CMAC Sunday Ideas Series: From Volunteer to Alumni Visionary

A Conversation with Heather Stanley, Senior Director of Alumni Experience at Western Michigan University

Our guest on the Alumless podcast this week was Heather Stanley a proud Bronco who recently made the leap from volunteer board member to Senior Director of Alumni Experience at Western Michigan University. Her journey offers a timely case study of what it means to lead with empathy, build trust from day one, and approach alumni engagement with a clear purpose.

Heather may be new to higher education advancement, but is no stranger to leading with intention. With over two decades of experience in K–12 education and consulting, she brings a fresh perspective rooted in collaboration, relationship-building, and system-level thinking.

“I didn’t come into this role with an agenda,” Heather said. “I came in with a deep love for my alma mater and a desire to serve.”

Can a Volunteer Become the Right Professional Leader?

Heather’s path to advancement wasn’t planned. She joined the alumni board seeking a way to give back, not expecting a staff role. But after watching staff turnover and witnessing disengagement from fellow board members, she felt a responsibility to help create a better experience for alumni and volunteers alike.

When the position opened, she read the job description three times before finally realizing: “Maybe I could do this.”

“A former mentor once told me, ‘You have to seize an opportunity in its lifetime.’ That quote, and a push from friends and mentors, helped me step into this role.”

Her story proves that when a board member deeply understands both the potential and the pitfalls of engagement, they can step into leadership with credibility and vision.

What’s It Like to See Behind the Curtain?

Moving from volunteer to staff leader changed Heather’s relationship with her alma mater.

“It’s a little like dating versus marriage,” she joked. “The rose-colored glasses come off a bit.”

Her first six months have been fast-paced and revealing. She’s learning how advancement works across development, data, events, and donor relations. She’s also navigating institutional change: a new president, an interim VP, and a new leadership team across campus. Yet she sees this as a moment of possibility.

“I call it cautious optimism—but I’m heavy on the optimism.”

How Is She Managing the Alumni Board?

As a former board member herself, Heather knew the risks of undefined roles and over-eager volunteers. She’s now setting clear expectations and communication patterns to help the board contribute meaningfully, without veering off course.

“If you don’t give people a lane, they’ll find one. Some will drive right into oncoming traffic. I’m trying to get everyone merging into the right one.”

Her approach centers on transparency, consistency, and redefining volunteer roles to maximize impact.

What Role Does Alumni Experience Play in an Institutional Change Moment?

Western Michigan is in transition. A new president (also an alumnus) begins this summer, and a search is underway for a new VP for Advancement. Heather views this as a strategic moment—not one to wait passively for direction but to proactively shape it.

“We didn’t wait to be told to build a plan. We did the work. We’re building a roadmap now that we can hand over and say, ‘Here’s our vision. We want your input—but we’re ready to go.”

What Does the Future Look Like for Alumni Experience at WMU?

Heather also leads a newly centralized advancement events team, overseeing the division's donor and alumni events and programming. It’s already improving coordination, consistency, and messaging.

“It gives us continuity. Different units have different touches—but we’re working from the same playbook now.”

Heather had her answer ready when asked about the culture she’s building, because she co-created it with her team. Their working agreements center on:

• Respect and trust
• Collaboration
• Honest, constructive feedback
• Clear communication
• Grace, kindness, and fun

“If we’re not having fun doing this work, we might be doing something wrong.”

Why It Matters

Heather Stanley’s story is a reminder that leadership in advancement doesn’t always come from inside the field. Sometimes it comes from the heart—from a volunteer who’s willing to serve, listen, and lead.

By combining her teaching background, board experience, and deep institutional pride, Heather is redefining what it means to be an alumni leader—and showing others how to do it with clarity, compassion, and courage.

The Big Ideas series is a mostly AI-generated recap of our Alumless and Alumless World podcast episodes put into a slightly different format.

Listen to the full episode on Alumless to hear how Heather is helping Western Michigan University turn a moment of transition into a catalyst for transformation.