In this episode of B2B Marketing Excellence & AI, Donna Peterson sits down with Bridgette Lehrer, the Global Audience Engagement Leader at UC Berkeley, to talk about what it really takes to build trust in higher education marketing today. They explore how to stay personal and purposeful as technology continues to evolve — and how a thoughtful balance between traditional and digital marketing can create a stronger sense of community.
In this episode of B2B Marketing Excellence & AI, Donna Peterson sits down with Bridgette Lehrer, the Global Audience Engagement Leader at UC Berkeley, to talk about what it really takes to build trust in higher education marketing today.
They explore how to stay personal and purposeful as technology continues to evolve — and how a thoughtful balance between traditional and digital marketing can create a stronger sense of community.
Bridgette shares practical ways her team nurtures long-term relationships with students, alumni, and colleagues across the world. From understanding cultural nuances in international outreach to creating personalized content powered by AI, she offers insights that every education marketer can apply right away.
One of Donna’s favorite examples is a simple but powerful traditional marketing initiative they use on campus: students take photos, then choose a few favorites to turn into postcards. During special events, everyone is invited to select a postcard and send it home to parents or friends. It’s a small gesture that builds genuine connection — and gets the entire UC Berkeley community involved.
Whether you manage executive education programs or global enrollment campaigns, this conversation will give you actionable ideas to:
The future of higher education marketing isn’t about more technology — it’s about using it wisely to stay human.
Timestamps
Bridgette Lehrer Bio-
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgette-lehrer/
Bridgette Lehrer is the Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach with the Berkeley International Study Program, a study abroad option at the University of California, Berkeley for highly motivated exchange students. Since 2009, she has cultivated expertise in students’ engagement, strategic marketing and outreach management with particular emphasis on international student recruitment and alumni relations. Prior to Berkeley, Bridgette worked in diverse industries including nonprofit fundraising, corporate marketing, and technology customer service. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Art History (Arizona State University), an M.A. in Museum Studies (San Francisco State University) and a Certificate in Digital Marketing (eCornell University).