Elevating Advancement Leadership
“A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”
The Leadership Edge
The difference between struggling advancement teams and record-breaking campaigns isn't just about better donors or more staff—it's about leadership development that most institutions underinvest in during critical transitions when hiring and promoting advancement leaders who are moving from being individual producers or managers to leaders.
While organizations routinely invest millions in campaign infrastructure—from donor databases and marketing materials to event planning and prospect research—they often underinvest in developing the leadership capabilities of senior advancement executives who ultimately determine campaign success. As fundraising campaigns grow increasingly ambitious and organizational complexity intensifies, strategic investment in advancement leadership becomes not just valuable but essential.
What truly distinguishes thriving advancement teams from those experiencing high turnover?
Strategic, sustained leadership cultivation that transforms skilled fundraisers and advancement professionals into visionary leaders capable of inspiring teams, engaging transformational donors, and building institutional legacies that extend far beyond individual campaign goals.
Institutions Ready for Leadership Transformation
I partner with universities, healthcare foundations, cultural institutions, and nonprofits ready to elevate their advancement leadership capability. Your organization has invested millions in campaign infrastructure and donor cultivation—but the return on that investment depends significantly on the ability of senior leaders in the organization.
While many advancement executives have risen through the ranks without structured development, today's increasingly complex philanthropic landscape demands a more intentional approach to building leadership capabilities. Organizations positioned to thrive in this volatile, uncertain environment recognize that systematic leadership development is no longer optional—it's essential for sustainable fundraising success.
Why Arête?
While most talent management consultants focus on providing tactical fundraising skills and training, Arête addresses the critical leadership transformation that advancement executives must navigate when moving from an individual producer or management position to a leadership role.
Drawing from both extensive first-hand experience navigating leadership transitions and through formal leadership training, we draw on evidence-based approaches to developing leaders and team cultures that protect donor relationships, reduce costly turnover, and enhance campaign performance.
Three Key Differentiators
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We combine first-hand experience navigating advancement leadership transitions with relevant leadership theories and methodologies—creating solutions that address both the technical and adaptive challenges of leadership.
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We specialize exclusively in the critical evolution from successful fundraiser to transformational leader—the precise moment when most advancement careers derail and institutional momentum falters.
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We measure success through tangible institutional outcomes: leadership retention, team stability, and campaign performance that exceeds expectations.
Developing True Advancement Leaders
Success in advancement follows a distinct evolution that most institutions fail to address: exceptional professionals often become managers based on individual results, then advance to leadership positions without crucial development support.
I specialize in transforming executives in pivotal roles—Chief Advancement Officers, Vice Presidents of Development, Assistant/Associate Deans, Directors of Philanthropy, and Vice Chancellors—into strategic leaders who build sustainable advancement operations beyond their individual or management capabilities.
While frontline advancement professionals focus on donor and alumni relationships and managers coordinate team activities, true advancement leaders architect institutional transformation through vision, organizational design, and cultural excellence—skills rarely developed through traditional career paths whether from fundraising, alumni relations, communications, or other advancement functions.
Consulting Solutions
Protect your multi-million and billion-dollar fundraising campaigns by transforming successful advancement professionals into visionary leaders who can navigate complex institutional dynamics.
Our specialized leadership development programs address the unique challenges of development executives, reducing turnover while accelerating philanthropic impact during critical transitions.
Client Success Stories
Leadership Insights
Explore evidence-based strategies for transforming successful fundraisers and advancement officers into visionary leaders. These insights draw from decades of experience guiding development teams through critical transitions, complemented by cutting-edge research on leadership psychology, organizational transformation, and billion-dollar campaign success factors.
“In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”
The Leadership Architect Behind Arête
Arête was founded by Chris Glick, a veteran advancement leader who has personally navigated the critical evolution from fundraising success to leadership excellence.
Having served as a senior advancement executive at prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and the Montana State University Alumni Foundation, Chris understands firsthand the profound leadership gap that exists in most advancement teams. His passion is developing advancement executives and building organizational excellence that empowers institutions to fulfill their missions.
His methodology bridges practical advancement wisdom—having personally raised over $100 million and led teams securing transformational gifts—with advanced leadership frameworks acquired through executive education at Harvard, Case Western Reserve, and his current studies in organizational leadership at Gonzaga University.
Unlike traditional fundraising consultants, Chris specializes in developing the specific leadership capabilities that determine whether an advancement team merely meets campaign goals or creates sustainable institutional impact through visionary leadership.
Transform Your Advancement Leadership Team
Schedule a leadership assessment to identify the specific capabilities your development team needs to drive sustainable fundraising success. Available for forward-thinking institutions committed to bridging the critical gap between advancement talent and transformational leadership.