Interim Meeting 2026 - CEO Dean/Development Officer Program Speakers
Jeff Bates
Dean and Professor
Cedarville University
In April 2021, Dr. Jeffrey Bates was appointed Dean of Cedarville University’s School of Pharmacy after serving as Associate Dean for five years. Dr. Bates’ pharmacy career of 30+ years has allowed him the opportunity to recruit, inspire, and equip more than 2,700 Pharmacists. He works tirelessly to ensure students’ God-given passions and abilities align well, preparing them for a lifetime of patient care. Throughout his career, Dr. Bates has strived to exceed expectations, modeling excellent care and strong servant-leadership.
In the years prior to joining Cedarville, Dr. Bates served at Ferris State University’s College of Pharmacy as Assistant Dean and Director of Student Success. While at Ferris, he founded the Ferris Pharmacy Care Clinic in 2013. Located inside Ferris’ College of Pharmacy, students continue to hone their clinical skills, assuring comprehensive care to underserved patients in and around Mecosta County. Further, he shared clinical responsibilities in an Interdisciplinary Diabetes Clinic, facilitating experiential and inter-professional learning for pharmacy, optometry, and nursing students.
Dr. Bates has served the Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International (CPFI) since 2015. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2016 and asked to chair the Educational Affairs committee. Since that point, he has planned and emceed CPFI’s annual conference annually. In 2025, Dr. Bates was chosen by CPFI as President where he helps with vision casting, strategic goal setting, and expanded impact of the organization.
Additionally, Dr. Bates has helped lead several other non-profit organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Pharmacists Association, Hope House Free Medical Clinic, Cran Hill Ministries, and a Michigan nursing home chain, The Peplinski Group. He currently serves as a deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville and has led committees in the American Academy of Colleges of Pharmacy and at the Michigan Pharmacist’s Association.
Dr. Bates and his wife, Sheryl, live on a small pharm in the country outside of Cedarville. They have served as foster care parents to ten children, adopting three. In the next chapter of life, their two incredible granddaughters bring great joy to their lives.
Antonio "Tony" Burns, MBA
Senior Director of Development
University of Texas
Antonio "Tony" Burns is originally from Chicago, IL, and joined University of Texas after five years at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry (UTHSCCoD). During his time at UTHSCCoD, Tony served as the Senior Director of Development, which required him to manage a team and serve as the lead for the philanthropic operation. Tony was the architect and manager of the UTHSCCoD’s Campaign for Clinical Excellence; this $30M initiative focused on the acquisition of equipment, scholarships, and faculty endowments.
Tony was employed at Colgate University before relocating to Tennessee and worked in various roles including Admission, Annual Giving, Leadership Giving, and Major Gifts. While at Colgate he also served as Director of the Parents' and Grandparents' Fund for which he led the overall parent engagement effort for the university. As the Chief Development Officer for the college of pharmacy, Tony is responsible for working closely with the dean to grow philanthropic support for the college and guide campaign activities. He also manages a team that focuses on frontline fundraising and alumni relations. During his three years at Texas, Tony’s team increased fundraising from a $2.2M historical average to nearly $12M annually.
Tony received his B.A. from Colgate University and an Executive Master of Public Administration and Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of South Dakota. He earned his MBA from the University of Memphis and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies.
Renae Chesnut, Ed.D., MBA,
Dean Emerita
Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Renae Chesnut is Dean Emerita of the Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. During her years as Dean, she guided the college through program development, strengthened partnerships with healthcare organizations, and worked to increase alumni engagement as well as philanthropic support for the college. Collaborating with the university’s advancement team, alumni, and professional partners, she helped develop support for student scholarships, international experiences, faculty initiatives, and facility enhancements as well as expanded the College’s base of support and long-term relationships.
Dr. Chesnut earned her B.S. in Pharmacy, MBA, Ed.S., and Ed.D. degrees from Drake University. Before serving as dean, she held several administrative roles including associate dean for academic and student affairs, assistant dean for student affairs, and director for student services. She also worked as a pharmaceutical marketing representative for Eli Lilly & Co.
Dr. Chesnut contributions to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) include serving as Chair of the Council of Deans (2021-2022) and member of the AACP Board of Directors (2020–23), inaugural Chair of the Student Affairs Committee (2016-17), inaugural Chair of the Administrative Services Section (2014-15), and Chair of the Student Services SIG (2002-03). She served as a dean facilitator for the Academic Leadership Fellows Program (2024-25 and 2018-19) and was an ALFP Cohort 2 Fellow (2005-2006). She received AACP’s awards for Sustained Contribution to Administrative Practice (Administrative Services Section) and the James Robertson Leadership Excellence in Student Services (Student Services SIG).
Her dedication to students and the profession has been recognized with honors, including Drake CPHS’s Mentor of the Year Award (twice), the Granberg Leadership Award, the Richard Morrow Transformational Leadership Award. Drake University honors include the Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Donald V. Adams Spirit of Drake Award. She has also received state and national recognition, including the Iowa Pharmacy Association’s Robert G. Gibbs Distinguished Pharmacist Award, and Lambda Kappa Sigma’s Vanguard Leadership Award.
Andrew Gauss
Director of Development
Idaho State University
Andrew Gauss is a senior advancement strategist with more than 22 years of experience in higher education fundraising and communications. He currently serves as Director of Development for the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy at Idaho State University, where he leads major gift strategy and donor engagement initiatives to advance the college’s mission. In this role, Andrew manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors, collaborates with university leadership to identify strategic investment opportunities, and supports institutional fundraising priorities and capital campaigns.
Throughout his career, Andrew has combined strategic communications expertise with a deep understanding of donor relations to achieve exceptional fundraising results. At Boise State University, he directed advancement communications and played a key leadership role in developing and executing the marketing and communications strategy for $500 million Unbridled: The Campaign for Boise State University, a comprehensive philanthropic initiative designed to expand opportunities for students, research, and community impact. His work helped strengthen Boise State’s advancement brand and contributed to record-setting fundraising outcomes. At the University of Idaho, Andrew led the creative direction for the $260 million Inspiring Futures campaign, managing a team that produced compelling donor communications and campaign materials that helped exceed fundraising goals.
Andrew earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Relations from Idaho State University. His work reflects a strong commitment to building authentic donor relationships, crafting compelling philanthropic narratives, and advancing the missions of the universities he serves.
Brynn Huysman, M.S.
Senior Director of Development
University of Texas at Austin
Brynn Huysman joined the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy as Senior Director of Development in 2023. Brynn is a fundraising professional with 15 years of fundraising experience in higher education advancement. Through her career, she has specialized in developing and leading successful fundraising strategies within colleges of pharmacy. Having served at three different colleges (University of Florida & University of Tennessee Health Science Center in addition to UT Austin), Brynn brings a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges involved in cultivating philanthropic support for pharmacy education and research.
In her current role at Texas Pharmacy, Brynn manages a portfolio of principal-level gift prospects and works closely with college leadership and research faculty to advance foundation relations and industry partnerships. She has played a pivotal role in establishing the college’s first Industry Advisory Board and has significantly expanded the college’s foundation grant activity through strategic relationship building and collaborative engagement
Brynn holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Florida, as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. She is deeply committed to fostering partnerships that advance education, research and innovation through strategic philanthropy.
Pamela C. Heaton, B.S.Pharm, Ph.D., FAPhA
Dean and Professor
University of Toledo
Pamela C. Heaton, B.S.Pharm, Ph.D., FAPhA is Dean and Professor at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. A health outcomes researcher, her research focuses on the use of secondary databases to evaluate clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes of drug therapy. She also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, where she promotes scholarship that advances pharmacy. In her role as dean, she has been deeply engaged in fundraising to support student travel, enhance research opportunities, and expand scholarships. She has also worked to strengthen relationships with alumni to build a vibrant and supportive college community.
Dr. Heaton has been an active and dedicated member of AACP for over 20 years. She currently serves on the task force creating a Dean and Development Officer Program for the 2026 Interim Meeting. She has been a dean mentor for the Academic Leadership Fellows Program (2023–2024) and was an ALFP Fellow (2012–2013). Her leadership roles include serving as Chair of the Council of Sections and member of the AACP Board of Directors (2020–2023), Chair of the Social and Administrative Sciences Section (2017–2020), Chair of the Ethics SIG (2008–2009) and participation in numerous committees and task forces. Through this work, she has supported innovation in pharmacy education, mentorship, and faculty development.
Kerry LaPlante, Pharm.D., FCCP, FIDSA, FIDP
Dean and Professor
University of Rhode Island
Dr. Kerry LaPlante is an internationally recognized infectious diseases pharmacist-scientist, and clinician with nearly 25 years of experience bringing together experts across academic, public, and private sectors.
She currently serves as the first female Dean of the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in its 123-year history (1902 - present), where she is leading bold transformation—with a strong focus on community, innovation, and impact.
A first-generation college student from South Buffalo, NY, Dr. LaPlante began her pharmacy journey at age 16 behind the counter of a local independent drugstore. Her roots continue to shape her leadership style: hands-on, authentic, and fiercely committed to helping others. Known for “not being a textbook dean,” she brings energy, creativity, and strategic vision to everything from groundbreaking research to student leadership.
Her scientific expertise lies in antimicrobial resistance, pharmacotherapy, pharmacodynamics, and infectious diseases. She has published extensively, led impactful research, and helped shape national antimicrobial stewardship practices. As Vice President of the Board for MAD-ID (Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases), she leads national efforts to advance education, clinical excellence, and leadership development in infectious diseases.
At URI, Dr. LaPlante is reimagining pharmacy’s role in solving healthcare’s toughest problems—also focusing on integrating neuroscience, infectious diseases, immunology, and health care access into the College’s strategic priorities; expanding workforce development and graduate programs; and forging innovative collaborations across biotech, academia, and public health. She also champions belonging, accessibility, and inclusive excellence as central to her mission.
Jeff Mercer, Pharm.D., MBA
Dean and Professor
Campbell University
Dr. Jeff Mercer serves as an associate professor of Pharmacy Practice and Dean of the Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, in Buies Creek, NC. He earned his B.S. in Pharmacy and Pharm.D. degrees from Auburn University and an MBA from Harding University. With more than 20 years of experience in pharmacy education and leadership, Mercer previously served as Dean at Harding University’s College of Pharmacy. His expertise includes pharmacy operations, experiential education, academic administration, and leadership development. A licensed pharmacist in multiple states, he is actively engaged in state and national pharmacy organizations, serves as a site visitor for the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and frequently contributes to topics related to professional leadership, higher education, and pharmacy advocacy.
Glen Schumock, Pharm.D., Ph.D., MBA, FCCP
Dean and Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Glen T. Schumock is Professor and Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Previously, he was Head of the Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy (2013-2017), and founding Director of the Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomic Research (2002-2013). He has held clinical and managerial positions in hospital pharmacy, and from 1995-2000 he was Director of Pharmacy at Wausau Hospital, Wisconsin. He has degrees from Washington State University (B.Pharm.), the University of Washington (Pharm.D.), and the UIC (MBA., and Ph.D.). He completed residency and fellowship training at the University of Washington and UIC. Dr. Schumock’s scholarly efforts focus on the economic impact, clinical effectiveness, and safety of pharmaceuticals and related services or policies. He has received over $6 million in funding as a PI from government agencies, private foundations, and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Schumock has authored over 200 articles and books. He is on the editorial boards of Pharmacotherapy and the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research (Associate Editor). In 2014 he received the Award for Sustained Contributions to the Literature from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Foundation. He is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
Dana Strachan, Pharm.D., BCPS
Dean and Professor
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Dana Strachan, Pharm.D., BCPS is currently Dean and a Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy, where she actively teaches both in and out of the classroom. She has been in higher education as an educator and preceptor of students and residents for over 20 years. She currently coordinates and teaches in Pharmacy Calculations and teaches Men’s Health in Endocrinologic/Musculoskeletal Pharmacotherapy. She also guest lectures in the Servant Leadership series and precepts students on medical missions and academia Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. As part of her responsibilities at PBAU, Dr. Strachan is actively involved in international medical missions and has led and participated in trips to the Dominican Republic, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Honduras. She plays an instrumental role in enhancing alumni engagement and leads philanthropic fundraising efforts in support of medical missions and academic scholarships, furthering the school’s mission to serve and educate globally-minded pharmacy professionals. Before becoming Dean, Dr. Strachan served as Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for ten years. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) and completed a Primary Care/Managed Care residency at Campbell University. She is currently a board-certified specialist in pharmacotherapy.
Ellen L. Woods, CFRE
President
American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
Ellen L. Woods, CFRE, is a visionary nonprofit executive with more than 40 years of experience leading complex organizations through strategic growth, innovation, and change. As President of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE), she champions national efforts to advance research and education across U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy.
Her career reflects an exceptional record in executive leadership, fundraising, strategic planning, and board relations. She has successfully led multiple capital and annual campaigns ranging from $5 million to $30 million, cultivated major gifts exceeding $11 million, and managed operating budgets over $11 million and foundation assets of $46 million.
Prior to AFPE, Ellen held senior leadership roles at the Epilepsy Foundation, the PA Foundation, Manchester Bidwell Corporation, Windham Hospital, and St. Francis Health Foundation. Across these roles, she has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to unite diverse stakeholders, inspire donor confidence, and deliver sustainable organizational results.
Ellen has served as a board member and advisory member of several nonprofit boards and campaigns.