2025 Advancement Retreat

presented by:

• Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner, Mission & Data
• Sadie Albertyn, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Mission & Data

Let’s be honest—enrollment, marketing, and fundraising data can be overwhelming. Spreadsheets and static reports capture numbers, but they don’t always provide the actionable insights needed for mission-aligned change. But what if the data in your reports didn’t just overwhelm others —what if they told a story?

Data storytelling transforms raw numbers into clear, persuasive visuals. It’s the key to turning complex information into insights your Head of School or Board can easily understand and act on. After all, a spreadsheet might contain the numeric truth, but a great data story brings it to life.

One of the most powerful tools for data storytelling? Dashboards. A well-crafted dashboard isn’t just a collection of charts—it’s a game-changer.  A well-crafted dashboard illuminates trends, tracks progress, and fosters a shared understanding across your team. It also simplifies the process of creating compelling presentations making it easier to tell your data story with confidence.

This session will help you cut through the noise, transforming marketing, enrollment, and fundraising data into visuals that tell a compelling story. Join us and take the numb out of your numbers!

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track

About the Presenters:

Ari Betof, EdD, MBA is Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data. He is an industry leading expert in independent school financial sustainability and organizational stewardship. Ari has served as a trustee, head of school, chief advancement officer, director of institutional advancement, director of enrollment management, director of strategic planning, and faculty member. He has been an instructor in PennGSE’s Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Leadership Master’s Program, as well as a faculty member in the NAIS School Leadership Institute. Ari has served as a mentor in Harvard University’s School Leadership Program and Cornell University’s Executive MBA Mentor Program. Sadie Albertyn, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Mission & Data

Sadie Albertyn is Mission & Data’s Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, leveraging expertise in finance, educational leadership, and student-centered program design. She began her career at Bridgewater Associates, advising municipal and state retirement systems, before shifting to independent schools. With 15+ years as a teacher, department chair, dean, and division head in U.S. and international schools, she now helps schools operationalize strategic initiatives. Sadie serves on the board of a K-8 school for students with language-based learning differences. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Barnard College and a master’s from the University of Massachusetts.

presented by: 

• Mallory Burgan, Director of Advancement Services, Friends Select School
• Caroline Slingluff, Associate Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions, Friends Select School
• Angela Winterrowd, Director of Leadership Gifts, Friends Select School

Admissions and development teams share a common goal—building a strong and engaged school community. But how can admissions officers help uncover potential donors during the admissions process? This session will explore how strategic, open-ended conversations with prospective families can reveal key insights that development teams can use to identify and cultivate new donors.

Participants will learn how to ask thoughtful questions that may surface wealth indicators, discover the “green flags” development officers look for, and understand how to effectively share this information to support fundraising efforts. Development professionals will gain strategies for assessing and prioritizing prospects among newly enrolled families.

By strengthening collaboration between admissions and development, schools can enhance their ability to build lasting philanthropic relationships. Join us for a practical discussion on turning admissions insights into meaningful fundraising opportunities.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track

About the Presenters:

Mallory Burgan, CFRE, is the director of advancement services at Friends Select School. She is a self-described Raiser’s Edge nerd who loves a good spreadsheet. Caroline Slingluff is the associate director of middle and upper school admission. She has worked in both college and secondary admissions for 15 years. Angela Winterrowd is the director of leadership gifts at Friends Select. She is responsible for overseeing the PA tax credit program, and working with parents and alumni on making major gifts to support endowment and capital projects.

Caroline Slingluff is in her 4th year as the associate director of middle and upper school admission at Friends Select School. She has spent her career working in admissions, spending five years in college admissions at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York before moving to secondary school admissions in Philadelphia. Prior to her role at FSS, she served as the associate director of middle school admissions at The Agnes Irwin School for six years. In addition to supporting families through the admission process, Caroline also serves as a coach for the middle school tennis and softball teams. 

Angela Winterrowd is the director of leadership gifts at Friends Select. She is responsible for overseeing the PA tax credit program, and working with the Friends Select community (parents, grandparents, alumni) to cultivate and solicit major gifts to support endowment and capital projects.  Prior to joining Friends Select, Angela was a major gift officer at The College of New Jersey (her alma mater), and development director at Arden Theatre Company in Old City, Philadelphia. She serves on the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church in Moorestown, NJ.

presented by: Karl Boehm, Chief Growth Strategist, Help 100 Schools

This interactive session provides small schools with a clear framework for creating and executing a year-long enrollment plan. From setting actionable goals to identifying target personas and crafting positioning statements, participants will map out their strategic blueprint. The session will include an accountability exercise to ensure follow-through.

Participants will leave with practical tools, including templates for admissions personas and positioning statements, as well as a plan to align their goals with active strategies that maintain momentum throughout the year.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track, Small School Track

About the Presenter:

Karl Boehm is the Founder and Chief Growth Strategist for Help 100 Schools and Spiral Marketing for Schools. With over 20 years of experience in enrollment marketing, he has helped numerous independent schools achieve sustainable growth. Karl specializes in bridging leadership and admissions teams to create actionable strategies that drive results. Through Spiral Marketing and Help One Hundred Schools, Karl delivers dynamic workshops and hands-on sessions tailored to the unique needs of private and independent schools.

presented by:  

• Chris Polito, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
• Erin Wooley, Chief Advancement Officer, Independence Mission Schools

To navigate today’s landscape, independent schools must understand the key factors and forces shaping philanthropy. This session will share insights on the current state of the nonprofit sector overall and considerations specific to independent schools, drawing from CCS’s 2025 Philanthropy Pulse Report provides a window into recent performance and current outlook. Based on data from 646 organizations across 34 countries and 46 US states, including nearly 100 independent schools, this report highlights the challenges and successes experienced in a rapidly evolving world. In this session attendees will learn how their peers are addressing critical topics such as annual funds, endowments, donor acquisition and retention, campaigns, and technological advancements. We will also examine Independence Mission Schools' first-ever fundraising campaign: Reimagining Our Schools: The Campaign for IMS 2026. While IMS successfully achieved its goal, the team is now reflecting on missed opportunities to deepen engagement and maximize giving. What happens after a “successful” first campaign? What strategic moves can take fundraising to the next level—and how can organizations like IMS grow from bold beginnings into sustained philanthropic success?

presented by: Jim Daugdrill, National Director of Membership & Business Development, The Enrollment Management Association (EMA)

We all know independent school tuition growth has far outpaced inflation in recent decades, but what does this mean for families? In this session, we will explore just that. Drawing on EMA's first-of-its-kind report on parents' perceptions of affordability and perceived value of independent school education, we will share data and experiences from more than 900 families who applied for fall 2024 entry. Leave with a deeper understanding of parental concerns and values, empowering you to refine your marketing and outreach strategies while articulating a compelling value proposition for prospective families.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track

About the Presenter:

Prior to EMA, Jim was the dean of admission at McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, where he also served in a variety of roles on the school’s admission, development, and residential life teams. He transitioned to the independent school world in 2010 after spending the first year of his career as an investment banking analyst in Atlanta.

presented by:

• Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner, Mission & Data
• Sadie Albertyn, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Mission & Data

Let’s be honest—enrollment, marketing, and fundraising data can be overwhelming. Spreadsheets and static reports capture numbers, but they don’t always provide the actionable insights needed for mission-aligned change. But what if the data in your reports didn’t just overwhelm others —what if they told a story?

Data storytelling transforms raw numbers into clear, persuasive visuals. It’s the key to turning complex information into insights your Head of School or Board can easily understand and act on. After all, a spreadsheet might contain the numeric truth, but a great data story brings it to life.

One of the most powerful tools for data storytelling? Dashboards. A well-crafted dashboard isn’t just a collection of charts—it’s a game-changer.  A well-crafted dashboard illuminates trends, tracks progress, and fosters a shared understanding across your team. It also simplifies the process of creating compelling presentations making it easier to tell your data story with confidence.

This session will help you cut through the noise, transforming marketing, enrollment, and fundraising data into visuals that tell a compelling story. Join us and take the numb out of your numbers!

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track

About the Presenters:

Ari Betof, EdD, MBA is Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data. He is an industry leading expert in independent school financial sustainability and organizational stewardship. Ari has served as a trustee, head of school, chief advancement officer, director of institutional advancement, director of enrollment management, director of strategic planning, and faculty member. He has been an instructor in PennGSE’s Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Leadership Master’s Program, as well as a faculty member in the NAIS School Leadership Institute. Ari has served as a mentor in Harvard University’s School Leadership Program and Cornell University’s Executive MBA Mentor Program. Sadie Albertyn, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Mission & Data

Sadie Albertyn is Mission & Data’s Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, leveraging expertise in finance, educational leadership, and student-centered program design. She began her career at Bridgewater Associates, advising municipal and state retirement systems, before shifting to independent schools. With 15+ years as a teacher, department chair, dean, and division head in U.S. and international schools, she now helps schools operationalize strategic initiatives. Sadie serves on the board of a K-8 school for students with language-based learning differences. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Barnard College and a master’s from the University of Massachusetts.

presented by: Karl Boehm, Chief Growth Strategist, Help 100 Schools

This interactive session provides small schools with a clear framework for creating and executing a year-long enrollment plan. From setting actionable goals to identifying target personas and crafting positioning statements, participants will map out their strategic blueprint. The session will include an accountability exercise to ensure follow-through.

Participants will leave with practical tools, including templates for admissions personas and positioning statements, as well as a plan to align their goals with active strategies that maintain momentum throughout the year.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track, Small School Track

About the Presenter:

Karl Boehm is the Founder and Chief Growth Strategist for Help 100 Schools and Spiral Marketing for Schools. With over 20 years of experience in enrollment marketing, he has helped numerous independent schools achieve sustainable growth. Karl specializes in bridging leadership and admissions teams to create actionable strategies that drive results. Through Spiral Marketing and Help One Hundred Schools, Karl delivers dynamic workshops and hands-on sessions tailored to the unique needs of private and independent schools.

presented by:  

• Chris Polito, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
• Erin Wooley, Chief Advancement Officer, Independence Mission Schools

To navigate today’s landscape, independent schools must understand the key factors and forces shaping philanthropy. This session will share insights on the current state of the nonprofit sector overall and considerations specific to independent schools, drawing from CCS’s 2025 Philanthropy Pulse Report provides a window into recent performance and current outlook. Based on data from 646 organizations across 34 countries and 46 US states, including nearly 100 independent schools, this report highlights the challenges and successes experienced in a rapidly evolving world. In this session attendees will learn how their peers are addressing critical topics such as annual funds, endowments, donor acquisition and retention, campaigns, and technological advancements. We will also examine Independence Mission Schools' first-ever fundraising campaign: Reimagining Our Schools: The Campaign for IMS 2026. While IMS successfully achieved its goal, the team is now reflecting on missed opportunities to deepen engagement and maximize giving. What happens after a “successful” first campaign? What strategic moves can take fundraising to the next level—and how can organizations like IMS grow from bold beginnings into sustained philanthropic success?

presented by: Jim Daugdrill, National Director of Membership & Business Development, The Enrollment Management Association (EMA)

We all know independent school tuition growth has far outpaced inflation in recent decades, but what does this mean for families? In this session, we will explore just that. Drawing on EMA's first-of-its-kind report on parents' perceptions of affordability and perceived value of independent school education, we will share data and experiences from more than 900 families who applied for fall 2024 entry. Leave with a deeper understanding of parental concerns and values, empowering you to refine your marketing and outreach strategies while articulating a compelling value proposition for prospective families.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track

About the Presenter:

Prior to EMA, Jim was the dean of admission at McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, where he also served in a variety of roles on the school’s admission, development, and residential life teams. He transitioned to the independent school world in 2010 after spending the first year of his career as an investment banking analyst in Atlanta.

presented by:

• Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner, Mission & Data
• Sadie Albertyn, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Mission & Data

Let’s be honest—enrollment, marketing, and fundraising data can be overwhelming. Spreadsheets and static reports capture numbers, but they don’t always provide the actionable insights needed for mission-aligned change. But what if the data in your reports didn’t just overwhelm others —what if they told a story?

Data storytelling transforms raw numbers into clear, persuasive visuals. It’s the key to turning complex information into insights your Head of School or Board can easily understand and act on. After all, a spreadsheet might contain the numeric truth, but a great data story brings it to life.

One of the most powerful tools for data storytelling? Dashboards. A well-crafted dashboard isn’t just a collection of charts—it’s a game-changer.  A well-crafted dashboard illuminates trends, tracks progress, and fosters a shared understanding across your team. It also simplifies the process of creating compelling presentations making it easier to tell your data story with confidence.

This session will help you cut through the noise, transforming marketing, enrollment, and fundraising data into visuals that tell a compelling story. Join us and take the numb out of your numbers!

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track

About the Presenters:

Ari Betof, EdD, MBA is Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data. He is an industry leading expert in independent school financial sustainability and organizational stewardship. Ari has served as a trustee, head of school, chief advancement officer, director of institutional advancement, director of enrollment management, director of strategic planning, and faculty member. He has been an instructor in PennGSE’s Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Leadership Master’s Program, as well as a faculty member in the NAIS School Leadership Institute. Ari has served as a mentor in Harvard University’s School Leadership Program and Cornell University’s Executive MBA Mentor Program. Sadie Albertyn, Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Mission & Data

Sadie Albertyn is Mission & Data’s Senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, leveraging expertise in finance, educational leadership, and student-centered program design. She began her career at Bridgewater Associates, advising municipal and state retirement systems, before shifting to independent schools. With 15+ years as a teacher, department chair, dean, and division head in U.S. and international schools, she now helps schools operationalize strategic initiatives. Sadie serves on the board of a K-8 school for students with language-based learning differences. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Barnard College and a master’s from the University of Massachusetts.

presented by: 

• Mallory Burgan, Director of Advancement Services, Friends Select School
• Caroline Slingluff, Associate Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions, Friends Select School
• Angela Winterrowd, Director of Leadership Gifts, Friends Select School

Admissions and development teams share a common goal—building a strong and engaged school community. But how can admissions officers help uncover potential donors during the admissions process? This session will explore how strategic, open-ended conversations with prospective families can reveal key insights that development teams can use to identify and cultivate new donors.

Participants will learn how to ask thoughtful questions that may surface wealth indicators, discover the “green flags” development officers look for, and understand how to effectively share this information to support fundraising efforts. Development professionals will gain strategies for assessing and prioritizing prospects among newly enrolled families.

By strengthening collaboration between admissions and development, schools can enhance their ability to build lasting philanthropic relationships. Join us for a practical discussion on turning admissions insights into meaningful fundraising opportunities.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track

About the Presenters:

Mallory Burgan, CFRE, is the director of advancement services at Friends Select School. She is a self-described Raiser’s Edge nerd who loves a good spreadsheet. Caroline Slingluff is the associate director of middle and upper school admission. She has worked in both college and secondary admissions for 15 years. Angela Winterrowd is the director of leadership gifts at Friends Select. She is responsible for overseeing the PA tax credit program, and working with parents and alumni on making major gifts to support endowment and capital projects.

Caroline Slingluff is in her 4th year as the associate director of middle and upper school admission at Friends Select School. She has spent her career working in admissions, spending five years in college admissions at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York before moving to secondary school admissions in Philadelphia. Prior to her role at FSS, she served as the associate director of middle school admissions at The Agnes Irwin School for six years. In addition to supporting families through the admission process, Caroline also serves as a coach for the middle school tennis and softball teams. 

Angela Winterrowd is the director of leadership gifts at Friends Select. She is responsible for overseeing the PA tax credit program, and working with the Friends Select community (parents, grandparents, alumni) to cultivate and solicit major gifts to support endowment and capital projects.  Prior to joining Friends Select, Angela was a major gift officer at The College of New Jersey (her alma mater), and development director at Arden Theatre Company in Old City, Philadelphia. She serves on the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church in Moorestown, NJ.

presented by: Karl Boehm, Chief Growth Strategist, Help 100 Schools

This interactive session provides small schools with a clear framework for creating and executing a year-long enrollment plan. From setting actionable goals to identifying target personas and crafting positioning statements, participants will map out their strategic blueprint. The session will include an accountability exercise to ensure follow-through.

Participants will leave with practical tools, including templates for admissions personas and positioning statements, as well as a plan to align their goals with active strategies that maintain momentum throughout the year.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track, Small School Track

About the Presenter:

Karl Boehm is the Founder and Chief Growth Strategist for Help 100 Schools and Spiral Marketing for Schools. With over 20 years of experience in enrollment marketing, he has helped numerous independent schools achieve sustainable growth. Karl specializes in bridging leadership and admissions teams to create actionable strategies that drive results. Through Spiral Marketing and Help One Hundred Schools, Karl delivers dynamic workshops and hands-on sessions tailored to the unique needs of private and independent schools.

presented by:  

• Chris Polito, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
• Erin Wooley, Chief Advancement Officer, Independence Mission Schools

To navigate today’s landscape, independent schools must understand the key factors and forces shaping philanthropy. This session will share insights on the current state of the nonprofit sector overall and considerations specific to independent schools, drawing from CCS’s 2025 Philanthropy Pulse Report provides a window into recent performance and current outlook. Based on data from 646 organizations across 34 countries and 46 US states, including nearly 100 independent schools, this report highlights the challenges and successes experienced in a rapidly evolving world. In this session attendees will learn how their peers are addressing critical topics such as annual funds, endowments, donor acquisition and retention, campaigns, and technological advancements. We will also examine Independence Mission Schools' first-ever fundraising campaign: Reimagining Our Schools: The Campaign for IMS 2026. While IMS successfully achieved its goal, the team is now reflecting on missed opportunities to deepen engagement and maximize giving. What happens after a “successful” first campaign? What strategic moves can take fundraising to the next level—and how can organizations like IMS grow from bold beginnings into sustained philanthropic success?

presented by:

• Hudson Flynn, Sr. Marketing Manager, Boost My School
• Allison Cocozza, Annual Fund Officer, Agnes Irwin School

Unlocking higher participation is a key indicator of a thriving annual giving program—and it’s no coincidence. When more of your community is engaged, they’re not only more receptive to giving but also more likely to inspire others to join in. But for many schools, increasing participation can feel overwhelming. Whether you're building a culture of philanthropy from the ground up, tackling donor fatigue, or simply looking for fresh strategies, the key lies in rethinking how you engage your community and showcase impact.

In this session, hear how The Agnes Irwin School transformed its approach to participation— achieving alumni giving rates 3x the national average and nearly 100% parent participation in grades K-7. You'll get firsthand insights from their team, along with data-driven takeaways from Boost My School, the platform that powers their digital engagement. Drawing from 200+ independent K-12 schools across the U.S. We’ll uncover practical strategies you can apply to elevate your school’s giving culture and participation rates in FY26.

About the Presenters: 

Hudson Flynn is the Sr. Founding Marketing Manager at Boost My School. In his role, he's helped more than 200 K-12 schools rethink their annual giving strategies, presenting at various conferences including CASE-NAIS, TABS, and many State/Local association gatherings.

Allison Cocozza is the Annual Giving Officer at The Agnes Irwin School. Allison's focus is on Current Parent and Alumnae giving, and she leads the Development Department's efforts around community participation in the Annual Fund. Before joining Agnes Irwin's Development team, Allison worked as a Health Advocate and holds a B.A. in Healthcare Administration from Arcadia University. Outside of the office, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

presented by: Karl Boehm, Chief Growth Strategist, Help 100 Schools

This interactive session provides small schools with a clear framework for creating and executing a year-long enrollment plan. From setting actionable goals to identifying target personas and crafting positioning statements, participants will map out their strategic blueprint. The session will include an accountability exercise to ensure follow-through.

Participants will leave with practical tools, including templates for admissions personas and positioning statements, as well as a plan to align their goals with active strategies that maintain momentum throughout the year.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track,  Development Track, Small School Track

About the Presenter:

Karl Boehm is the Founder and Chief Growth Strategist for Help 100 Schools and Spiral Marketing for Schools. With over 20 years of experience in enrollment marketing, he has helped numerous independent schools achieve sustainable growth. Karl specializes in bridging leadership and admissions teams to create actionable strategies that drive results. Through Spiral Marketing and Help One Hundred Schools, Karl delivers dynamic workshops and hands-on sessions tailored to the unique needs of private and independent schools.

presented by:

• Hudson Flynn, Sr. Marketing Manager, Boost My School
• Allison Cocozza, Annual Fund Officer, Agnes Irwin School

Unlocking higher participation is a key indicator of a thriving annual giving program—and it’s no coincidence. When more of your community is engaged, they’re not only more receptive to giving but also more likely to inspire others to join in. But for many schools, increasing participation can feel overwhelming. Whether you're building a culture of philanthropy from the ground up, tackling donor fatigue, or simply looking for fresh strategies, the key lies in rethinking how you engage your community and showcase impact.

In this session, hear how The Agnes Irwin School transformed its approach to participation— achieving alumni giving rates 3x the national average and nearly 100% parent participation in grades K-7. You'll get firsthand insights from their team, along with data-driven takeaways from Boost My School, the platform that powers their digital engagement. Drawing from 200+ independent K-12 schools across the U.S. We’ll uncover practical strategies you can apply to elevate your school’s giving culture and participation rates in FY26.

About the Presenter: 

Hudson Flynn is the Sr. Founding Marketing Manager at Boost My School. In his role, he's helped more than 200 K-12 schools rethink their annual giving strategies, presenting at various conferences including CASE-NAIS, TABS, and many State/Local association gatherings.

Allison Cocozza is the Annual Giving Officer at The Agnes Irwin School. Allison's focus is on Current Parent and Alumnae giving, and she leads the Development Department's efforts around community participation in the Annual Fund. Before joining Agnes Irwin's Development team, Allison worked as a Health Advocate and holds a B.A. in Healthcare Administration from Arcadia University. Outside of the office, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

presented by: Jim Daugdrill, National Director of Membership & Business Development, The Enrollment Management Association (EMA)

We all know independent school tuition growth has far outpaced inflation in recent decades, but what does this mean for families? In this session, we will explore just that. Drawing on EMA's first-of-its-kind report on parents' perceptions of affordability and perceived value of independent school education, we will share data and experiences from more than 900 families who applied for fall 2024 entry. Leave with a deeper understanding of parental concerns and values, empowering you to refine your marketing and outreach strategies while articulating a compelling value proposition for prospective families.

Admissions & Enrollment Track, Communications & Marketing Track

About the Presenter:

Prior to EMA, Jim was the dean of admission at McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, where he also served in a variety of roles on the school’s admission, development, and residential life teams. He transitioned to the independent school world in 2010 after spending the first year of his career as an investment banking analyst in Atlanta.