You Can’t Engage Alumni with 1990s Tools and 2000s Mindsets
I’ve spent 20+ years in alumni relations and I’ve seen the system fail both alumni and staff. That’s why I built Spark Plug.
Why This Work Matters
Most alumni teams are underfunded, under-supported, and expected to deliver impossible results with generic tools.
Outreach is reactive, not proactive
Data is outdated or disconnected
Engagement feels like a chore instead of a win
I believe engagement should drive real outcomes - for alumni and for institutions.
I've Been in the Room. I Know What You’re Up Against.
For more than 20 years, I built and led alumni programs at major universities.
I know the pressure to prove ROI without real tools.
I’ve lived the reality of being asked to personalize at scale - with no time, no staff, and no support.
And I’ve also seen what works, when we stop treating alumni like targets and start treating them like people.
That’s why I built Spark Plug.
To help teams like yours stop guessing, stop burning out, and start showing up when it actually matters.
“Alumni don’t owe their alma maters anything.
But they will show up for the people who show up for them.”