59: Amanda Trabue, Western Kentucky University

<p>On this episode of the RAISE podcast, Brent catches up with Amanda Trabue, Vice President of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at Western Kentucky University. Amanda reflects on how the persistence, grit, and thick skin she built as a student caller in the Phonathon program at WKU launched her into an uber-successful advancement career. Amanda also shares some really useful insights including her roadmap for the first 100 days on any new job; how to survive an all-hats, super busy, entry level annual giving role while also completing your MBA; and tips for empowering your team to test new things and take risks by letting them know you’ve got their backs. Amanda has launched and led a new Donor Experience Officer program at WKU, and it’s reversing downward trends in engagement, donor count, and cash flow for the first time in years. Tune in to learn from Amanda about how she’s having the most fun she’s ever had in career by trying out a new way to RAISE.</p><p><strong>About Amanda</strong></p><p>Amanda L. Trabue returned to the Hill in June 2019 as the Vice President for Philanthropy &amp; Alumni Engagement.</p><p>Most recently, she served as the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations for Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. In this role, she closely collaborated with the Dean to execute a strategic vision of philanthropy and engagement from alumni, parents, and friends of the institution. She was also charged with managing a staff of professional colleagues raising major and annual support, devising effective communications, overseeing annual donor events, and coordinating prospect development for the team. She spent five years as Director of Development for Peabody College prior to this role.</p><p>She also previously served as a Regional Director of Development at Washington University in St. Louis. During this time, she oversaw the alumni and development efforts in four metropolitan cities while securing financial resources for all undergraduate, graduat