Higher Education
Adam is deeply committed to advancing higher education through strategic philanthropy, alumni engagement, and mission-driven leadership. Across his career and volunteer service, he's helped raise more than $20 million from low- and mid-level donors, trained thousands of students and staff to become compelling fundraisers and ambassadors, and led record-breaking engagement initiatives that strengthened lifelong connections. Whether partnering with colleges and universities as a consultant or spearheading alumni strategy for his alma mater, University of Missouri, he brings a passion for educational access, community-building, and sustainable impact—always with a focus on cultivating relationships and elevating institutional outcomes.
Professional Experience
IDC / Harris Connect - Henderson, NV (Higher education fundraising/alumni engagement consulting firm)
Account Executive and Senior Consultant | 2009 - 2014
Director of Education Sales | 2005 - 2009
Program Consultant | 2000 - 2005
​​Accomplishments
Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. Led annual giving, alumni engagement, and reunion campaigns for more than 50 colleges and universities—raising over $20 million from low- and mid-level donors. Efforts drove stronger reunion attendance, expanded the donor base, and surfaced new major gift prospects, helping institutions build sustainable momentum and deeper alumni affinity.
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Fundraising Strategy, Case Development, and Communication Planning. In close collaboration with client leadership, developed audience segmentation strategies, designed volunteer engagement plans, and crafted compelling case-for-support messaging. Authored direct response fundraising copy and collateral tailored to each institution’s brand, voice, and philanthropic priorities—advancing campaign outcomes through precision and storytelling.
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Campaign Analytics and Program Enhancement. Created campaign reporting and year-end progress reports that integrated narrative, analytics, and visuals. These reports surfaced directional trends and included actionable recommendations for program refinement, empowering clients to make data-informed decisions that improved donor engagement and fundraising performance.
Talent Development and Fundraising Training. Developed and delivered high-impact phonathon and fundraising training to more than 3,500 students and staff in live, on-campus sessions. These programs achieved donor acquisition rates of 40%, donor retention of 80%, and pledge fulfillment of 90%—equipping emerging fundraisers with the confidence and skills to serve as effective philanthropic ambassadors.
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Caller Training Innovation and National Sales. Played a central role in the development of a novel online caller training course, CallerMax, designed to supplement in-person instruction. As national sales lead, secured over 20 new institutional clients annually by translating training innovation into consultative value—expanding access to high-performing fundraising education.
West Coast Business Development and Client Retention. Led business development across the West Coast, overseeing onsite consulting sales strategy, service delivery, and client relationship management. Tailored approach and advisory partnerships yielded a 90%+ client renewal rate, reflecting trust, responsiveness, and a deep commitment to shared success.
Conference Planning and Workshop Facilitating. Instrumental in planning and hosting biannual conference, Phone/Mail 101, which drew up to 40 attendees per session from campuses nationwide. Conference featured hands-on workshops, peer learning forums, and facilitated training presentations—elevating best practices and strengthening the professional fundraising community.​​​​
Conference Attendee Hospitality. Elevated attendee experience at Phone/Mail 101 by serving as a personalized hospitality lead, curating immersive activities along the Las Vegas Strip. From facilitating backstage access at high-profile entertainment venues to arranging exclusive meet-and-greets with performers, seamlessly blended logistical coordination with concierge-level service. Thoughtful guidance and attention to detail fostered meaningful connections, set a high bar for guest engagement, and strengthened the event’s reputation for excellence and insider access.
Board and Volunteer Leadership
University of Missouri Alumni Association – Columbia, MO
Director - Mizzou Alumni Association Governing Board | 2025 - 2027
Chapter President - Los Angeles/Orange County, CA | 2010 - 2023
Chapter President - Las Vegas, NV | 2001 - 2008
Accomplishments (LA/OC Chapter)
Scholarship Program. Launched a chapter scholarship program to expand access and opportunity for aspiring students. Personally cultivated and secured alumni gifts of up to $5,000, building a culture of generosity through tailored outreach and authentic connection. Designed and hosted distinctive fundraising events—from sommelier-led wine tastings to spirited sports watch parties and professional mixers—that deepened engagement, inspired pride, and empowered alumni to invest directly in the next generation.
Alumni and Parent Engagement. Crafted and executed targeted strategies to engage alumni, parents, and prospective students—delivering curated educational and enrichment workshops and signature networking events that featured distinguished celebrity alumni. Strengthened community bonds by creating experiences that inspired pride, deepened institutional affinity, and cultivated enduring relationships across a diverse network of stakeholders.
Cross-Department Collaboration. Led the alignment of local alumni strategy with university admissions and development priorities—driving coordinated efforts that magnified alumni influence on student recruitment and expanded philanthropic support. Fostered dynamic, cross-functional partnerships that embedded long-range vision into advancement initiatives, deepening organizational cohesion and amplifying mission-driven results.
Data-Driven Strategy. Leveraged data analytics and geo-mapping to pinpoint optimal event locations—aligning programming with alumni population density to maximize relevance and accessibility. Translated insights into action, dramatically increasing participation rates and setting new benchmarks for regional engagement.
Volunteer Leadership Recruitment and Management. Expanded the volunteer leadership board, committees, and event hosts from three to twenty—mobilizing talent and deepening community ties across Orange County, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Venture County. This strategic growth broadened representation, elevated engagement, and dramatically increased organizational capacity to execute high-impact events and advance key initiatives.
Content Strategy, Storytelling, and Communications. Authored quarterly chapter newsletters, created and distributed social media content. Strengthened alumni engagement and chapter visibility through consistent, compelling storytelling—delivering timely updates and curated content that fostered connection, participation, and pride across platforms.