Team lead: Kristen Caldwell (B.S.’94), executive director, DAR Communications

How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?

• Advances VCU’s mission and strengthens community connections through integrated, strategic communications, delivering intentional, consistent messaging and impactful storytelling that highlights the impact of giving and engagement to alumni, donors, friends, families and colleagues.

What does this team do?

• Manages vcualumni.org, support.vcu.edu and VCU Alumni social channels.
• Produces VCU Magazine.
• Produces two donor impact books annually.
• Collaborates with DAR and campus partners to create communications strategies and content that support engagement and philanthropic initiatives.
• Develops and executes campaign communications.
• Creates impactful content in various media.
• Provides communications best practices and helps DAR partners adhere to university branding guidelines.

When should you contact this team?

• If you need communications strategy planning or need content to support engagement and philanthropic efforts.

Team lead: Katie Buzby (B.S.’10), senior director, DAR Marketing

How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?

DAR Marketing works with partners enterprise-wide to enhance efforts that increase engagement, retention and philanthropic results.

What does this team do?

• Strategizes, plans and executes universitywide efforts that engage segmented constituencies via multiple channels.
• Works with partners to deliver emails and mailing lists to all DAR constituencies. 
• Develops and implements digital marketing strategy to increase engagement and philanthropy.

When should you contact this team?

• If you need a mass communication sent to any DAR audience.
• If you need marketing strategy.

Team lead: Ashley Burton, (M.S.’23) executive director, DAR Signature Events

• DAR Signature Events jointly reports to Alumni Engagement and Strategic Marketing and Engagement. 

How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?

• Using constituent data and industry best practices, this team creates and implements strategic, meaningful in-person and virtual experiences for VCU constituencies that result in increased engagement and giving and foster an ongoing culture of philanthropy.
• Reports jointly to the AVP, Strategic Marketing and Engagement, and the AVP, Alumni Relations.

What does this team do?

• Sets a strategic vision and oversees, plans and measures events, including reunions, homecoming, alumni recognition programs, universitywide stewardship events and more.
• Produces events that showcase the achievements of alumni, donors, students, patients and employees; elevate the university’s national and international prominence; and inspire engagement and giving.

When should you contact this team?

• If you need advice, vision or assistance for major universitywide events or recognition programs.
• If you need assistance planning reunion, alumni award, investiture or scholarship events.

Team lead: Jenn Papenfuse (M.P.A.'06/H&S), Executive Director, Donor Engagement

How does this team fulfill the DAR mission?

• The Donor Engagement team’s work enhances relationships with alumni and friends, encourages new, continued and elevated support for VCU and reinforces the university’s reputation for effective gift management, integrity and caring.

What does this team do?

• Provides donor engagement leadership and best practices for DAR colleagues.
• Develops strategy, plans and executes broad-based stewardship and engagement efforts to include donor recognition society, fund and behavior-based outreach.
• Serves as the subject matter experts for the digital stewardship platforms Ovrture and ThankView.
• Develops and executes endowment reports for the Monroe Park Campus Foundations.
• Advocates for and tracks donor intent and fund use.

When should you contact this team?

• If you have questions about DAR’s overall donor engagement strategies or specific engagement efforts.