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Inspiring Excellence in Education and Life

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Enhancing Alumni Engagement

Altruistically Aligning (With Your) Alumni

Presented by: Ryan Panton

Graduates play pivotal roles in the narrative of every successful school. They act as proof points of a program’s success; they occupy volunteer positions and attend gatherings; they serve on boards and committees; they take part in surveys. Handled effectively, they are the lifeblood of your organization.

But how well do you really know your alumni? And more importantly, how well do you take care of them?

As both an independent school professional and graduate, Ryan has experienced alumni engagement from all sides. He’s been frustrated at the lack of meaningful commitment from peers and former classmates, and he’s experienced the annoyance of “only ever contacting me when you’re asking for money.” (Well, not really, but he’s heard it happens, anyway.) All the while he’s been developing theories about what works, what doesn’t – and why.

Join Ryan for a brief presentation outlining what he’s learned about effectively communicating with this incredibly significant constituency, and join in the conversation as we attempt, once and for all, to develop an iron-clad list of best practices to turn your alumni into a philanthropic, admissions referral-generating machine!


Ryan Panton

Ryan Panton is Director of Marketing and Communications at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria, BC. Now in his third year, he works with a talented, creative team of professionals to articulate the mission, vision and values of the school and ensure alignment between GNS and its various stakeholders. He loves much about his role, but perhaps nothing more than the opportunities it affords to interact with a diverse cross section of the school’s community and share their unique stories.

Prior to his time at GNS, Ryan spent six years at his alma mater, Shawnigan Lake School, working first in alumni relations and fundraising before being appointed Shawnigan’s first Director of Marketing and Communications, a position he held for three years. While at Shawnigan he also spent two memorable years as Assistant House Director to a group of 50 teenaged boys, an experience from which he may never fully recover!

Educated at the University of British Columbia and BCIT, Ryan now resides in Victoria with his wife, Marita, and their two young sons (and future independent school alumni), Charlie and Ben.