Advancement Information Services

At the intersection of UC Berkeley’s world-class fundraising and cutting-edge digital infrastructure stands Advancement Information Services (AIS). Under the leadership of Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer Jennifer Sierras, AIS is the engine behind the technology solutions and data integrity that drive our campus's advancement efforts.

Mission and Vision

Through the ongoing development, stewardship, and administration of Advancement’s ecosystem of record and adjacent technology/data solutions, UDAR’s Advancement Information Services facilitates effective constituent relationship management to help realize UC Berkeley’s short- and long-term philanthropic objectives. By aligning technology and data needs with practical, impactful governance, resourcing, and investments, AIS enables every dependent strategic, functional, and operational aspect of our giving lifecycle.

Technology and Data Governance

To ensure strategic and optimal use of campus resources, AIS operates under the Technology and Data Governance (internal to UDAR) structure. This framework improves transparency and coordination, ensuring that every technology investment directly serves our collective business needs and long-term advancement goals.

Executive Steering

Technology Advisory

Data Advisory

Teams in AIS

The AIS Ecosystem: Three Specialized Units 

Listen to our audio overview.

Each team plays a vital role in the lifecycle of our constituent data and technical infrastructure:

1. Strategic Planning and Management (SPM)

SPM acts as the architect of our Technology and Data project portfolio and focuses on three core functions:

  • Portfolio and Project Management Office (PMO): Expert project managers provide transparency and oversight for our project portfolio. They manage the frameworks for risk management, ensuring every request aligns with Technology and Data Governance.
  • Services Standardization: The team oversees security and privacy compliance while establishing frameworks for intake and initiation, demand/capacity, and AI oversight. They also guide change management and technology rationalization efforts.
  • Strategic Planning Support: Designs blueprints for growth, including investment rationalization, benefits realization frameworks, and horizon management and forecasting.

2. Technology Services (TS)

Technology Services administers the Cal Advancement Data System (CADS), Data Warehouse, and Integrations — the ecosystem of record for nearly 2 million constituent records and the critical link for transmitting financial data to the campus general ledger.

  • Infrastructure and Service Management: Delivers critical system architecture, administration, and security for over 1,000 users across campus while providing dedicated device support for UDAR. Our team manages a comprehensive suite of infrastructure and service platforms, including server engineering, network and storage, and IT service management (ITSM). We ensure operational excellence through rigorous SLA and contract management, asset tracking, and robust platform oversight.
  • Data Warehouse and Reporting Infrastructure: We manage Data Warehouse infrastructure and drive performance through proactive tuning. Our team oversees database access, security, and architecture, while providing comprehensive support for reporting and analytics.
  • Application Development: Our Application Development team drives the full software lifecycle, from platform administration and architecture to agile development and administration. We ensure high-quality, reliable releases through rigorous CI/CD release management and comprehensive QA/QC processes.

3. Data and Business Solutions (DBS)

DBS offers a holistic approach to managing our most valuable asset — data:

  • Data Management (DM): The office of record for all philanthropic gift and constituent data. DM ensures the proper acquisition, architectural design, and governance of data for constituents, aka: alumni, donors, and friends of the university.
  • Data Quality and Integrations (DQI): Ensures a high-integrity data ecosystem through rigorous validation standards and proactive monitoring of data holdings to meet operational, governance, and compliance requirements.
  • Solutions Management (SM): A team of seasoned analysts dedicated to process improvement, support of existing solutions, and the implementation of new tools that benefit the entire organization.

Supporting Advancement

Our Commitments to Campus

AIS is committed to driving transformation across the advancement landscape through:

  • Digital Engagement: Partnering campuswide to realize deeper connections through campus strategies and UDAR Journey Map alignment.
  • Fundraising Acceleration: Building the technology and data foundations necessary to enable campaign success, pipeline development, and complex analytics.
  • Operational Integrity: Ensuring compliance, financial integrity, and timely gift processing in partnership with Advancement Operations.
  • Data Consolidation: Integrating disparate data assets into a standardized, accessible system of record.
  • Innovation: Applying shared methodologies to improve end-to-end business processes.
  • Modernization: 

    Stay connected with our continued progress on the URSA Implementation Project, our initiative to further modernize our advancement capabilities.

Engage With Us

Resources and Support

Whether you are looking for data insights or need technical assistance, AIS is here to support your team’s success:

Upcoming Project