Nenone Donaldson named Vice-President, Advancement

The University of Waterloo has named Nenone Donaldson as Vice-President, Advancement, effective January 1, 2022 Donaldson is currently Senior Director, Engineering Advancement in the Faculty of Engineering.

“Nenone brings with her a wealth of experience as a successful fundraiser for Waterloo Engineering and a deep understanding of our institution as a long-time employee,” said Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor and chair of the nomination committee in a memo circulated to campus yesterday. “The nomination committee was inspired by her vision to take Waterloo’s advancement activities to the next level, supporting the achievement of the University’s bold and ambitious Strategic Plan.”

A professional fundraiser since 1998, Nenone Donaldson joined the University in the Faculty of Engineering in 2004 during Campaign Waterloo as one of the institution’s first Faculty-based fundraisers. With an expansive track record of building successful relationships, developing key connections, and strengthening the alumni network, she has built several strategic corporate alliances that have allowed Waterloo Engineering to pursue ambitious plans.

In 2013, she added the role of campaign director for the highly successful Educating the Engineer of the Future campaign, which raised over $100 million. In 2017, she assumed leadership of the advancement team in Engineering, a portfolio which includes marketing, communications, recruitment, events, alumni relations, and fundraising. She has also served in a volunteer capacity on not-for-profit boards in the youth sector and advised technology start-ups on leadership, communications, and people.

A nine-member nomination committee worked over the course of this year to identify the skills and criteria necessary for the next vice-president, advancement at Waterloo. They sought someone who shares Waterloo’s unmatched commitment to innovation and industry engagement, an appreciation for Waterloo’s unique alumni base, and an experienced advancement leader to champion the development and implementation of the University’s fundraising and advancement activities. Donaldson’s appointment follows an international search.

“It’s a thrilling time to be leading fundraising at Waterloo,” says Donaldson. “Guided by our strategic plan, the University is charting an ambitious and bold future where we will be solving some of society’s most challenging problems. I look forward to working with the entire advancement team to engage alumni and donors to re-imagine their role in supporting higher education.”

In his memo to campus, President Goel thanked the nominating committee for their work as well as Sandra Banks for serving as interim vice-president advancement until Nenone’s appointment goes into effect in January 2022.