Photo: Jon Kase and Peter Hansen (Hughes Hall 2004)
For a full third of every year, Cambridge in America fundraiser Jon Kase is on the road, in the air, and on his way, crisscrossing the country. He meets Cambridge University alumni where they are whether it’s in the South, Midwest, or Mountain West regions of the United States.
As the son of a college professor and a travel agent, Mr. Kase is well suited for his chosen path. A self-described extrovert, he thrives on travel and enjoys meeting new people.
We asked about his trajectory from his hometown in New Jersey to CAm and what it’s like learning about Cambridge through his engagement with its former students.
Before joining CAm, you worked at different nonprofit organizations, such as Cardozo School of Law, Autism Speaks, and Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative. What about nonprofit work inspires you?
It requires an entrepreneurial mindset, to be creative because these conversations with alumni and donors can lead to so many different things that you don't expect. For me, that's intellectually stimulating and fun. I like to help create something that is a little outside the box.
What is an example of that kind of synergy at CAm?
When I first met with alumnus Christopher Ling (Churchill 1986) he talked about the Churchill Archive project and how important it is, especially now. Mr. Ling leads the Ericsson Federal Technologies Group, and felt Winston Churchill’s lessons about navigating great power competition would speak to leaders of today dealing with a competitive landscape. This conversation led me to explore some ideas with the Director of the Churchill Archives Centre, Allen Packwood and has led to an informal advisory group thinking about ways to raise the profile of the Churchill Archives in the US. This year is the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s “Sinews of Peace” Speech [which ushered in the Cold War and made the term “Iron Curtain” a household phrase] and we have an impressive group of speakers lined up for the annual Churchill conference in March. (*The conference runs from 7 March to 9 March and takes place at Møller Institute, Churchill College. To register: https://archives.chu.cam.ac.uk/geopolitical-risk-event)
What’s changed for you as you’ve clocked the miles?
Early on in my career, I was focused on discussing statistics and solely the institution I was representing, thinking I needed to do a pitch or follow a script. I’ve come to understand that it’s all about active listening and enjoying conversations. It’s more of a relationship built on a personal level and listening to what motivates individuals.
What have you learned about Cambridge through your many meetings with former students?
I’m always impressed by the deep connections alumni feel to the University and how it shaped their lives. Undergraduates and graduates tell me about their time there, and it’s clear, there’s a transformational experience at Cambridge. They may share a funny May Ball story or one of punting and falling into the River Cam. There’s so much warmth in those memories. Cambridge is just so different from anywhere else.