Look Who's Talking at Engage!

Our first case study will help you understand the testing methodology that has resulted in breakthroughs throughout the program and offer an examination of two highly successful campaigns, where you'll learn how new acquisition and gift ask strategies, and additional investment, have had a dramatic impact on response levels and donor growth; how creative and timely approaches have boosted both the acquisition and renewal programs; and how analytics drives program strategy and long-term success.

The Coast Guard Foundation's Brad Sisley and RobbinsKersten Direct's Andrew Laudano will lead the discussion.

Sisley joined the Coast Guard Foundation in 2008. As COO, he develops the overall strategic and operational direction for the development and communications programs. During his tenure at the Coast Guard Foundation, he has increased revenue in the annual fund by 185 percent.

Laudano has more than 25 years of fundraising experience working for both agencies and nonprofit organizations. As vice president of fundraising at RobbinsKersten, he manages integrated, multichannel direct-response fundraising programs for both national and regional organizations. Organizations with which he's worked over the years include Special Olympics, PETA, the Coast Guard Foundation, Sierra Club, and the International Rescue Committee, among others.

Case Study 2: City Harvest
Out second case study will examine how New York's City Harvest took the small, local direct-mail program that its board wanted to suspend in 2004 and turned it into a midsized, robust, integrated fundraising and communication program that grew by 350 percent.

Heather Wallace Reynolds, vice president of marketing at City Harvest, and Ellen Cobb Church, principal and CEO of Craver, Mathews, Smith & Co., will discuss the challenges, strategies, pitfalls and highlights of the past 10 years and how a strong brand, shared vision, "smart" program and engaged board equals fundraising success. The speakers will explore how to evolve your program work and messaging without leaving donors behind; how being local is to your advantage — how to make it work; how to engage your board and reap the benefits; why strategy is everything; and why continuity, a shared vision, trusted partners, taking chances and having fun are the foundations that make it all work.