What if a few strategic email decisions could boost your click-through rates by 73% and gifts by 26% on your giving day? On this episode of Talking Tactics, Day sits down with Veronica Jones and Zack Schmidt from the University of Iowa Center for Advancement to unpack how they moved from a time-consuming email process to a smart, automated strategy that actually improved the donor experience. If you're looking for better ways to connect with alumni and donors during your next giving day — and drive real results — this episode is your blueprint.
What if a few strategic email decisions could boost your click-through rates by 73% and gifts by 26% on your giving day? On this episode of Talking Tactics, Day sits down with Veronica Jones and Zack Schmidt from the University of Iowa Center for Advancement to unpack how they moved from a time-consuming email process to a smart, automated strategy that actually improved the donor experience. If you're looking for better ways to connect with alumni and donors during your next giving day — and drive real results — this episode is your blueprint.
Guest Names:
Veronica Jones, Executive Director, Annual Giving
Zack Schmidt, Executive Director, Marketing Analytics & Web Strategy, University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Guest Socials:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicaajones/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackschmidt/
Guest Bios:
Veronica Jones is the Executive Director of Annual Giving at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, where she has spent over a decade leading innovative, data-driven strategies to connect donors with impact. With more than 15 years in higher education advancement, she’s recognized for her creative donor engagement, inclusive leadership, and award-winning campaigns. Veronica holds a B.A. in Project Management from the University of Arizona Global Campus and is passionate about mentorship, team empowerment, and building an inclusive, future-focused culture of philanthropy.
Zack Schmidt serves as Executive Director of Marketing Analytics & Web Strategy at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, where he oversees digital engagement, UX, and marketing analytics in support of philanthropic goals. With 20+ years in higher ed communications, Zack brings together expertise in design, development, and strategic leadership. A double Iowa graduate in Communication and Design, he’s a CASE award-winner and national speaker on topics like email marketing and the university’s One Day for Iowa campaign.