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Unlocking the Power Within: A tale of two data miners

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Making sense of overwhelming quantities of data in today's world of data-driven fundraising is an increasingly complex task. Yet the opportunity to dig deeper into our alumni/donor databases to unlock strategic value has never been greater, thanks to advances in information technology.

Join this session to probe the art and science of data mining to craft a prospect identification system that differentiates your organization's most valuable prospects. Explore proven data-mining tactics for early identification and subsequent approaches to rate and segment prospects by value. Discover the power of leveraging hidden potential of data to support donor-centric strategies that treat different donors differently, one donor at a time.

Randy Bunney
Director of Research
University of Minnesota Foundation

Randy C. Bunney began his research career on the High Plains of Wyoming at the University of Wyoming in 1988. His career includes the 1994 creation and co-founding of the Internet Prospector, a noted online guide to Web resources and tools. Bunney is recipient of the 1998 Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement Service Award. He leads a high-performance research team at the University of Minnesota Foundation ,which has developed a foremost data mining and research analytics program. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Rebecca.   

Josh Burkholz
Associate Consultant – Advancement Services
Bentz Whaley Flessner

Joshua Birkholz is an Associate Consultant in the Advancement Services practice of Bentz Whaley Flessner.  His areas of expertise lie in prospect research and management, data mining, and performance measuring.  Josh has extensive knowledge of profiling, predictive modeling, constituent analysis, segmentation, data acquisition, prospect identification, research resources, and rating. His focus is on training development professionals in these tools to enable them to be at the cutting edge of constituent relationship management.

Prior to coming to Bentz Whaley Flessner, Josh was a prospect development analyst at the University of Minnesota Foundation.  He is a sought after speaker and presenter at both CASE and APRA events. 

Mr. Birkholz earned his Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University - St. Paul and his Master of Arts from St. Mary's University of Minnesota - Winona.  He has done extensive post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota -- Twin Cities.