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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
Anticipated Conference Agenda
As of April 30, 2015 – Subject to Change
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
7:00 – 11:30 • Registration
Location: Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building, Georgetown University
8:00 -2:00 • Preconference Option: NACRO Master’s Class
“Generating Trust and Respect in Your Organization: Professional Communication”
Location: Conference Room 415, Hariri Building
For the first time, the NACRO Professional Development Committee will pilot a Master's Level workshop in conjunction
with the annual NACRO Conference. Attendance at this workshop will be limited to 25 NACRO Members who meet the
following criteria: must have 10+ years of Professional Experience with at least 3 being in a leadership role; must be
responsible for leading the CR efforts at your institution; and must have responsibility for the training and development
of your team. Registration for the Master’s Class is separate from NACRO Conference Registration.
9:00 – 5:00 • Preconference Option: NACRO Blueprint Day
Location: Fisher Colloquium, Hariri Building
Blueprint Day is hand crafted for new NACRO members, new corporate relations officers and those new to higher
education. This optional first day of the conference will focus on the NACRO “blueprint” for holistic university
corporate relations, and will also incorporate two of the best parts of any NACRO Conference: learning from each other
and networking with other NACRO members. Those who have already attended a NACRO annual conference are
respectfully asked to consider carefully before registering for this event, to avoid diluting the experience for our new
members.
9:00 – 9:15 • Blueprint Welcome
Co-Chairs: Brad Ricker, Associate Director for Corporate Relations, Michigan State University, and Robin Seth Shah,
Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, University of Houston
NACRO Co-Presidents: Mary Beth Maddox, Executive Director, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of
Texas, and Jon See, Director of Communications, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University
9:15 – 9:45 • NACRO Bingo mixer
Facilitator: Morrel Wax, Assistant Director, Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations, Miami University
9:45 – 10:30 • The Evolution of Corporate Relations Offices
The structure of corporate relations offices and their associated responsibilities differ greatly from one university to
another. This presentation will utilize case studies to first describe current corporate relations models; and then
discuss those specific variables that influence structure.
Speaker: Cameron McCoy, Assistant Vice President, Office of Economic Engagement, Lehigh University
10:30 – 10:45 • Networking Break
10:45 – 11:30 • Corporate Outreach: Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships
Generating and maintaining new corporate partnerships, while coordinating corporate outreach efforts with many
motivated players on campus, is a challenge. Corporate Relations Officers address the varied goals of their university
and corporate partners, while connecting the dots to develop comprehensive strategies for engagement, support, and
partnership. This session will focus on proven corporate outreach strategies and success stories from a philanthropic
and research perspective.
Speakers: Cynthia Sweet, Senior University Business Liaison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Kyan Zeller,
Associate Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations, Michigan State University
11:30 – 1:00 • Lunch – Networking with Mentors – Ally Program Launch
The Ally Program seeks to create meaningful opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and provide professional
development opportunities for corporate relations (CR) officers new to the field. Ally Cohorts will be based loosely on
location, and consist of 2 facilitators experienced in the CR field and 5-10 participants that are new to CR or new to
NACRO. Each cohort will meet at the NACRO conference during Blueprint Day and connect throughout the year on
quarterly conference calls. Ally Cohorts will last for one year, beginning and ending at the annual conference. This
program is an additional way to connect with colleagues at other schools and build your network.
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
1:00 – 1:30 • Spider Web Mixer
Facilitator: Morrel Wax, Assistant Director of Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations, Miami University
1:30 – 2:45 • Art of the Deal
This session will guide you through the Art of the Deal. When do you push the ROI? When do you back off and take it
slow? What do you do when the “deal” is getting diverted by a well-meaning but anxious faculty member who doesn’t
have the strategic picture in mind? This HIGHLY interactive session will combine success stories, tales of woe, and
maybe even a little role play to demonstrate proven techniques to close the deal.
Speakers: Kathy Lynch, Director of Corporate Relations, Boston University, and Anne O’Donnell, Executive Director for
Corporate Research Partnerships, UC San Diego
2:45 – 3:30 • Sharing the Love: Stewardship of Corporate Partners
Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something that has been entrusted to you. In the context of
corporate relations, it is imperative that in addition to prospecting for new partners and revenue, we also steward
what we already have – show our institutional “love” for donors and other, existing corporate customers. The
presenter will review common areas of academic engagement and share examples and best practices for stewardship,
with the hope that it will become clear that this is a core activity in a successful, corporate relations program.
Speaker: Mark Putnam, Director of Corporate Relations, University of Houston
3:30 – 3:45 • Networking Break
3:45 – 4:45 • From Blueprint to Reality: A University Panel Discussion
This final session of the day will focus on pulling together all the essential elements as well as touch on the metrics of
running a successful corporate relations team as described in the NACRO white papers on the same subject. The
format will be a panel discussion led by NACRO members who are driving the strategies of each of their respective
teams. We will have representation from public and private universities as well as small and large offices of corporate
relations. The session will culminate with a Q & A session providing an opportunity to address any additional questions
from presentations throughout the day.
Speakers: Todd Cleland, Director, Industry Relations, University of Washington; Barry Dickerson, Senior Director of
Development, University of Illinois; Mona Ellerbrock, Director of Corporate Relations, UC Davis; and Brandon Zollner,
Director of Corporate Relations, Rose-Hulman
4:45 • Closing Comments
1:30 - 4:00 • Registration
Location: Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
3:00: Preconference Option: Georgetown University Tour
Location: TBD
Walking tour of Georgetown University providing an overview of campus sites and historic buildings. Space is limited to
the first 20 registrants for each tour.
4:00: Preconference Option: Georgetown University Tour
Location: TBD
Walking tour of Georgetown University providing an overview of campus sites and historic buildings. Space is limited to
the first 20 registrants for each tour.
5:00 - 7:00 • Registration (badge pickup for pre-registered conference attendees only)
Location: Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall
6:00 – 8:00 • Opening Night Reception
Location: Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall
Network with colleagues at the first official event of the conference. NACRO Committee Speed Networking. Wear your
school colors.
Speakers: NACRO Co-Presidents: Mary Beth Maddox, Executive Director, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering &
Science of Texas, and Jon See, Director of Communications, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
6:45 – 11:00 • Registration
Location: Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
7:15 – 8:15 • Breakfast
Location: Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall
8:15 – 8:30 • Walk to Morning Sessions (from Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall to Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building)
8:30 – 8:45 • Opening Remarks
Location: Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
NACRO Co-Presidents: Mary Beth Maddox, Executive Director, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of
Texas, and Jon See, Director of Communications, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University
Conference Planning Committee Co-Chairs Brian Darmody, Associate Vice President, Corporate and Foundation
Relations, University of Maryland, and Justine Schaffner, Assistant Dean, Alumni and External Relations, McDonough
School of Business, Georgetown University
8:45 – 9:45 • Keynote Address
Location: Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
Speaker: Dr. Willie E. May, Acting Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology
9:45 – 9:55 • Networking Break
Location: Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
10:00 – 11:00 • Concurrent Session • Models of Success for Corporate Foundations
Location: Fisher Colloquium, Hariri Building
This session will feature a panel of corporate foundation leaders discussing different models used within their
organizations for establishing and operating corporate foundations. The discussion will explore challenges that arise for
corporations in establishing and growing their charitable foundations, different models and tools utilized in building
successful programs, and trends anticipated for corporate giving models in the future.
Speakers: GE Foundation (invited) and Bank of America Charitable Foundation (invited)
Moderator: William Novelli, Distinguished Professor of the Practice, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown
University
10:00 – 11:00 • Concurrent Session • Working With Your University Government Relations Team to Amplify
Corporate Partnerships
Location: Case Room 240, Hariri Building
Research universities have teams devoted to strengthening ties with the corporate community and other teams focused
on building relationships with state and federal elected officials, but they don’t always work together. Former H-P and
Cal Tech executive Wayne Johnson’s famous Continuum of Corporate-University Relationships shows the highest and
most advanced strategic partner level including corporations lobbying state officials on behalf of universities. How do we
incentivize both government and corporate relations teams working together? What are best practices?
Speakers: Laura A. Frerichs, Director, University of Illinois Research Park and Director of Economic Development, UIUC
Public Engagement; Jennifer Poulakidas, Vice President, Congressional and Governmental Affairs, Association of Public
and Land-grant Universities; and Ross Stern, Assistant to President and Director of State Government Relations,
University of Maryland
Moderator: Brian Darmody, Associate Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Relations, University of Maryland
10:00 – 11:00 • Concurrent Session • Industry Capstones: Mutually Beneficial Partnerships
Location: Case Room 250, Hariri Building
Engaging industry and corporate executives on campus is key to the longevity of a university partnership. Industry
Capstone Projects offer opportunities for companies to engage with top talent, develop an idea, interact with faculty
and have access to university resources. Effectively managing these programs takes dedicated staff and an ample
amount of time. Join us to hear from three universities that have developed programs that are mutually beneficial to
their university, industry and students, and of course, bring in revenue for their school or department. Attendees will
hear a brief history of the program, lessons learned and strategies they can implement at their own institutions to
engage companies beyond the projects.
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
Speakers: Ara Arabyan, Director, Engineering Clinic, University of Arizona; Barry C. Olsan, Director of Corporate
Relations, Harvey Mudd College; and Jessica Watts, Director of Corporate Relations, University of Texas at Dallas
Moderator: Todd Cleland, Director, Industry Relations, University of Washington
10:00 – 11:00 • Concurrent Session • Cybersecurity: The Industry-Government-Academia Nexus
Location: Case Room 350, Hariri Building
Cybersecurity is an important strategic priority for the United States and the international community, both from a
national security perspective and from the point of view of protecting commerce. Universities are responding rapidly to
industry and government demands for solutions and skilled workers by standing up research centers, academic
programs and new collaborative initiatives. Our panel will feature industry representatives who represent different
motivations for partnering with universities on cybersecurity, such as federal teaming, recruitment, workforce
development, and joint research and technology development.
Speakers: Charles F. Day, President/CEO, Charles F. Day & Associates, L.L.C.; Josephine Micallef, Executive Director,
Applied Communications Sciences; Thomas Paonessa, Senior Principal, The MITRE Corporation; and Christopher
Valentino, Director of Strategy, Cyber Division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems
Moderator: Eric Chapman, Assistant Vice President, Research Development, University of Maryland
11:00 – 11:10 • Networking Break
Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
11:15 – 12:15 • Keynote Address
Location: Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
Speaker: Jim Dillard, Senior Vice President Regulatory Affairs and Chief Innovation Officer, Altria
12:15 – 12:25 • Walk to Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall
12:30 – 1:15 • Lunch and NACRO Business Meeting
Location: Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall
NACRO Co-Presidents: Mary Beth Maddox, Executive Director, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of
Texas, and Jon See, Director of Communications, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University
1:15 – 1:25 • Walk to Concurrent Sessions (Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall to Hariri Building)
1:30 – 2:30 • Concurrent Session • Maximizing Your Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities: A CRM Overview
Location: Case Room 240, Hariri Building
As Corporate Relations has become more integrated into the fabric of the university, information sharing and
transparency has become an essential feature of a successful program. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
software has become the buzz amongst institutions looking to better integrate their internal business units and
maximize the power of their corporate relationships. The demands of tracking the many interactions go beyond the
basic capabilities of most philanthropic fundraising constituent tracking systems. This interactive session will provide
insights into the process of building an institution-wide CRM including the opportunities, costs, and barriers to success.
We will review programs including Blackbaud, Salesforce, and even custom-built programs.
Speakers: Brent Burns, Director of Industry Relations, Michigan Technological Institute, and Mark Nolan, Director of IT
and Economic Development, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Moderator: Anson Fatland, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Washington State University
1:30 – 2:30 • Concurrent Session • Councils, Affiliates, Advisors: The How-To’s of Dating and Building a Corporate
Relationship
Location: Case Room 250, Hariri Building
Companies like to date before getting married. What better way to date than to invite a company to join an Advisory
Council? Like any dating relationship you need to remember to call, send flowers and keep the momentum going.
Come learn about some successful dating tactics and if you’re lucky enough, how to put a ring on it.
Speakers: Julie Brandis, Director, Corporate Relations, Oregon State University Foundation; Mark Putnam, Executive
Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, University of Houston; and Morrel Wax, Assistant Director, Corporate
and Foundation Relations, Miami University
Moderator: Adria Shelton Alhadeff, Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, Washington State University
FIN
NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
1:30 – 2:30 • Concurrent Session • Cybersecurity: The Industry-Government-Academia Nexus
Location: Case Room 350, Hariri Building
Cybersecurity is an important strategic priority for the United States and the international community, both from a
national security perspective and from the point of view of protecting commerce. Universities are responding rapidly to
industry and government demands for solutions and skilled workers by standing up research centers, academic
programs and new collaborative initiatives. Our panel will feature industry representatives who represent different
motivations for partnering with universities on cybersecurity, such as federal teaming, recruitment, workforce
development, and joint research and technology development.
Speakers: Charles F. Day, President/CEO, Charles F. Day & Associates, L.L.C.; Josephine Micallef, Executive Director,
Applied Communications Sciences; Thomas Paonessa, Senior Principal, The MITRE Corporation; and Christopher
Valentino, Director of Strategy, Cyber Division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems
Moderator: Eric Chapman, Assistant Vice President, Research Development, University of Maryland
1:30 – 2:30 • Concurrent Session • Case Study: Development & Career Services Together Build Effective
University/Corporate Partnerships
Location: Case Room 340, Hariri Building
A strategic partnership between the Development Office and Career Opportunities and Employer Relations (COER) at
the Missouri University of Science and Technology is resulting in new internship/employment opportunities for
students, increased visibility of the university, and new and/or increased corporate giving. This session describes the
growing relationship between Missouri S&T and Halliburton, and how combined efforts resulted in a 50% increase in
Halliburton’s giving and helped put Missouri S&T in position for “key school” recruitment consideration for a new
Halliburton initiative.
Speakers: Lisa Cunico, Recruiting Specialist, Halliburton, and Edna M. Grover-Bisker, Director, Career Opportunities &
Employer Relations, Missouri University of Science & Technology
Moderator: Darla Harmon, Senior Development Officer, Corporations & Foundations, Missouri University of Science
& Technology
2:30 – 2:40 • Networking Break
Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
2:45 – 3:45 • Concurrent Session • Maximizing Your Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities: A CRM Overview
Location: Case Room 240, Hariri Building
As Corporate Relations has become more integrated into the fabric of the university, information sharing and
transparency has become an essential feature of a successful program. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
software has become the buzz amongst institutions looking to better integrate their internal business units and
maximize the power of their corporate relationships. The demands of tracking the many interactions are beyond the
basic capabilities of most philanthropic fundraising constituent tracking systems. This interactive session will provide
insights into the process of building an institution-wide CRM including the opportunities, costs, and barriers to success.
We will review programs including Blackbaud, Salesforce, and even custom-built programs.
Speakers: Brent Burns, Director of Industry Relations, Michigan Technological Institute, and J. Mark Nolan, Director of IT
and Economic Development, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Moderator: Anson Fatland, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Washington State University
2:45 – 3:45 • Concurrent Session • “If it’s Tuesday, This Must be Beijing”: The Value Proposition of Corporate
Relations in an International Setting
Location: Case Room 350, Hariri Building
This panel discussion for seasoned corporate relations officers features former colleagues who have taken on the
challenge of working abroad and transformed their roles into international relations for their universities. Topics will
include how to begin, what resources must be brought to bear, how the reality of the opportunity has stacked up
against the expectations, what best practices have been discovered, and how the university has capitalized on the
effort in a broader context.
Speakers: Mike Hugel, Senior Director, International Relations, The Wharton School; Wendy W. Kuran, Associate Vice
President for Business Development, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and China, Duke University; and David Weber,
Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, MIT Sloan School of Management
Moderator: Lucy Provost, Associate Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations, The Wharton School, University of
Pennsylvania
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
2:45 – 3:45 • Concurrent Session • Workforce Development: Forging New Industry-Academia Alliances
Location: Case Room 340, Hariri Building
Corporations and universities are partnering more closely than ever to develop new curricula and programs to meet
workforce development needs, regionally and nationally. NACRO members want to better understand how to assist
their institutions with forging this type of alliance. Our panel will feature representatives from industry, government
and the Business Higher Education Forum who have been actively involved in establishing new programs at universities
in fields such as cybersecurity, data science and media engineering.
Speakers: Steve Barkanic, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer, Business Higher Education Forum; Jessica
Clancy, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal; Michael Simpson, Director of Education and Workforce, Office
of Naval Research; and Christopher Valentino, Director of Strategy, Cyber Division, Northrop Grumman Information
Systems
Moderator: Jennifer Schwartz, Senior Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations, A. James Clark School of Engineering,
University of Maryland
2:45 – 3:45 • Concurrent Session • Millions of Reasons to Develop a University Wide Holistic Approach to
Corporate Relations
Location: Case Room 250, Hariri Building
Traditionally large corporate gifts to universities are for a single college, department or program. This session will
share with attendees how the University of Minnesota Foundation brought together the leaders of Land O’Lakes, a
Fortune 500 company, and University of Minnesota leaders to develop a $26M investment that supported faculty,
scholarships, classroom renovations, construction of a new building, Freshman Orientation and Gopher Sports
Properties. The investment supports Gopher Athletics, the Carlson School of Management, the College of Food
Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences and the College of Science and Engineering and aligns with the strategic
priorities of the company.
Speakers: Land O’Lakes (invited); Erik Thurman, VP of Development, University of Minnesota
Moderator: Mr. Steve Corkery, Sr. Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, University of Minnesota
3:45 – 3:55 • Networking Break
Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
4:00 – 5:00 • Find Your People: Affinity Group Discussions (Corporate Relations Structure)
For the second year, NACRO members have the opportunity to participate in an Affinity Group. The groups are designed
around the primary constituencies we serve in our Corporate Relations roles: Business, Central (Large and Small Offices),
Engineering, Medical/Health Sciences, and Research & Economic Development. During these concurrent sessions,
members will share interests, common goals and current challenges. Affinity sessions are designed to be conversational
with a moderator and discussion leaders. In an effort to prepare the moderators, we urge participants to submit a
question or challenge ahead of time.
If you notice that we are missing an affinity group – please let Julie Brandis know. [email protected]
Affinity Group: Business
Location: Case Room 250, Hariri Building
Moderators: Kelly Cline, Program Manager, Energy and Environment Initiative, Rice Energy and Environment Institute,
and Angela Wimmer, Director of Corporate Relations, Auburn University
Affinity Group: Large Central Office
Location: Fisher Colloquium, Hariri Building
Moderators: Julie Brandis, Director of Corporate Relations, Oregon State University Foundation; Jessica Shepard Watts,
Director of Corporate Relations, UT Dallas; and Olof Westerstahl, Associate Director of Corporate Relations, Office of the
Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Affinity Group: Small Central Office
Location: Case Room 240, Hariri Building
Moderators: Eric Bacyinski, Relationship Manager, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Morrel Wax, Assistant Director
of Development for Corporate & Foundation Relations, Miami University
Affinity Group: Engineering
Location: Case Room 340, Hariri Building
Moderators: Brent Burns, Director of Industry Relations, Michigan Tech University, and David Lipari, Director of
Corporate Relations, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Affinity Group: Medical/Life Sciences
Location: Case Room 350, Hariri Building
Moderators: Kristine Haskett, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, College of Natural Sciences, University of
Texas at Austin, and Linda Lopez-George, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, The University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
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Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
Affinity Group: Research/Economic Devt Location: Case Room 150, Hariri Building
Moderator: Mona Ellerbrock, Director of Corporate Relations, UC Davis, and Charlie Haseman, Assistant VP for
Innovation & Economic Development, Michigan State University
5:00 – 5:25 • Networking Break (walk to Healey Family Student Center)
5:30 – 7:30 • Evening Reception
Location: Healey Family Student Center
Speakers: Mary Ann Rankin, Provost, University of Maryland, and Georgetown University (TBC)
Thursday, July 16, 2015
6:45 – 9:00 • Registration
Location: Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
7:00 – 9:00 • Luggage Drop-off
This room is for holding luggage only, and will be locked and unsupervised between 9:00 and 11:00. We recommend
that you keep any valuables with you. You leave your belongings at your own risk; Georgetown University and NACRO
staff and volunteers assume no responsibility for anything left at this location.
Location: TBD, Hariri Building
7:15 – 8:15 • Breakfast/Affinity Group Tables (University Type)
Location: Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall
We know that “affinity” comes from our structure as well as they type of university we represent. During breakfast, join
a group of NACRO members from similar universities. This will be a less formal conversation than the Wednesday
afternoon affinity groups. Still, we anticipate the conversation to be lively and informative. Grab your breakfast and join
a table that suits you.
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•
•
•
•
Public & Land Grant Universities: Mona Ellerbrock, Director of Corporate Relations, UC Davis, and Charlie
Haseman, Assistant VP for Innovation & Economic Development, Michigan State University
Private Universities: TBA
Private & Public Colleges: TBA
Satellite Campuses: Eric Bacyinski, Relationship Manager, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Linda LopezGeorge, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San
Antonio
International Universities: TBA
8:15 – 8:25 • Walk to Concurrent Sessions (Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall to Hariri Building)
8:30-9:30 • Concurrent Session • Beyond the Career Fair: Building Creative University-Corporate Partnerships
through Your University Career Center
Location: Case Room 240, Hariri Building
The need to secure a consistent talent pipeline often underlies corporate interest in building university partnerships. As
companies focus their recruiting efforts on an increasingly limited number of “core” schools, multi-faceted relationships
are sought to facilitate recruiting, shared research opportunities, advisory board membership, alumni philanthropy,
brand affiliation, and other business interests, beyond career fair relationships. Campus career centers can play a key
role in opening doors to new corporate partnerships, as well as maintaining core school status.
Speakers: Caroline Baker, Assistant Vice President for Careers and Corporate Partnerships, University of Maryland
Baltimore County; Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Assistant Dean & Executive Director, University Career Services, George
Mason University; and Jeffrey D. Kudisch, Managing Director, Office of Career Services, Robert H. Smith School of
Business, University of Maryland
Moderator: Tracy Lee, Director of Corporate Relations, University of Maryland
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
8:30 – 9:30 • Concurrent Session • Achieving Success: Careers in Corporate Relations
Location: Case Room 250, Hariri Building
The road to success can have many twists and turns. How does a corporate relations officer navigate success throughout
their career? Join us for a panel discussion from a diverse group of professionals, who have each taken their own route
to success. They will share what helped guide them along the way, rocks and bumps to overcome, and how a fork in the
road can sometimes lead to a better destination.
Speakers: Jill Bond, Director of Corporate Relations, George Mason University; Joanne Morse, Associate Director of
Corporate Relations, George Washington University; and Michael Ransom, Assistant Dean for Advancement, College of
Engineering, Syracuse University
Moderator: Sacha Patera, Director of Law-STEM Initiatives, Northwestern University School of Law
8:30 – 9:30 • Concurrent Session • Teamwork: Industry-Academia Partnerships in Pursuit of Federal Research
Funding
Location: Case Room 340, Hariri Building
Many corporate relations professionals are seeing private sector collaborations on federally- funded projects
increase. This may be in response to an industry request for partnership, faculty seeking industry collaborators in
support of their proposals, or multiple universities partnering on major, federal funding opportunities. Whether
working in the domain of Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences, or beyond, what do I need to know to make these
partnerships mutually successful? What are the issues and obstacles in forming these partnerships? Where are the
opportunities? Representatives from companies and associations will discuss their views on a shared vision of
success.
Speakers: Richard Bendis, President/CEO, BioHealth Innovation; Will Goodman, Vice President for Policy, National
Defense Industrial Association; and Art Morrish, VP & CTO, Electronic Systems Group, L-3 Communications (invited)
Moderator: J. Mark Nolan, Director, IT and Economic Development, Office of Corporate Relations, Office of the
Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
8:30 – 9:30 • Concurrent Session • Business Analytics, Eschew Obfuscation
Location: Case Room 350, Hariri Building
Business Analytics? Business Intelligence? Big Data? We have more information at our fingertips than ever before and
those who clearly understand the data are poised to succeed. According to surveys of findings from faculty, students
and industry practitioners in the Business Intelligence Congress II, there is a critical shortage of graduates with the
requisite business analytics skill-sets entering the workforce. This has been a motivating factor for many universities to
establish new programs and curricula, but what does it mean for university corporate partners? This session of industry
executives will cover 100-700 level content on university/industry best practices around emerging Business Analytics
programs.
Speakers: Robert Dolan, Jr., Worldwide Industry Executive for Education, IBM Analytics; James M. Everidge, President,
Rapid Learning Deployment, LLC; McAfee (invited); and Walmart (invited)
Moderator: Angela Wimmer, Director of Corporate Relations, Auburn University
9:30 – 9:40 • Networking Break
Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
9:45 – 10:45 • Concurrent Session • Times they are A’Changin: The Quest for More Comprehensive Metrics
Location: Case Room 240, Hariri Building
Corporate relations offices of all shapes and sizes are beginning to re-evaluate how they measure success. As corporate
philanthropy shifts and universities evolve their approach to industry engagement, so do productive relationships grow
beyond classic metrics. In this highly interactive workshop, individuals from different types of CR shops will guide
groups as they discuss what makes alternative offices unique, consider what has and hasn’t worked, and review how
metrics are evolving as priorities and tactics shift. This session will attempt to map and scale the metrics components
used by institutions represented in the room and present best-practice examples of implementing new comprehensive
measures for success.
Speakers: Tracy Lee, Director of Corporate Relations, University of Maryland, and Lorena McLaren, Interim Director,
Office of Corporate & Institutional Partnerships, Carnegie Mellon University
Moderators: Kristen Palumbo, Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, University of Maryland; Robin
Seth Shaw, Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, University of Houston; and Melissa M. Smith, Interim Development
Associate, Center for Business Engagement, University of Rochester
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NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
AL
Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
9:45 – 10:45 • Concurrent Session • Special Challenges for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions
Location: Case Room 250, Hariri Building
Recognizing the unique challenges that undergraduate institutions face in corporate relations, the Rose-Hulman
corporate engagement team will facilitate a group discussion with session participants to identify best practices and
ideas on how to work through challenges unique to undergraduate-focused institutions. Rather than research, an
undergraduate- focused institution’s corporate relationships may be more centered on career services, student
engagement, short term project work or sponsorship, continuing education initiatives, and long term curricular
feedback. There are also challenges associated with making these types of collaborations feel less transactional and
more relationship-driven. As a result, corporations may need coaching and help with constructing new frameworks in
order to realize the benefits of partnering with various programs available within an undergraduate institution.
Moderators: Elizabeth Hagerman, Vice President, Rose-Hulman Ventures, and Brandon Zollner, Director of Corporate
Relations, Rose-Hulman
9:45 – 10:45 • Concurrent Session • International Corporate Relations—Is It in Your Backyard?
Location: Case Room 340, Hariri Building
The panel will showcase foreign firms who are building alliances with domestic universities. The moderator will
introduce the topic and present reasons for and potential outcomes of engaging in international corporate relations at
the local level, and will also provide information on resources for identifying countries with substantial investment in
your state and locating agencies to assist in making connections. Foreign company panelists will present a 30,000-foot
view of philanthropy and research in their home country and the nature of their interactions with U.S. universities.
Speakers: Samuel Mclaughlin, External Research Mgr., N American Region, Volvo Group Trucks Technology
Moderator: Melissa Erekson, Executive Director of Corporate, Foundation and Research Relations, Tulane University
9:45 – 10:45 • Concurrent Session • Centers of Excellence: An Industry Perspective (Benchmarking)
Location: Case Room 350, Hariri Building
Successful Industry/University (I/U) Centers require contributions from both parties and thoughtful channels of
communication. In this session, we propose to ask three industry representatives to speak on their perspectives as to
what has made their current Center engagement with respective NACRO members effective. Session participants will
come away with a better understanding of industry perspectives as well as common “industry pitfalls” to avoid when
working with an I/U Center.
Speakers: Tom Shaginaw, University Research Program Manager, General Electric; John Lindbo, Research &
Innovation Fellow, HM.Clause; and Ramesh Varma, Consulting Engineer, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
Moderators: Mona Ellerbrock, Director of Corporate Relations, UC Davis, and Victor Haroldsen, Partnership
Coordinator, UC Davis
10:45 – 10:45 • Networking Break
Outside Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
11:00 – 12:00 Plenary Session: The Evolving Role of the Corporate Relations Officer in Economic Development
Location: Lohrfink Auditorium, Hariri Building
Universities play a key role in economic development in their community, state and region. As the scope of the Corporate
Relations Officer continues to expand, economic development is increasingly becoming a greater piece of their portfolio. In
a number of universities, corporate relations offices are based in the Economic Development office. This session will explore
the different facets of economic development in the context of higher education and the intersection of interests with the
role of the corporate relations officer.
Speakers: Anson Fatland, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Washington State University; Marc
Gibson, Senior Director of Corporate Engagement, University of Tennessee Knoxville; and Stella Wixom, Executive
Director, University of Michigan Business Engagement Center
Moderator: Jill Bond, Director of Corporate Relations, George Mason University
Closing Remarks
NACRO Co-Presidents: Mary Beth Maddox, Executive Director, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas,
and Jon See, Director of Communications, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University
Incoming NACRO Co-Presidents: Ryan Elias, Director of Corporate Relations, UT Dallas, and Stacey Willenborg, Director of
Corporate Relations, Warrington College of Business Administration, University of Florida
11:00 – 1:00 • Luggage Pick-Up
At your own risk. Room will be unstaffed and left unlocked after 1:00.
Location: TBD, Hariri Building
NACRO 2015 Annual Conference
FIN
Washington,
D.C.
Georgetown University, co-hosted with University of AL
Maryland
July 14 – 16, 2015
12:00 • Conference Close
Location: Fisher Colloquium, Hariri Building
Boxed Lunches to go
Please do not book flight reservations departing before 3:00pm on Thursday.