Advancement and Alumni Relations senior appointments
At its November 17 meeting, Concordia University’s Board of Governors approved the appointment of Marie Claire Morin as Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Relations, effective January 9, 2012, for an 18-month renewable term. Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Frederick Lowy announced that Me. Dominique McCaughey will continue to serve as Acting Vice-President of the sector in the interim, in addition to her new role as Associate Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Relations.
Marie Claire Morin
Marie Claire Morin brings more than 25 years of experience in leading and motivating highly effective teams in the successful execution of fundraising programs (including major gifts, planned giving and annual giving campaigns), as well as external relations and strategic communications programs.
Prior to joining Concordia, Morin was the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation. She created the founding national board of the foundation and helped to establish its governance and committee structure. During her tenure, she instituted groundbreaking endowments in research, curatorial acquisitions, educational programs and library sciences. In addition, she established national and international sponsorship programs. Prior to her arrival at the institution in 1998, the National Gallery had never conducted fundraising activities with professional staff.
As the President and Chief Operating Officer of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation from 1994 to 1998, Morin planned and directed all fundraising programs, attracted and cultivated major donors, completed the hospital’s capital campaign, and oversaw the introduction of several new programs, including an academic enrichment and research endowment with a $20-million goal. During her four years in office, she increased the endowment by 25 per cent.
Fluently bilingual, Morin studied Social Communications and Political Science at the University of Ottawa and was a Fellow of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. She was the recipient of the Best Fundraising Event Award at the 9th Annual Canadian Events Industry Awards.
“Marie Claire has an established track record in the planning and execution of successful fundraising programs, extensive experience in best governance practices, and exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills,” said Lowy. “We look forward to working with her to strengthen our donor and alumni relations and to advance our fundraising initiatives.”
As a member of the senior administration, Morin will support Concordia’s strategic framework through the planning and execution of all fundraising activities and campaigns, alumni stewardship, the cultivation of donors, and events planning. She will also oversee the university’s development and Alumni Relations operations.
“I am very honoured to take on this important and vital role at Concordia,” said Morin. “Concordia is a very dynamic institution with an engaged alumni. I look forward to working with colleagues, donors and alumni to ensure we can achieve our goals to benefit the Concordia community.”
Dominique McCaughey
Me. Dominique McCaughey, who has served as Acting Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Affairs, since September 2010, has been appointed to the newly created position of Associate Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Relations. She will continue as Acting Vice-President until Morin joins the university in January.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Dominique for her leadership over the past 14 months,” said Lowy. “She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Concordia and its donors and alumni, and successfully directed the advancement and alumni programs to ensure continued growth and success.”
Me. McCaughey successfully maintained the pace of fundraising, managed the unit’s personnel and budgets, and led the initiative to restore the Loyola Refectory Building, which is scheduled to open December 1, 2011 as the Loyola Jesuit Hall and Conference Centre. “This past year has been fulfilling and rewarding. I am extremely proud of our team and our accomplishments,” said Me. McCaughey.
In her new role, Me. McCaughey will execute strategies for the next phase of the comprehensive campaign, and will continue to build partnerships with individual donors, alumni and the corporate sector.
Me. McCaughey is an attorney with specialization in charity law, family, successions, commercial and corporate law. From 2003 to 2006, she was at the Montreal firm of Robinson Sheppard Shapiro. At Concordia, Me. McCaughey served as Principal Director of Development, Special Initiatives, from 2008 to 2011, Acting Director of Campaigns from 2006 to 2009, and Director, Special Initiatives, from 2006 to 2008.
She earned a BA in History, Honours with Distinction, in 1996 and an MA in History, with Distinction in 2002 from Concordia. She was a J.W. McConnell Memorial Graduate Fellow and a FCAR (now Fonds de recherche du Québec – Sociéte et culture) MA Fellow. She also earned BCL and LLB degrees, with Distinction, from McGill University in 2003.
Related link:
• Alumni and Giving