Zoom
Panel Discussion: Partnering with Institutional Leaders to Maximize Planned Giving
panelists:
Dr. Sarah Fisher GardialDean, Jack C. Massey College of BusinessBelmont University
Susan HoltPresident and Senior ConsultantVision Philanthropy Group
Justin A. Myrick Sr., Ph.D.Retired Dean, Raymond B. Jones College of EngineeringLipscomb University
With planned gifts often representing the largest gift that donors make to an institution, there is an opportunity for institutional leaders to help shape the vision to inspire such transformative gifts. What roles can institutional leaders play in the process of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned gifts? Come for an engaging panel discussion where leaders will share some of their experiences and best practices. This event will be hosted virtually from 11:30AM-1:00PM with plenty of opportunities for questions and interaction among panelists and attendees.
SPEAKER BIOS:
Sarah Fisher Gardial, Dean, Jack C. Massey College of Business, Belmont University
Sarah Fisher Gardial joined Belmont University in 2020, making history as the first woman Dean of the Jack C. Massey College of Business. Sarah’s mission is to strategically advance the College and Belmont University through innovative collaborations with faculty, staff, students, and local, national, and international businesses. Prior to Belmont, she most recently served as Dean of the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa; she also held a variety of campus leadership positions at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Sarah earned her marketing and MBA degrees at the University of Arkansas and her Ph.D. from the University of Houston.
Dean Gardial has a strong background in business and business education: for over 30 years, she has personally engaged with industry in research, consulting, and executive education roles, and she has been instrumental in creating mutually beneficial partnerships between business colleges and industry. She has served on governing boards for publicly traded companies, cooperatives, and non-profits, and is an active public speaker.
Sarah’s academic experience encompasses a variety of campus initiatives, including leadership development, diversity efforts, and strategic planning. She has played active leadership roles in national and international associations, including the MBA Roundtable, the Graduate Management Admissions Council, and AACSB, the accrediting association for collegiate schools of business. She is an outspoken advocate for women in leadership and diversity and inclusion.
Sarah is a southern girl, raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, who has been known to ride motorcycles and sing in both rock bands and church choirs. She and her guitar-playing husband, Jeffrey, are thrilled to be living in Music City. She is also very happy to be within driving distance of two adult daughters, a son-in-law, and a grandbaby on the way in Georgia.
Susan S. Holt, President and Senior Consultant
Susan Holt is a nationally recognized philanthropy and fundraising communications specialist with more than 35 years of experience in leadership positions and as a consultant to premier higher education, health care, global health institutions and non-profit organizations. She founded Vision Philanthropy Group in 2009. Prior to forming VPG, Susan led development programs at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (Nashville), Case Western Reserve University Medical School (Cleveland), Weill-Cornell Medical College (New York City), and National Jewish Health (Denver).
Susan is a specialist in comprehensive campaign planning, board, executive and staff training in the art and science of major gift fundraising, grateful patient fundraising, major and mega-gift development, and philanthropic strategic planning. Susan is a frequent national and international presenter on campaigns, fundraising best practices, the psychology of giving and establishing a culture of philanthropy.
Susan has managed successful campaigns ranging from $10 million to $1.3 billion, and she has partnered with institutional leaders in securing single gifts ranging from $1 million to $250 million for capital, operating and endowed projects.
Justin Myrick, Retired Dean, Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering, Lipscomb University
Justin Myrick’s career in Engineering spans more than 40 years as a practicing engineer, educator, researcher, and administrator. Following his work at Sikorsky Aircraft, he held faculty positions at the University of Central Florida and the Georgia Institute of Technology. His most recent position was as the Dean of the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering at Lipscomb University from 2012-2018. Under Dean Myrick’s tenure, the College of Engineering built and dedicated its first Engineering Building, the Fields Engineering Center, a 30,000 sq. ft. structure, in 2017.
Dean Myrick brings a creative approach to his work, and is known for his ability to bring engineers and non-engineers together. He is a natural consensus builder, and relishes the opportunity to meet those who can provide philanthropic support.
Dean Myrick was educated at the University of Alabama, and then NYU for his Master’s in Aeronautics. His PhD is in Health Care Systems Design and Industrial Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dean Myrick lives in Nashville with his wife Melissa. His volunteer work includes missionary trips across the world, and longstanding service to the Boy Scouts of America.