Fall 2026 Issue

Board Notes

Notes from the September 2026 meeting of the W&M Alumni Association Board of Directors

October 19, 2026 By University Advancement Staff

The Sept. 10-11, 2026, meeting of the W&M Alumni Association Board of Directors was held at the Alumni House in Williamsburg. 

W&M Alumni Association CEO Matthew “Matt” L. Brandon ’92 shared the WMAA’s approach to FY27: establish clear strategic priorities, connect them to the behaviors and capabilities required for success, and execute the details with care. Drawing inspiration from Will Guidara’s “Unreasonable Hospitality,” the Alumni Association is emphasizing how thoughtful, intentional choices can create outsized impact. That means pairing a hospitality mindset with the operational discipline required to deliver alumni experiences that feel personal, prepared, welcoming and distinctly William & Mary. 

The Alumni Inclusive Excellence team reported that during FY26, they hosted 31 events generating 1,557 registrations, engaged 126 alumni as hosts, panelists, or speakers, and partnered with 91 alumni volunteers serving in advisory and leadership roles. Digital engagement also expanded the team’s reach. Mosaic social channels generated nearly 100,000 views, reached more than 9,000 individuals, produced 4,337 interactions, and added 507 followers, creating additional pathways from awareness to deeper engagement.

The Alumni Success team is preparing for integration with the Alumni Inclusive Excellence team. Successful summer programs in regions included an alumni service day at Nourishing Hope in Chicago; a Freedom Trail tour in Boston; a baseball game in Richmond, Virginia; a gathering highlighting local businesses in the Shenandoah Valley, bringing volunteer-led events back to the region; and a walking tour of Revolutionary War sites in New York City. In September, the team launched 10 Welcome to the City events for recent alumni in key markets, and Yule Logs will reach two dozen regions in December.

Alumni Experiences & Business Development showed higher than expected revenue from the newly expanded Memorial Garden & Columbarium, as well as commemorative bricks, Alumni Journeys, retail sales (including through the new Hark & Co. storefront in the Alumni House), venue rentals and hospitality. Tailgate sales remain strong. A pilot program with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute brought new audiences into the Alumni House.

Representatives from PBMares LLP and Tyler Walkinsky, director of budget and finance for the W&M Alumni Association, presented the results of the audit which had no reported findings or material issues, reflecting the organization's sound financial management and internal controls.

Kelly Holdcraft presented an overview of the successful W&M Weekend in Washington, D.C., May 28-31.

As part of the Alumni Association’s effort to enhance collaboration with schools and units across W&M, a panel discussion brought together representatives to share about their areas and how they engage alumni, with a focus on ways to collaborate with the WMAA.

At the previous meeting, the board had tasked the Recognition & Outreach Committee with exploring ways to honor trailblazing alumni who represent “firsts” in the alumni community. Artist-in-Residence Steve Prince presented one possible option for consideration, pending a university feasibility study. The Recognition & Outreach Committee is also considering partnerships with other groups on campus for this effort. They discussed ways to increase visibility for the Olde Guarde Distinguished Service Award, for which nominations are due Nov. 1.

The Engagement Committee heard presentations from the Alumni Association’s summer CASE interns on their research into new engagement strategies, such as mini-reunions and stronger partnerships with fraternities and sororities.

The Board Development Committee reported the results of the board engagement survey, which showed general satisfaction with effectiveness of meetings, openness to ideas and camaraderie. They detailed areas for improvement, including increased communication between meetings, and clarified the board’s policy for in-person attendance at meetings.

The board voted to create a new ad-hoc committee to consider the giving requirement to join the W&M Alumni Association board in the context of other boards on campus and what effect the requirement might have on the board’s socioeconomic diversity.

Matthew T. Lambert ’99, senior vice president for university advancement, provided an overview of good news from across the university and an update on planning for the year ahead.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be Feb. 11-12, 2027, at the W&M Alumni House, during Charter Day Weekend.