CREDIT: PROVIDED BY FANSHAWE'S CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Gillian Sneddon has been hired as the executive director, advancement and alumni at Fanshawe and will use her more than 20 years of experience to take Fanshawe to the next level.

Fanshawe welcomed a new staff member during this past summer, as Gillian Sneddon started her new role as executive director, advancement and alumni.

According to a Fanshawe Corporate Communications press release, Sneddon has over 20 years of experience in advancement and alumni gained through the social, health and higher education sectors.

The press release also outlined Sneddon’s professional background.

She started her career at the London Health and Stroke Foundation as an area manager and then moved to the London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) where she was the director of annual and planned giving and then promoted to the vice president of Community Development and Partnerships.

“Having spent a number of years working in the hospital sector, I have an excellent understanding of the London and southwestern Ontario community,” Sneddon said.

Sneddon then moved into the post secondary educational sector where she was the director of alumni and development for the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University and then moved to her roles as executive director, advancement for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and executive director of special projects at the University of Toronto.

“I have significant experience working in the university environment and I am comfortable developing programs to effectively advance educational mandates and position post-secondary education as an opportunity for donor investment,” Sneddon said. “My experience working at the University of Toronto has given me a broad perspective on how global philanthropists support educational initiatives.” According to Sneddon, the key areas that fall under the executive director, advancement and alumni role include looking at current projects that are being funded by donors and expanding the opportunities, working with members of senior management to ensure that advancements are in line with the College’s strategic vision, and ensuring that the administrative aspects are in compliance of what is needed in taking philanthropic gifts. “Ontario’s Colleges have a tremendous impact on the economy in Ontario and contribute hundreds of thousands of trained professionals to Canada’s workplace every year,” Sneddon said. “The ability to use my skills to enhance our community’s understanding of Fanshawe’s leadership in this sphere is extraordinarily exciting and it is a significant factor in my decision to join the Fanshawe team.”

Sneddon said she is excited for the new role and believes she is able to bring a broad set of skills and experience that can take Fanshawe to the next level.

“In my role, I aim to continue the great work done during the Remarkable Campaign while working with Fanshawe’s students and faculty to explore new areas where increased philanthropic and corporate support could make a difference to student support and program development,” Sneddon said.

One thing that Sneddon wants the community to know is that, “colleges are distinct yet equal partners with universities in providing skilled and educated Canadians for the workplace.”