List of Services
REVENUE GENERATION
Raising funds comes in many different forms including capital campaigns, the annual fund, membership dues, and affinity programs. Patouillet served on the senior leadership team responsible for two capital campaigns in excess of one billion dollars each. He was directly responsible for a campaign goal in excess of 12 million dollars at Pitt. Over the course of Dr Patouillet’s tenure at Pitt, self-generated alumni association income increased by more than 2000%. He also led the effort to increase the Pitt Alumni Association’s endowment from zero to more than 9 million dollars. He understands affinity program fundraising. Patouillet established membership dues programs at the University of South Florida and at Pitt. At the University of Florida, he provided oversight to the largest dues paying alumni association in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He worked with a number of schools including the University of Florida and the University of Arizona in establishing their dues programs.
Eva T. Blum, President, PNC Foundation and Trustee, University of Pittsburgh
“As co-chair of the largest capital campaign in the school’s history (two billion dollars), I worked closely with Lee to engage alumni in this effort. We knew that alumni giving would be critical to the success of the campaign. Lee directed the thinking and the development of a strategy to integrate the alumni association into the capital campaign. There were many innovative ideas adopted that continue to enhance the campaign.”
Dan L. Heinlen, President and CEO Emeritus, The Ohio State University Alumni Association
“Lee Patouillet is a leader in pragmatic research for the advancement field and possesses excellent on-the-ground application experience. He understands what works and what doesn’t in our business, making him a first choice among those desiring measurable improvement in their programs.”
Philip J. Super, President, Collegiate Insurance Resources
“What Lee Patouillet brings to the table is a wealth of experience across all sectors of advancement. He has the ability to first listen, learn, and understand the various and competing perspectives within your organization. He then analyzes, prioritizes, and presents the appropriate initiatives and solutions that best fit the needs of your institution. His methods are collaborative and engaging. You’ll be energized about the challenges you face after a stint with Patouillet Consulting.”
THE ROLE OF ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS IN CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
There is a growing need for greater collaboration between the alumni and development functions on college campuses in capital campaigns. Patouillet has identified 10 significant ways alumni associations serve as vital partner in capital campaigns. He co-authored a chapter on the topic in the 2009 book entitled Alumni Relations: A Newcomers Guide to Success published by CASE. Much of the volunteer leadership for the two billion dollar Discover a World of Possibilities campaign at the University of Pittsburgh came from the alumni association. The co-chair of the campaign is a former alumni association president.
Ann Braun, Senior Associate Dean, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
“Lee’s ability to distill the relationship between dynamic fundraising and building a robust alumni program has influenced my work in academic medicine at the University of Florida and the University of Southern California. He’s able to articulate the elements involved in designing a complimentary relationship between alumni relations and donor development.”
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Organizations should be mission focused, values based and demographics driven. Patouillet led the effort to develop seven strategic plans throughout his career. One of these plans received the CASE Seal of Excellence Award and is used by Harvard’s Business School as an example of effective strategic planning. He focuses considerable attention on developing plans with measurable outcomes resulting in living documents which help organizations stay on course and achieve desired objectives.
Eva T. Blum, President, PNC Foundation and Trustee, University of Pittsburgh
“As a past president of the Pitt Alumni Association, Lee and I worked closely together on moving the association forward. Lee was instrumental in helping us shape a dynamic strategic plan. He always saw the big picture and helped us take steps to make the association attractive to alumni around the world. He is a master at understanding the potential of any organization.”
Dr. Keith E. Brant, Ph.D. Vice President of Development, St. Mary’s College of California
“I have known Lee for over 25 years and consider him to be one of the outstanding leaders in Advancement today. I had the opportunity to evaluate his shop at the University of Pittsburgh a few years ago and found a highly effective organization, strongly aligned with campus colleagues and institutional priorities. His approach and analysis will help you think more strategically about your work.”
ADVANCEMENT/ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PROGRAM REVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS
In this era of limited resources, increased expectations from constituents and the need for clear deliverables, program reviews are an excellent strategy through which to gain key insights from stakeholders and to chart a future course of action to ensure greater organizational relevancy and sustainability. Ideally, a program review would be an integral part of a strategic planning effort.
Mariann Geyer, Vice President for External Affairs, Point Park University
“When I needed someone to step in to evaluate the University’s growing Alumni Relations department and the Alumni Board activities, Lee was the perfect partner. He thoughtfully stepped in with the right amount of proven expertise to benchmark the operation as well as act as a mentor to the Alumni Relations staff and Alumni board. The University not only received a complete report but I received the peace of mind I needed that helped guide future decisions. Everyone needs a Lee Patouillet in their contact list.”
David Macejko, Director of Advancement, Voice of America Learning Center, Miami University
“Lee offers much for any university or nonprofit entity seeking expanded constituent engagement and deep cultivation of the broader base of supporters. His analysis was and remains contemporary. His communications clear, concise and friendly! Lee is an opportunity at hand and clearly one of the best in the business. I strongly recommend you avail yourself and your organization of Lee Patouillet.”
Gary Olsen, Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations, Villanova University
“I have known Lee Patouillet for almost 20 years as a friend, mentor and colleague. Lee is one of the most knowledgeable, insightful and thoughtful advancement professionals whom I know.”
THE ROLE OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AS A VALUED PARTNER IN TODAY’S EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISE
Alumni associations advance the university and enrich the lives of their students and alumni in 10 important ways. This framework offers a comprehensive view of the field of alumni relations and positions the alumni association as an integral part of the overall advancement of the institution.
Roger L. Williams, D. Ed., Executive Director, Penn State Alumni Association
“I have known Lee Patouillet for many years and I have a high regard for his intellect, creativity, executive acumen, drive and energy, and commitment to generating results in everything he undertakes. I give him my highest recommendation. Lee is the best in the business.”
Chuck Lennon, University of Notre Dame
“I have known Lee for over 20 years and in our profession, I have never worked with anyone more professional, knowledgeable, creative and proactive than Lee Patouillet.”
BOARD AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Many organizations are seeking ways to enhance the effectiveness of their boards and the overall operation. At USF, Pitt and UF, Patouillet worked with the alumni and university leadership to outline board member expectations, clarify the role of board and staff, establish transparent reports on the financial health of the respective organizations and create a variety of self-assessment instruments. He has also worked with numerous community based organizations on strategic planning, budgeting, staffing models, and fund development.
Frances Hesselbein, President and CEO, Leader to Leader Institute (Formerly knows as the Peter Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management) and Recipient, Presidential Medal of Freedom
“Dr. Lee Patouillet is an outstanding leader and a trusted colleague. We have worked together for more than 15 years on a number of initiatives and found him to be an effective catalyst for positive organizational change. Lee and Patouillet Consulting have my highest recommendation. He is a leader of the future.”
The Rev. Dr. Stephens G. Lytch, President, North American Endowment of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
“I have observed Lee’s work in the university and nonprofit sector. His experience, expertise and contagious enthusiasm help his clients articulate their dreams for making a positive impact in their sector and find the resources to make those dreams a reality. He draws the best out of people and is an inspiration to work with.”
CONSTITUENT ENGAGEMENT STRAGIES, TRACKING & DATA DRIVEN DECISION MAKING
As organizations look to broaden their base of support, it is important to consider the 4 I’s – identify, inform, involve and invest. Patouillet works with his clients to develop various engagement strategies resulting in increased support and offers insights on how to track this involvement leading to greater data driven decision making.
David Macejko, Director of Advancement, Miami University
“Lee offers much for any university or nonprofit entity seeking expanded constituent engagement and deep cultivation of the broader base of supporters. His analysis was and remains contemporary. His communications clear, concise and friendly! Lee is an opportunity at hand and clearly one of the best in the business. I strongly recommend you avail yourself and your organization of Lee Patouillet.”
Andy Reeher, President, Reeher Group, LLC
“Lee is expert at applying data and information to improve organizational performance. He understands how to get the information he needs. More importantly, he is committed to putting it to work to build better, smarter relationships.”
ALUMNI INVOLVEMENT IN LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Alumni can be effective and powerful advocates for the institution. Patouillet has worked with government relations colleagues at three institutions to establish effective alumni legislative advocacy programs. Most recently, he played a leadership role in creating the successful Gators for Higher Education legislative advocacy program at the University of Florida.
STUDENT ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMS
Students are truly alumni in residence. Too often colleges and universities don’t effectively engage these future alumni while they are still on campus as students and then wonder why more alumni aren’t involved in the life of the institution. Patouillet wrote the white paper to establish the Student Alumni Association/Student Foundation (SAA/SF). This organization was the forerunner of the Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (ASAP). He started student alumni associations at USF and Pitt. At the University of Florida, he provided oversight to the largest dues-paying student alumni association in the country with more than 10,000 student members.
ALUMNI CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
National research reveals a major need on college campuses for increased career networking for both students and alumni. Patouillet worked with Yale University and Harris Connect to develop a robust online career networking module attracting more than 7,000 volunteers in 30 months resulting in 40,000 searches at Pitt. He has also collaborated with career resource colleagues to offer a broad array of career services for alumni at all of the institutions he served.
