I recently had the privilege of gathering with Affinaquest’s clients at our annual users’ conference, INSPIRE 2025. As Affinaquest’s Chief Client Officer, on any given day, I wear many hats, including product management, business development, client management, and marketing. Yet, nothing compares to the unique experience of directly engaging with, and being inspired by, the Affinaquest community of Advancement professionals. Over the course of three days, I heard firsthand how Advancement RM transforms advancement offices and drives measurable impact across more than 70 institutions.
Product Announcements That Matter
INSPIRE 2025 showcased the future of advancement technology. One such standout moment of INSPIRE 2025 was the unveiling of the 2025 Advancement RM product roadmap and updates. Affinaquest’s newest innovations—including advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, refined predictive analytics, streamlined online payments, and enhanced golden record management— equip advancement professionals with the tools necessary to deepen constituent engagement, improve operational efficiency, and maximize philanthropy. As my colleagues pulled back the curtain on the roadmap and demonstrated many of the new innovations, the energy in the room affirmed why Affinaquest relentlessly innovates—to drive forward the mission of post-secondary education by providing advancement teams with the best possible technology.
Inspiring Keynotes That Sparked Dialogue
INSPIRE 2025 was especially notable for hosting three incredible keynotes. With all sincerity, by both their content and backgrounds, these were not your standard conference keynotes. Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, former President of the University of La Verne, Dr. Tedd Mitchell, Chancellor and CEO of the Texas Tech University System, and Matthew Pittinsky, Ph.D., CEO of Parchment and a co-founder of Blackboard Inc, delivered presentations that invited curiosity and fearlessness, challenged paradigms of leadership during disruption, and imagined an education system that embraces societal change and technological innovation.
Dr. Mahdavi explored the concept of the hyphen existing between worlds, creating new possibilities through connection and integration—a concept that, for me, draws a direct connection to how Advancement RM functions in higher education advancement: bridging historical gaps, dismantling silos, and shaping a future where advancement is seamlessly data-driven and deeply human-centered.
Dr. Mitchell used ecological systems as a metaphor for leadership, emphasizing that higher education institutions function like ecosystems—complex, interconnected, and constantly evolving. Advancement RM strengthens this ecosystem by powering advancement teams to cultivate meaningful relationships, ask sharper questions, and foster long-term institutional resilience. Advancement isn’t just about technology or relationships—it’s about both, working together seamlessly.
The capstone speaker, Matthew Pittinsky, posed the question, is technology improving post-secondary education outcomes, or are we merely improving the means by which we deliver and administer higher education? Can we predict the changes that AI will infuse into society and by extension higher education? In an AI-driven world where answers are readily available, are institutions prepared to embrace a curriculum where learning is centered on inquiry over content?
Conversations That Shape the Future
While the presentations, panels, and demos were invaluable, for me, the most impactful moments came from one-on-one conversations with clients. I heard success stories that made me proud, received feedback informing product strategy, and explored new ideas that will shape the future of Affinaquest and Advancement RM. These discussions underscored that my teams’ work is not just about building software—it’s anticipating the upstream challenges facing the advancement community and pioneering innovative solutions.
A Community That Inspires
What made INSPIRE 2025 truly special was the collective sense of purpose and collaboration. Advancement professionals are all deeply committed to fostering relationships and driving institutional success, and it is an honor to build products in support of this community and their shared ideals. I left INSPIRE 2025 energized for the road ahead.
Thank you to the attendees, speakers, panelists, and everyone at Affinaquest who contributed to making this event unforgettable. A special thank you to our sponsors, whose partnerships are essential to our community’s continued growth.
I welcome your thoughts, feedback, and ideas. Let’s keep this dialogue going—and push boundaries together.
Christopher Sheppard, Chief Client Officer, Affinaquest
