giving Workshop for five collective terms. He holds a B.A. in History from James Madison University and a M.B.A. from Boston College. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, writing songs, and getting away to the beaches of Cape Cod. His philosophy is that success comes from focusing on what’s right in front of you.

Adam Bradley
Adam has extensive experience in annual giving and educational fundraising. He has led programs at University of Michigan, and has previously led research and recruiting efforts at Qualigence International. He holds a B.B.A. in Marketing and a certificate in strategic leadership from the University of Michigan.

Gina Fiorillo

Gina Fiorillo has led programs at New York University, the Rutgers University Foundation, Kean University, and Douglass College. She holds a B.A. in English from Douglass College and an M.P.A. from the School of Public Affairs & Administration at Rutgers University.

Josh Nay

Josh has led programs at the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. His other experience includes volunteer work with the Boy Scouts of America. Josh has a B.A. in Museum Studies from Gettysburg College and an M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Megan Poole

Megan has led annual giving and direct marketing programs at the University of Virginia and the University of Florida. Her other experience includes work as a college writing instructor and a high school English teacher. She holds a B.A. in English from Wesleyan College and an M.A. in English from Syracuse University.

 

 

Meghan Palombo

Megan has led annual giving programs at William & Mary, Cornell University and the LSU Foundation. Her other experience includes the equine feed and retail industry. Meghan holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business Management from Cazenovia College and a Master of Business Administration from the William & Mary Raymond A. Mason School of Business.

 

Michael O'Brien

Michael O’Brien has led annual giving and alumni affairs efforts at Wheaton College, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School ("BB&N") and Boston College High School. Michael’s other experience includes admissions, teaching, college counseling and international programs prior to working in development. Mike holds degrees from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Hobart & William Smith Colleges where he was a four-year member and team captain of Hobart’s lacrosse team.

Tracy Krentzman

Tracy Krentzman has led programs at Villanova University, Lehigh University, University of North Florida, Bucknell University and Miami University. She holds a Bachelor's Degree, Public Relations, Political Science from University of Dayton and a Master's Degree, College Student Personnel from Miami University.

Registration for this event has closed. Please contact member services at [email protected] or 888.407.5064.

For more information about this workshop, please contact us at 888.407.5064 or [email protected].