Cross-cultural awareness with Courtney Stombock

What happens when the heart of your alumni connection isn’t just the institution, but the place itself? In this episode of Alumless World, hosts Ryan and Nicole sit down with Courtney Stombock, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at The American University of Paris (AUP), to explore what it takes to build meaningful alumni engagement and fundraising programs in an international, multicultural environment. Courtney shares insights from her career spanning the U.S. and Europe, reflecting on how cross-cultural understanding shapes everything from gift conversations to volunteerism. From launching AUP’s first-ever Alumni Association to engaging globally mobile alumni across 145 countries, she explains how “place,” identity, and alumni-centric thinking redefine traditional engagement strategies. The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about international advancement and how to build community at scale with limited resources. Tune in for the extended podcast version, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring Alumless World.