Redefining alumni relations

Author's Biography

Heather Makrez serves as Executive Director of Alumni & Donor Relations at University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell). She has over 10 years of experience in higher education with a demonstrated passion for student access, alumni engagement, stewardship, and university and community partnerships. At UMass Lowell, she oversees the Alumni Relations and Donor Relations Division including reunions, regional programmes, volunteer networks, stewardship, donor relations, benefits, alumni career services and future alumni programmes. Since she took her first position in the Office of Alumni Relations in 2009, the department has doubled in size and they have engaged double the number of alumni in more meaningful programmes. She is an advocate for creating a comprehensive alumni relations programme that offers entry points back to the university to create mutually beneficial partnerships with alumni, students, faculty, staff and the community and redefining the traditional perception of her field. Prior to this role, she was the Director of International Programs at UMass Dartmouth, and before that held a position in the President’s Office of the UMass System in Academic Affairs. She has published in higher education administration with social media and has written two theses, one on the role of general education in colleges and universities, and one on the importance of international education for Public Universities. Heather is also a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and serves on many non-profit boards within the community. She received both her BA in history and MA in regional economic and social development from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She is currently enrolled on a PhD programme for education leadership.

John Feudo is Vice Chancellor for Advancement at University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), leading his team through the university’s first ever campaign. With three decades of experience in development and non-profit management, John is an internationally-respected fundraising and engagement professional. Formerly Chief Development Officer for United Way of Massachusetts Bay, John spent eight years at Boston College as Associate Vice President and later as Senior Development Officer. From 1999 to 2006, John was Executive Director of the UConn Alumni Association, where he also built and led the association’s capital campaign. Prior to this, John spent six years as Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UMass Amherst. John previously worked in the alumni office at Tufts University and has been active in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He has chaired several conferences and has presented educational sessions on numerous occasions. In 2013, CASE District I honored John with the Eleanor Collier Award for distinguished service to the advancement profession. His first book, ‘Alumni Relations: A newcomer’s guide to success’, earned him CASE’s prestigious Warwick Research Award for Outstanding Published Scholarship. His second book, ‘Alumni Clubs and Chapters’, was also nominated for the Warwick Award in 2004. His other books include an updated edition of the Newcomer’s Guide; ‘I’d rather eat live spiders: A definitive guide to success in speaking’; and ‘Herding cats: How to effectively manage volunteers’. John recently completed a sixth book, targeted to senior alumni engagement professionals.