Virtual Summit
November 12-13, 2025
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We make fundraising fun (on purpose)
Step Right Up to the Greatest Show in Fundraising & Development in higher education! Join us for a playful fundraising summit for academic leaders who are ready to juggle donors and swing into your boldest ask yet.
November 12-13, 2025 | Virtual Summit (Zoom)
BONUS Course (Optional): Creative Fundraising 101, November 10 1:00am-2:30 ET
WIBE MEMBERS: Free, included with your annual membership fee
NON-WIBE Members: $199 USD
Who Is This Summit For?
Fundraising Fun‑Da‑Palooza is designed for bold academic leaders who are ready to shake off the boring and bring color, creativity, and courage into how they raise money.
Perfect for:
- Deans ready to revamp their ask and reimagine their strategy
- New Deans building their fundraising muscles
- Associate Deans, Assistant Deans, Department Chairs, Program Directors looking to gain experience and exposure to fundraising
- Development Officers looking to collaborate more with b-school or higher education leadership on new and creative ways to fundraise
- Anyone who wants to feel good (even excited!) about fundraising again
The Virtual Summit is free for WIBE Members and only $199 for non-members, learn more about how membership can help you launch your career.
Not yet ready to register, but want to keep up to date on future deans programming? Join Our Mailing List for updates here.
This Circus is for you if you are:
Wondering how to tell your school’s story so it actually moves people.
Feeling stuck or ready to give your fundraising a fresh start,
Bored by traditional trainings and ready for something that’s real, energizing, and fun.
Can’t make it to the Virtual Summit LIVE? All sessions will be recorded and accessible for six months.
If You Have Ever Said..
“I’m not a fundraiser, but I know I have to be.” or “I want to do this better, but I don’t want to be boring about it.”
All are welcome under the big top, but this summit is especially crafted for seasoned fundraisers and senior leaders ready to stretch, experiment, and lead boldly. Expect a mix of imagination, and fun that will reignite your passion for the work that changes lives.
(Need a refresher first? Join “Creative Fundraising 101” to get your feet under you before diving in.)
We are saving you a front-row seat!
Not yet ready to register, but want to keep up to date on future deans programming? Join Our Mailing List for updates here.
AGENDA
Day 1: November 12, 2025
Confidence to Ask
BUILDING YOUR CONFIDENCE UNDER THE BIG TOP
Step into the spotlight and learn how to lead the show with confidence.
Speaker: Heather Backstrom, Author “Collaborative Confidence”, Leadership and executive coach
11:00-12:00PM (ET-NEW YORK)
All times are Eastern Time (New York) Can’t attend live on Zoom? All sessions will be recorded and available on our membership site and available to watch on demand.
The Donor Carousel: Round & Round We Go
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT DON’T MAKE YOU DIZZY
Keep your top supporters spinning with delight (not confusion). Learn the rhythm of donor engagement that leads to long‑term giving.
Speaker: Debbie Compeau, Dean, Carson College of Business, Washington State University – Pullman
1:00-2:00PM (ET-NEW YORK) , Wednesday November 12
All times are Eastern Time (New York) Can’t attend live on Zoom? All sessions will be recorded and available on our membership site and available to watch on demand.
The Greatest Board on Earth
BUILD YOUR TEAM OF FUNDRAISING PERFORMERS
In this lively session, we’ll explore how to recruit, engage, and spotlight the right mix of talent on a board. We’ll dive into the “Three-Ring Strategy” and learn how to turn key supporters from passive spectators into enthusiastic performers.
Speaker: Dan Moshavi, Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean, Fowler College of Business, San Diego State University
3:00-4:00PM (ET-New York), Wednesday, November 12
All times are Eastern Time (New York) Can’t attend live on Zoom? All sessions will be recorded and available on our membership site and available to watch on demand.
Day 2: November 13, 2025
Juggling Acts & Generosity Your Role From the Top
HOW TO BECOME THE RINGMASTER AND STORYTELLER
Behind every successful fundraising campaign is a leader who can juggle competing priorities, manage a cast of characters, and keep the show running, without dropping a single ball. This session explores a senior leader’s role in orchestrating a fundraising “show”, as the lead storyteller.
Speaker: Lance Nail, Provost and SVPAA, The University of Southern Mississippi
11:00-12:00pm ET – Thursday, November 13
All times are Eastern Time (New York) Can’t attend live on Zoom? All sessions will be recorded and available on our membership site and available to watch on demand.
The Oops Arena: Sharing our #FailFest in Fundraising
REAL TALK FROM THE DEVELOPMENT DISASTER TENT
Pull back the curtain on cringe-worthy moments with humor and redemption. All are invited to participate and share what “not to do.”!
Speaker: Lisa Leander, Founder & CEO, Where Imagination Builds Excellence – WIBE
Liesl Riddle, Dean, College of Professional Studies, George Washington University
1:00-2:00pm (ET- New York), Thursday November 13
All times are Eastern Time (New York) Can’t attend live on Zoom? All sessions will be recorded and available on our membership site and available to watch on demand.
BONUS Pre-session Tuesday, November 10, 2025
BONUS COURSE Creative Fundraising 101
OPTIONAL: NEW TO FUNDRAISING? STEP RIGHT UP TO GET UP TO SPEED.
Join Lisa Leander on November 10 for a bonus 90-minute crash course designed especially for those who are new to fundraising, or simply want to refresh your skills before stepping into the big top.
This optional session covers the essentials of leading for fundraising with flair and fun.
Speaker: Lisa Leander, Founder & CEO, Where Imagination Builds Excellence (WIBE Network)
NOVEMBER 10, 1:00-2:30pm ET – New York
All times are Eastern Time (New York) Can’t attend live on Zoom? All sessions will be recorded and available on our membership site and available to watch on demand.
Speakers
Meet Our Speakers
We’re still adding incredible speakers, stay tuned!
Deborah Compeau
Phyllis J. Campbell Endowed Dean, Carson College of Business Washington State University
Lisa Leander
Founder & CEO, Where Imagination Builds Excellence - WIBE
Micah Howard
Chief Development Officer, Carson College of Business, Washington State University
Heather Backstrom
Author, Collaborative Confidence, Executive Coach
Dan Moshavi
Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean, Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University
Brandon Victoria Youngman
Associate Vice President, Worldstrides
Ruchi Watson
CEO, Goff Strategic Leadership Institute, University of Utah
Lance Nail
Provost & SVPAA, The University of Southern Mississippi
Liesl Riddle
Dean, George Washington University College of Professional Studies
WIBE Members
Free with Membership
(Log-in required)
Non-Members
Not yet ready to register, but want to keep up to date on future deans programming? Join Our Mailing List for updates here.
What Our Members Say
The energy and inspiration I get from WIBE has been so uplifting and incredible.
WIBE is a wonderful support system for all business academics. The professional development, upskilling, and networking opportunities are phenomenal.
Wonderful summit! There were so many ideas shared and connections made that I can’t wait until the next one
Academia can be lonely and isolating, WIBE provides a great platform to build connections to other academics around the world.
About WIBE Network
WHERE IMAGINATION BUILDS EXCELLENCE
WIBE Network is a global community for bold, creative leadership in business education.
We bring together deans, senior faculty, and academic innovators who are ready to reimagine what leadership looks like in higher education, and then we make it happen.
Originally launched as Women in Business Education, WIBE has evolved into a dynamic space for both men and women leaders who believe that imagination is not just a skill but a strategic advantage.
We shape the future of business education with creativity, courage, and community.
Through leadership summits, peer networks, and year-round programs, WIBE helps members connect, share ideas, and turn vision into reality.
Corporate Partners
Thank you to our corporate members who champion our WIBE Members
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t attend a session live?
No problem! All sessions will be recorded and available to registered participants after the event. You can watch (or re-watch) at your own pace on our private membership site up to six months.
Who should attend?
Sessions are designed for all leaders engaged or interested in fundraising including deans, associate deans, assistant deans, future deans and development officers.
Come be curiuos and learn more!
Men and women are encouraged to register (and join our membership)
Although started as Women in Business Education, we are now Where Imagination Builds Excellence (WIBE) and open to all who want to lead with curiousity and creativity.
Is the summit open to non-members?
Yes! While WIBE members get access to our full slate of benefits year-round, the Future Deans Summit is open to anyone ready to learn, connect, and lead boldly.
Can I join WIBE membership?
Absolutely! Joining WIBE means you’ll not only attend the summit, but also gain year-round access to workshops, networking opportunities, and our global community of bold, creative leaders in business education. You can join at any time through our membership page.
www.wibenetwork.com/membership
After registering as a member, head to the events page and then RSVP to the Future Deans Summit for the Zoom link and calendar invites.
What makes WIBE different from other professional associations?
No gatekeeping. No “members-only if you’ve been in the club for 20 years.”
We’re fresh, welcoming, and obsessed with giving you real tools and connections you can use now.
Plus, we mix in a whole lot more imagination and fun.
Is the summit for men and women?
Yes it sure is! Men and women are invited to join us.
We started as Women in Business Education, but WIBE is open to all leaders in business education who believe creativity and connection are the future.
Are there group discounts if a university wants to send a group of non-members?
Yes! Please email membership@wibenetwork.com if you’d like to send three or more participants from your institution, and we’ll provide group pricing details.
How do I join the sessions?
After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your personal Zoom link. We’ll also send reminders before each day’s sessions so you’re ready to jump in.