CASE xChange

In this episode, we talk to Kevin Lynch, Director of Marketing & Communications at Shanghai American School (SAS). Previously from BBDO, Kevin shares how he combined his advertising experience with his experience as a parent of an SAS student and started his journey as the first Director of Marketing & Communications at SAS. We explore with Kevin why storytelling is important, how to tell a good story, and how it can give supporters the ability to be transformed into advocates and drivers of the brand - building a solid and vibrant community.

Kevin also discusses how SAS came up with a masterful piece of storytelling (click here for the full video) for SAS’s 2020 online graduation ceremony to captivate their audience with a powerful message to celebrate the graduating cohort's accomplishments. Listeners can also pick up a few interesting anecdotes from SAS' story finding on who is responsible for restarting the school in 1980, and on how they named a new conference room.

Sue Cunningham speaks with Dr Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Tasmania in Australia. They explore how the pandemic has provided focus upon the importance of the small things in life that truly make a difference. They look back on the innovations that arose in finance out of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and what lessons those innovations may provide for higher education in this current context.

Learn more about Tasmania, its role as the gateway to Southern Ocean and the Antarctic; its complex history, and how Rufus stewards the University through attention to its communities to ensure it meets Tasmania’s needs.

Sue Cunningham speaks with Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal, University of Edinburgh about his leadership of the University of Edinburgh, life under COVID-19, and the similarities and differences in leading universities in Hong Kong and in the United Kingdom. They discuss the importance of advancement, and how it is at different stages of evolution regionally. Professor Mathieson shares his view on the immense value of Edinburgh’s 200,000 – member strong “fantastic army of people with an interest in the university.” And finally, hear what he is most looking forward to once travel is a possibility again – it will make you smile.

What is the CASE Asia-Pacific Graduate Trainee Programme (GTP)? Is it valuable to help my institution identify passionate advancement talent?

In this episode, we hear from Karen Brown, Senior Manager, Planned Giving, External Relations, Development and Alumni, Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor at Monash University about her journey as a GTP supervisor since 2018. Now in its 3rd year, Monash has successfully recruited their past 2 graduates as full-time employees. She shares her experience working with current trainees and how Monash plans their programme in the current environment, including job rotations within different departments. She also touches on the importance of mental wellbeing of the trainees, ensuring they have a support system to rely on. Hear from first-hand experience on how the GTP is a two-way learning process, with not only the trainees learning from experienced colleagues, but also making an impact on the work environment at Monash.

In this episode of CASE xChange, Heather and Brad caught up with Ben Clark, Head of Philanthropy and Social Investment at Australian Executor Trustees (AET). They talk about Ben’s journey from the arts and auctions to his current role at AET, and his experience in managing philanthropists, trusts and foundations. Their conversation also explores donor trends, strategic thinking on philanthropic investments and philanthropic stabilisation funds - an innovative funding model pioneered in the US and Canada. Ben also shares his insights on asking during times of uncertainty.