Get to know our team! | Alumni | University of Waterloo

Discover the team behind Alumni Relations!

Since the start of the Alumni Relations blog three-and-a-half-years ago, we have had more than one hundred different blog posts from our alumni, students, and staff! From alumni events, to behind-the-scenes peeks during Convocation and Reunion, to personal alumni biographies, the past few years have been filled with memorable posts!

We hope you have had a great time reading about all of the University's diverse and interesting alumni, as well as checking out all of the latest updates and photos from our global events.

The Alumni Relations blog releases a new post every Friday, so make sure to follow us and check back weekly for new posts. For the time being, discover more about some of the amazing people who are behind the alumni events, services, and communications!

Hi, I’m Alison Boyd, Director, Alumni Relations

I’m very fortunate to have done my degree and started my career at UWaterloo and now, as the Director, I get to work with an amazing team of people across campus who want to help you stay connected.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy volunteering in my community, photography and travelling around the world with my partner, Andrew

Hi, I am Cynthia Breen, the Alumni Officer of Digital Initiatives.

I am a rare non-alumnus of UWaterloo around here, having completed my undergraduate from Guelph-Humber and graduate school in Communications Management from McMaster. But being a non-grad gives me a fresh outsider perspective on the awesome work Waterloo alumni do!

I am a mom to two very active kids, Bryson and Avery, and Chief Walking Companion to our yellow lab, Wrigley.

Between them and my husband Shane, we stay pretty busy and enjoy being involved in our community.

Hi, I am Dana Ciak, Alumni Officer, Communications and Marketing. I have the privilege of working with you, our outstanding alumni each and every day, writing about the amazing things you are all doing after graduation. Quite arguably, the best job in the world!

My husband and I are both proud Waterloo alumni and love to travel and spend time at home. Oh, and I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan.

I would love to hear from you and the great things you are doing so send me an e-mail anytime!

Hi I’m Alex Farley, and I'm currently filling the role of Alumni Officer, Volunteer Engagement

I'm a proud UW alumnus and big advocate for all things volunteer related (hence the job title)! Volunteerism is one of the many ways we get to interact with alumni around the globe, and I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to see this happen and find ways to empower our volunteers to be successful as they champion our mission and share our message.

In my spare time I enjoy volunteering in the community (of course), spending time with family and friends and try to travel as much as possible! Everywhere is on my bucket list, and I love learning about different cultures.

Hi! I’m Emily, the Alumni Officer, Students and Young Alumni.

I’m a proud alumna and a champion of the ‘Waterloo way’, which is all about finding your passion and doing things differently. I’m kept a busy member of the alumni team by creating great opportunities to engage and support Waterloo’s most recent graduates.

I’m creative and crafty – sewing, finding new uses for vintage pieces, and DIY home improvements are my outlets.

I’m happily married to my university sweetheart and a mom to a spoiled Brittany spaniel named Cash.

Hi everyone! I'm Heather Steinmetz and I'm the new kid around in Alumni Relations. I started in August 2016 serving as the new Alumni Officer, Reunions and Events. You've probably seen my e-mails once or twice in your inbox, and now you get to put a face to the name.

I have an exciting role as I get to work with you, our amazing alumni, in providing events throughout the year that are meaningful to you as far as learning something new, connecting with old friends, making new connections, and trying something new and exciting. So far, I've had the pleasure of hosting/co-hosting Reunion Weekend, Alumni Big Ticket, Alumni Theatre Night, Fantastic Alumni Day, and more. I hope you've had a chance to experience some of these for yourself! If not, you're always invited.

When I'm not thinking of fun ways to connect with all of you, I'm spending my time getting together with family and friends, playing volleyball, making arts and craft, baking, and laughing - I've been told my laugh is quite distinguishable.

Hi blog readers! My name is Erica and I am the Alumni Officer, Volunteer Engagement.

I have the pleasure of working with alumni around the world; hosting events, recruiting future Waterloo students and finding exciting international opportunities for our current students. Our Waterloo Alumni are passionate volunteers and each one of them brings their own experience and perspective to my work…it’s a pretty great gig!

Outside of work, I am a mom of two amazing girls and I have a third on the way! (If you’re reading this between March 2016 – April 2017, I’m on maternity leave) We love being outside, building forts and having dance parties. I also watch a lot of sports, volunteer whenever I can and love to get out on the water fishing whenever I can.