Debbie Martin is taking on the role of McMaster’s acting vice-president, University Advancement (UA). She will assume the role at the beginning of May as current vice-president Mary Williams leaves the university after more than 30 years of service.

Martin currently serves as McMaster’s AVP and chief facilities officer and will continue in that position while taking on the acting VP role.

“I am very excited to work with our highly skilled University Advancement team in the acting vice-president role over the coming months,” Martin said.

“I’m also thrilled to be able to continue some of the very important work happening in Facility Services, including the development of a Campus Master Plan and the launch of the university’s inaugural Sustainability Strategy.”

The UA portfolio, which has traditionally included development, stewardship, alumni engagement, communications, marketing, public affairs and advancement services, will also be undergoing a structural change to better reflect the scope and complexity of work it undertakes on behalf of the university.

The envelope will be divided into two units, with Martin overseeing the development, stewardship, alumni engagement and advancement services areas, in collaboration with all the area leaders.

Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs (CMPA), under the continued leadership of Andrea Farquhar, will report directly to the president’s office.

These changes come at an exciting time for McMaster. As the university prepares to formally launch its first campaign in more than 10 years, the roles of the UA and CMPA teams continue to be vitally important.

Under the leadership of Lorna Somers and her team, and working closely with the president’s office, far-reaching and ambitious campaign goals are being established in advance of the formal launch of the transformative Brighter World Reimagining Innovation and Impact (BWRII) campaign.

“I am looking forward to working with Debbie as she takes on this role and these additional duties, and I thank her for bringing her university acumen and experience to the University Advancement portfolio,” said President David Farrar.

“The changes being made position us in the best possible way for success in the BWRII campaign and in our University Advancement and CMPA areas. With the excellent leadership we have in place across all these areas, I am looking forward to all that we can achieve together.”