CAAE Member Spotlight, June-July 2021

Name: Howard E. Wolf

Institution: Stanford University

How long have you been in your current role? 

21 years in April of this year. Hold it...can that really be? Yikes!

How did you first get into alumni relations? And, what has kept you in the industry? 

My path into alumni relations was entirely serendipitous. I was the co-chair of my 20th undergraduate reunion at Stanford and got to know my contact at the alumni association quite well. Soon after the reunion had concluded, my contact told me that the President of the Alumni Association had just announced his plans to retire. Although I thought I had driven her crazy during our year working together, she surprised me by suggesting that I would be perfect for the job. My response was quite direct – no thanks, no interest. I was an entrepreneur at the time and had zero desire to work in the not-for-profit world or at a university, no less in alumni relations. But she worked me hard for several weeks finally agreeing that she would stop doing so if I agreed to at least read the job description. I am one of the few people you will ever meet who actually fell in love with a job description. I threw my hat into the ring and things worked out. As for what has kept me in the craft 20+ years later, there are two main reasons: First, my deep and abiding belief in the vital role that universities play in American society, and second, the blessings I receive every day being able to interact with our alumni, some of the most amazing people in the world.

What’s your favorite program or tradition at your school and why?

Reunion Homecoming weekend where we welcome back to campus over 10,000 alumni and guests to a celebration of all that is Stanford. May these large-scale, in-person events return someday soon!

Favorite part of the job (one word): People

Least favorite part of the job (one word): Politics

What advice would you give a new alumni executive?

Ask yourself this question every morning on the way to work: In a world with an increasing number of inexpensive or free alternatives to the vital roles that alumni associations used to play historically, how do we continue to remain relevant and add value to the lives of our alumni? If we don't have good answers to that question, then we will no longer need to exist. Each university/college/institute will have its own answers. But each needs to be able to answer this question.

What is your biggest challenge in your program?

Clear, crisp, thoughtful, ROI-based decision making.

When I’m not on the job, you’ll find me…: 

Reading a spy novel on a beach somewhere.  

Name: Jeffery W. Johnson

Institution: Iowa State University 

How long have you been in your current role?

President and CEO since 1999, and since 2015, the Lora and Russ Talbot Iowa State University Alumni Association Endowed President and CEO

How did you first get into alumni relations? And, what has kept you in the industry?

As a highly engaged student at the University of Southern Mississippi, a number of faculty and staff of the university were confused regarding my role at the university. Was I a student, staff member, alumnus, etc. So one day I walked into the president’s office and asked him a question that would forever change my life. He saw a light in me and had me work in a more formal way during my final two years helping to build the university’s honors college and offered me a job within the alumni association after graduation. It was because of these experiences that I knew this was my gift and possible future employment arena. What keeps me engaged is the fact that this work energizes me every day. 

What’s your favorite program or tradition at your school and why?

Tradition of place. ISU has maintained its Central Campus of some 22 acres. The buildings around Central Campus have remained the same over 163 years. This commitment connects all generations through shared experiences and imagery. 

Favorite part of the job (one word): Creativity 

Least favorite part of the job (one word): Human Resources

What advice would you give a new alumni executive?

Own your vision. The job is not your vision. Remember what you came into the role to accomplish, beyond loving the institution or just that the job was open. And, read James C. Hunter’s, The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership (Crown Publishing Group, 1998, 2012).

What is your biggest challenge in your program?

How to best incorporate all we’ve learned from and through COVID into our future.

When I’m not on the job, you’ll find me…:

In my gardens—indoors and outdoors. My gardens are where I solve problems, release tension, and add value, beauty and tranquility to my life and the lives of others.