Evolving an advancement organization with Scott Biedermann

Change is a constant in higher education advancement, but few have embraced it as boldly as Scott Biedermann, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of the Pacific. In this episode of Alumless, Ryan and guest co-host Patrick Auerbach sit down with Scott to unpack the intentional evolution of Pacific’s advancement strategy, including the redefinition of its alumni association’s role and a shift toward integrated engagement and development practices. Scott shares the thinking behind restructuring teams and addressing the tension between transactional giving and meaningful alumni experience. From regional challenges to faculty partnerships, he offers candid reflections on the complexities of leading transformation while keeping alumni at the center. In the bonus segment, we explore what makes Pacific unique, the impact of presidential leadership, and the skills alumni engagement professionals need for the future. Thanks to AlumniQ for being our presenting sponsor for this episode. Visit alumniq.com to learn more about their event support technology and services.