DAR embarks on Advancement path

Eagle-eyed visitors to McGill’s website may notice something slightly different. As of Labour Day, the unit previously known as Development and Alumni Relations officially changed its name to “University Advancement” (or “Avancement universitaire” in French).

Alumni and Fundraising unit changes its name

Eagle-eyed visitors to McGill’s website may notice something slightly different. As of Labour Day, the unit previously known as Development and Alumni Relations officially changed its name to “University Advancement” (or “Avancement universitaire” in French).

For Marc Weinstein, Vice-Principal of the newly-christened Advancement unit, the change isn’t just an opportunity to order new business cards. It represents a fundamental evolution in how his team works together, and how McGill connects to the communities it serves.

“I’m very excited about this change, which I think brings our public face much more closely in line with who we are and what we stand for,” he says. “University Advancement reflects the true nature of our mission: to advance our institution by encouraging our community to rally behind McGill’s progress and aspirations.”

As Weinstein explains, the new moniker also reflects an important evolution his department has been undergoing in recent years, aimed at bringing fundraising and alumni engagement activities together into one seamless whole. Behind the scenes, this has involved significant restructuring of Advancement’s various departments, as well as the addition of two new senior staff members. Paul Chesser, formerly Chief Development Officer at Carleton University, has joined McGill as the new Assistant Vice-Principal of Development, while Gabrielle Korn, who was previously Director of Communications for Les amis de la montagne, has come on board as Managing Director of Alumni Relations, replacing the recently-retired Honora Shaughnessy.

“Both Paul and Gabrielle bring a wealth of experience and a wonderfully creative set of new ideas to the table,” Weinstein says. “I know that they are going to play a key role in helping us do an even better job with what we all come to work every day to do: forge lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, donors, students, parents and friends, and secure ongoing philanthropic support to help the University advance its mission and achieve its priority objectives.”

The name change became official on Sept. 2, when it started to appear on marketing and communications materials across McGill.

And if you do run into Marc Weinstein on Peel Street outside of Martlet House, feel free to address him by his brand-new title: Vice-Principal of University Advancement.

 

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Ibrahim Inayatali MBA'82
9 years ago

Congratulations, Marc. Wonderful opportunity to refocus and expand into new avenues. Best wishes.