McMaster’s VP Advancement honoured with national award
Mary Williams, McMaster’s vice-president of University Advancement, has been recognized with the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education’s Outstanding Achievement Award, the organization’s highest honour.
The CCAE is a national organization that promotes excellence in educational advancement. Its annual awards recognize outstanding achievements in alumni affairs, public affairs, communications, development, student recruitment and overall institutional advancement.
Williams has been a key member of an executive leadership team that has enhanced McMaster’s reputation for excellence, built strong relationships and expanded and stewarded private and public support for McMaster.
“In her 20-plus years in the educational advancement profession, Mary has always exemplified what it means to be a leader and a mentor,” said President Patrick Deane. “From her time as alumni director to her current role leading McMaster’s 75-member Advancement team, she has inspired her McMaster team and advancement professionals across Canada and internationally to strive for excellence.”
“I sincerely believe that this award is actually a group award,” said Williams. “I couldn’t do my job without my colleagues and mentors, so winning an individual award for what I consider to be a team effort just does not compute at all.”
McMaster’s University Advancement team has also been recognized with three national awards from the CCAE.
McMaster’s Advancement team was recognized for its work in public relations, digital communications, alumni engagement and social media.
The team was awarded a silver medal for its strategic use of the University’s on-campus television studio in garnering national and international news coverage, a silver medal for its “Two Minute Tips” video series aimed at young alumni and a bronze medal for 2014’s #MyDayAtMac social media campaign.
Williams was previously the recipient of the CCAE’s Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award. Her team has been recognized with 38 professional association awards since 2011.
