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Marla Vickers
Assistant Vice President of Advancement, Emory University
Professional Background
Marla Vickers is a seasoned advancement and development professional with a rich and diverse career that spans over several prestigious educational institutions and non-profit organizations. With a strong focus on philanthropic initiatives, Marla brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in fundraising, donor relations, and strategic management. Currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of Advancement at Emory University, she has demonstrated her dedication to fostering meaningful relationships with donors and enhancing the university's mission through impactful fundraising efforts.
Before her current role at Emory University, Marla held a series of influential positions in higher education and non-profit sectors. Notably, she served as the Assistant Vice President of Development at Yale University, where her leadership skills and strategic vision contributed to the university’s growth and success in securing substantial donations. As the Senior Director of Development and Campaign Manager at the University of Chicago, she was responsible for overseeing the university's significant fundraising campaigns, effectively mobilizing resources to support various academic initiatives.
Marla's career trajectory also includes pivotal roles at The George Washington University and Duke University, where she developed and implemented successful fundraising strategies that resonated with alumni and potential donors alike. Her experience at Georgetown University as the Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations further honed her expertise in cultivating long-term relationships with benefactors, ensuring that their philanthropic investments are aligned with their values and interests.
In addition to her extensive development experience, Marla has also contributed to the academic community as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven, imparting her knowledge of leadership and management to the next generation of leaders. Her teaching role reflects her commitment to education and her belief in the importance of mentoring aspiring professionals in the field of philanthropy and higher education advancement.
Education and Achievements
Marla's educational background is equally impressive, with a strong foundation in both business administration and American history. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Gw Investment Institute, where she gained essential skills in financial management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership. Additionally, she earned a Master of Arts in American History from Florida State University, further deepening her knowledge and understanding of the cultural, political, and social contexts that shape our society.
Her undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia included a Bachelor of Arts in American History and Political Science, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on governance, public policy, and historical trends. Moreover, Marla pursued specialized training in Leadership and Management through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and in Management and Fundraising at Northwestern University. This robust educational background has equipped Marla with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for navigating the complexities of advancement and donor engagement.
Achievements
Marla Vickers' career is marked by numerous achievements and contributions to the field of higher education advancement and philanthropy. Her leadership style is characterized by a collaborative approach that emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in fundraising strategies. With a knack for inspiring teams and mobilizing resources, she has successfully led campaigns that have resulted in millions of dollars in funding for various initiatives.
Marla has been recognized for her expertise in donor relations, significantly enhancing the experience of benefactors through personalized engagement and tailored stewardship strategies. Her efforts not only contribute to immediate fundraising goals but also foster enduring relationships that ensure the sustainability of support for the institutions she represents.
Throughout her career, Marla has been a passionate advocate for education and community engagement. Her work with national organizations, such as the National 4-H Council, demonstrates her commitment to youth development and empowering the next generation. By connecting educational institutions with philanthropic resources, Marla continues to impact the landscape of higher education advancement positively.
Overall, Marla Vickers stands out as a leader in the field of advancement and development within higher education. Her extensive experience, coupled with her unwavering dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation in fundraising, positions her as a pivotal figure in enhancing the philanthropic efforts of educational institutions. Marla's journey exemplifies how a commitment to education, professional development, and strategic engagement can lead to significant advancements in the mission of institutions committed to academic excellence.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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