Image of Dena Schwartz

Dena Schwartz

Consultant, Research Development

Areas of Expertise
  • Advancement
  • Alumni Relations
  • Fundraising
Washington, DC
Specialties
  • Capital Campaigns
  • Donor Investors
  • Faculty Partnership
  • Major and Principal Gifts
  • Performance Metrics
  • Professional Development
  • Talent Management
Connect with Dena

Background

Dena Schwartz conducts and delivers best practice research for EAB. As a consultant on the Advancement Forum, Dena is responsible for identifying solutions to industry-wide challenges, conducting data analysis, and supporting advancement leaders in setting strategy. In her time at EAB, Dena has led interactive workshops for advancement and academic leaders across the United States, Canada, and the

Dena Schwartz conducts and delivers best practice research for EAB. As a consultant on the Advancement Forum, Dena is responsible for identifying solutions to industry-wide challenges, conducting data analysis, and supporting advancement leaders in setting strategy. In her time at EAB, Dena has led interactive workshops for advancement and academic leaders across the United States, Canada, and the UK.

Education

Dena graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a B.A. in history and French. Dena has an MSc in public policy and administration from the London School of Economics. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Research and Insights

Today’s top donors want their philanthropy to have a transformational impact on the institutions in which they invest. As a result, advancement leaders are under increasing pressure to find visionary ideas to show both long-time donors and new prospects. However, these ideas do not originate in the development office—they come from academic leaders, faculty, and…

Infographic: What do donor investors want from higher ed? While 95% of gift revenue is coming from 5% of donors, principal gifts staff are under increasing pressure to drive annual fundraising returns. Regardless of what constitutes a principal gift at your institution, principal gifts staff make the difference between reaching your campaign goal and falling…

Entrepreneurs can be near-impossible to engage. They are often too busy to attend networking or sporting events. Their early-stage ventures may not have the capacity to hire recent graduates. They may not be located close enough to campus for in-person mentorship opportunities. Yet early stage alumni entrepreneurs have immense giving potential. Overnight, they can become…