McMaster announces new Vice-President, University Advancement

Lili Litwin will be joining McMaster on June 1 as McMaster’s new vice-president, University Advancement.

“Lili’s experience and success in fundraising at some of the country’s most respected institutions is an excellent match for McMaster,” said President David Farrar. “It is the generous contributions of donors that allow our researchers, faculty and students to take on even larger challenges and to have greater impact. I know Lili will be warmly welcomed at the university and will quickly become a strong link with our alumni, donors and friends of the university.”

As a leading Canadian advancement expert, Litwin has worked across the research, hospital, charitable and university sectors. In addition to serving as executive director of Advancement at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, she spent five years as president of the St. Michael’s Foundation at St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence Healthcare, Unity Health Toronto. In both roles she led fundraising campaigns that surpassed their goals, developed strong and diverse advancement teams and liaised with academic partners on governance and donor stewardship.

“McMaster is well known as one of Canada’s leading universities and a global powerhouse in research. I’m excited and feel privileged to help the university,” said Litwin. “I am really looking forward to start working with the University Advancement team, meet alumni and donors and share the university’s outstanding programs and discoveries around the world.”

Litwin graduated from York University with a B.Ed. Her earlier work experience includes time as vice-president of Development at the Canadian Centre for Diversity and with ONEXONE, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in health and education.

“We have been fortunate to have Debbie Martin as the interim vice-president University Advancement over the past year,” said Farrar. “Debbie has guided the UA team while maintaining her role as AVP and chief facilities officer. On behalf of the entire university community, I want to extend my thanks and deep appreciation for her strong and thoughtful leadership.”