Our Contributors
Just like your favorite industry conference, Speaking Engagement is powered by multiple voices with decades of collective experience in education and other nonprofits.
Ryan Catherwood - Owner & Publisher
Ryan Catherwood is the Owner and Publisher of Speaking Engagement, a platform exploring how organizations build relationships, community, and connection at scale. He is also Executive Vice President at Chris Marshall Advancement Consulting (CMAC) and Senior Consultant with Washburn McGoldrick, advising colleges and universities on alumni engagement, donor pipeline development, and integrated advancement strategy.
Prior to his consulting work, Ryan served in roles at Longwood University, the University of Virginia, and Washington and Lee University. Ryan writes and speaks regularly on the future of engagement, digital community-building, and the role of alumni in driving institutional success.
Dave Hail - Contributing Editor
Dave Hail is the founder of Inkwell and a fundraising strategist focused on helping higher education institutions and nonprofits deepen donor relationships. He brings more than 20 years of advancement experience, with particular strength in alumni engagement, donor engagement, and relationship-based strategy.
Before founding Inkwell, Dave spent more than 22 years with the University of Oklahoma and the OU Foundation, including leadership roles tied to OU Alumni and alumni engagement. His work is grounded in the belief that stronger communication, stronger community, and stronger donor relationships go hand in hand.
Kristin Hanson - Contributing Editor
Kristin Hanson is a writer and strategist focused on helping organizations communicate with greater clarity, purpose, and impact.
As the founder of Kristin Hanson Writes, she partners with nonprofits, higher education institutions, and mission-driven organizations to develop messaging that strengthens connection and inspires action. Her work centers on storytelling, donor communications, and content strategy that translates complex ideas into language that resonates.
Kristin is particularly interested in how thoughtful writing can deepen relationships, build trust, and drive meaningful engagement across audiences.
Annie Quade - Contributing Editor & Agora Leader
Annie Quade is an advancement strategist with more than 15 years of experience spanning major and planned gifts, alumni engagement, annual giving, talent management, and organizational design. She serves as the Associate Vice President of Advancement Strategy & Engagement at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she oversees integrated engagement, talent and people operations, and the division's growth strategy — and currently provides interim leadership of the development team.
Annie began her career in frontline fundraising at the University of Missouri, first as a regional and planned giving officer and then as director for the School of Law. She is also co-founder of Advancement Talent Co., a community for advancement professionals focused on talent management and organizational strategy.
Dustin Ramsdell - Production Leader
Dustin Ramsdell is a digital engagement strategist and podcast host focused on helping organizations build stronger, more authentic connections with their audiences.
He is the creator and host of Higher Ed Geek and The Higher Ed Marketer, where he explores the intersection of higher education, digital strategy, and storytelling. Through these platforms, Dustin has built a reputation for surfacing practical insights and elevating conversations around how institutions engage in a digital-first world. Dustin is also producer of CMAC’s Alumless podcast and web series.
With experience across higher education and nonprofits, his work centers on content strategy, social media, and community-building—helping teams use digital platforms not just to communicate, but to connect.