From Curiosity to Impact

Jackie’s Career in USC Advancement

• Relationship Management Analyst
  2014 – 2016
• User Experience Designer
  2016 – 2020
• Director of CRM User Experience
  2020 – present

Journey to Advancement

Originally from the Greater Boston Area, Jacqueline DiMare began her career in a variety of roles, including Executive Assistant at Boston magazine and Development Data Manager at The Boston Foundation. After relocating to Los Angeles, she began volunteering with organizations like the Downtown Women’s Center and Food Not Bombs. Her diverse experiences laid the groundwork for a career rooted in service and impact. So, when she joined the USC Advancement team, she wasn’t sure where it would take her. Eleven years later, her tenure has helped her find purpose in problem-solving, collaboration and making a difference behind the scenes.

Today, Jackie serves as the Director of CRM User Experience, leading the strategy and implementation of Salesforce tools including CRM, Marketing Cloud and Experience Cloud. Her work ensures that our teams have the resources and training they need to use these tools effectively, whether it’s managing donor information, sending campaigns or helping alumni connect through the online portal.

A Path Paved by Curiosity

Jackie’s path to this role was paved not just by experience, but by curiosity. In 2015, USC Advancement was gearing up to launch a new platform — Salesforce. Although she had previous experience with the software, her fascination with Salesforce led her to independently pursue trainings outside of office hours and explore how the platform could better serve the Advancement team. “I saw an opportunity to contribute more and skilled up to meet the needs of the team,” she says.

From there, Jackie became a voice at the table in USC’s Salesforce conversation, which led to her involvement in developing what would become the ascend product: an advancement Salesforce solution pioneered at USC that has since been adopted by universities nationwide.

Jackie is energized by problem-solving and making her colleagues’ lives easier — so they can focus on what they do best. “I get the best of both worlds — working on the backend to solve technical solutions while still being able to connect with my colleagues,” she says. “Every Advancement employee touches Salesforce. The more complete and organized our information is, the more it supports our collective work.”

In addition to her accomplishments at USC, Jackie has also become a recognized leader in her field. She currently serves on the Salesforce Higher Education Advisory Council, helping other universities navigate the same systems she once taught herself. “I love giving back through education and learning from others. It’s a full-circle moment.”

Jackie’s Advice for Aspiring Advancement Professionals

“Stay curious and proactive. USC Advancement is large and complex, but full of generous people willing to share knowledge. Ask questions and look for opportunities to collaborate.”