Why a Great Event Matters More Than Ever.
By Sarah Winkler · Published on LinkedIn
Higher ED
Inspiring Action Through Impact
Institutions of higher learning are crucibles of leadership, insights, and inventions with the potential to change the world. Achieving that brighter tomorrow requires creating a visionary movement among your supporters today.
A True Creative Partner
We provide a consultative approach built on decades of experience in higher education. Combined with a global team of talent, we tailor what is working best in brand engagement to create events rooted in powerful storytelling.
Our Approach
We help you accelerate
Whether you need to catalyze change or create a next-level experience, the most impactful plans begin with human insights. We pinpoint what matters to help you reach your goals.
We help you convene
Great ideas need alignment to thrive. We bring teams and stakeholders together around a shared vision.
We help you pioneer innovation
We tap our internal brand strategy, digital, and tech experts to reimagine engagement experiences.
We help you build bold strategies
We turn discovery into direction. Through deep analysis and inventive thinking, we design strategies that lead to thoughtful, effective, and innovative solutions.
We help you amplify reach
Campaigns, anniversaries, and
leadership transitions provide platforms for commanding
attention and “summoning the family” to reconnect and
engage as a global community. We create solutions to help you
rally your people and widen the circle.
Strategic Focus Areas
Campaign Launch Events
Campaigns are galvanizing opportunities to unite donors, alumni, and your campus community around a vision for the future. We partner with you to turn launches into powerful brand moments that shift narratives, forge emotional connections, and drive greater engagement.
Campaign Close Events
Campaign close events are more than a time to reflect and celebrate. They build excitement for the university’s future. Together, we can develop an unforgettable experience that highlights donor impact and looks forward.
Regional Tours
We specialize in turning campaign launch strategies into engaging regional tours. Our approach maximizes your launch investment while creating room for regional customization and campaign evolution.
Milestone Anniversaries
We take pride in planning and executing milestone anniversary events that celebrate your university’s history and inspire future growth. We focus on uniting your community and deepening engagement.
Leadership Transitions
In significant moments of change, we develop rollout strategies that set up new leaders for long-term success.
Leadership
SARAH WINKLER
SVP, INVNT HIGHER ED
About Sarah
For over 25 years, Sarah has created long term strategies that move audiences to deeper engagement. She has developed a nationally renowned university practice helping both public and private institutions realize the full potential of such milestones as campaign launches, regional tours, anniversary celebrations and presidential transitions. Sarah co-founded Educe in 2013 with a sole focus on higher education which was later sold in 2020. She has been published in national and regional press and recognized for her work by both PRSA and CASE. Sarah chaired the 2017 Case National Conference on Special Events and served on the CASE Summit Committee and Case Industry Advisory Council.
JOSH JOHNS
VP of Creative Strategy,
INVNT Higher ed
INVNT Higher ed
About Josh
Josh uncovers creative insights, connects the dots across priorities and disciplines, and brings the big picture in sharp focus through compelling creative strategy. He translates goals and objectives into clear creative direction, leading to the targeted development of messaging, video, and live experiences that engage donors, alumni, and partners in an institution's story. Josh has worked on shaping the stories behind some of the largest philanthropic campaigns in the country, such as Duke University, Harvard Business School, Yale University, New York University, and MIT.
Case Studies
We partner with forward-thinking schools to redefine how they use live events to cultivate relationships, drive philanthropy, and engage their global audiences.
A Sampling of Our Experience
Auburn University
Harvard Business School
Yale
University of Rochester
Cornell University
MIT
Emory University
University of Wisconsin
Indiana University
Penn State University
Johns Hopkins University
Oregon State University
University of California Irvine
Texas Christian University
University of Maryland
Duke University
Northeastern University
The Ohio State University
William & Mary
American University
Boston University
Catholic University of America
New York University
University of Virginia
St. Joseph University
Brown University
Rice University
Syracuse University
University of Kansas
University of Connecticut
UMBC
United States Naval Academy
Featured Articles
What do you need to know about INVNT
Get answers to common questions about INVNT's expertise, our approach to storytelling, digital innovation, and experiential marketing and discover how we help brands make bold, lasting impressions.
What is the specific focus of INVNT Higher Ed?
INVNT Higher Ed is dedicated to empowering colleges and universities to create impactful events and experiences that engage alumni, cultivate donor relationships, celebrate milestones, enhance institutional reputation, and connect with their diverse academic communities in meaningful ways.
What kind of events does INVNT Higher Ed produce for educational institutions?
We create a range of events, including campaign launches, donor cultivation events, alumni gatherings, milestone celebrations, and other strategic engagements designed for higher education.
How does INVNT Higher Ed incorporate storytelling into university events?
We leverage the power of brand storytelling to highlight institutional achievements, share visions for the future, and connect with diverse audiences, including alumni, donors, university leadership, faculty, and students.
What makes INVNT Higher Ed unique in the higher education event space?
Our consultative approach, combined with a global team of creative, technology, and production talent, allows us to translate and scale best practices from brand engagement to create impactful and persuasive experiences for higher education.
How does INVNT Higher Ed help universities achieve their fundraising and advancement goals?
We understand the unique landscape of university advancement. We collaborate with leadership and development teams to design events that strategically inform, inspire, and steward donors, helping to build a compelling case for support and ignite philanthropic movements.
Does INVNT Higher Ed offer services for both in-person and virtual/hybrid university events?
Yes, we are adept at designing and executing events across all formats. Whether it's a milestone experience, a sophisticated virtual webinar series, or a hybrid event blending physical and digital attendees, we leverage technology and creative storytelling to maximize engagement and reach.
How does INVNT Higher Ed incorporate the unique culture and history of a university into its events?
We pride ourselves on creating bespoke experiences. Our process involves deep dives into your institution's legacy, traditions, and aspirations. We weave these unique elements into the event's narrative, design, and programming to create an authentic and deeply resonant experience for all stakeholders.
Beyond event production, what strategic value does INVNT Higher Ed bring to universities?
We act as strategic partners, not just vendors. We bring a consultative approach, leveraging our global expertise in brand storytelling and experiential marketing to help universities refine their event strategy, enhance their narrative, and build stronger, more lasting relationships with their various constituencies.
Global brand storytelling that move audiences
End-To-end creative solutions for challenger brands and organizations
From concept to execution, INVNT delivers world-class, innovation-led brand experiences that impact audiences, dent culture, and make history. Our global in-house teams specialize in creative, strategy, experiential marketing, digital strategy, content, and innovation-led solutions that help brands break through and lead with purpose.
Impresive Brand Experiences
Live, hybrid, and virtual activations that move audiences and bring your brand story for life.
Purposeful Digital Strategy
Web, content, and social strategies designed to connect, convert, and inspire action.
Innovation That Performs
Creative tech, data, AI, AR/VR/MR/XR, Spatial Computing and emerging tools that fuel your brand’s next moon shot.
Let’s Talk!