Anita Nielsen has joined the University of the Fraser Valley as Executive Director, Advancement and Alumni Relations.

She comes to UFV from KCI Ketchum Canada, where she was a senior search and philanthropy consultant.

Prior to this role Anita held increasingly senior positions with the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, culminating as Associate Vice President, Annual & Planned Giving.

Anita has also served as the Director of Development for the National Ballet of Canada; Manager, Corporate Giving for the SickKids Foundation; and Development Officer for the Royal Ontario Museum Board of Governors.

Throughout her career Anita has successfully generated philanthropic support for numerous organizations. During her time at Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, she created a fundraising and stewardship program for more than 40,000 donors, tripling annual revenues and generating over $120 million to benefit the organization.

Committed to the betterment of her community, Anita has donated her time to a number of organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Esprit Orchestra, Inner City Angels, the Toronto District School Board and Tourette Canada.

Anita is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She holds a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Recreation & Leisure Studies from the University of Waterloo. She has been a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) for the past 18 years.

Her portfolio at UFV includes advancement and alumni relations. Maureen Berlin, who held the position of Director of Advancement on an interim basis, has now taken on the new role of Director of Events and Community Relations.

Anita’s primary objective will be to deliver a strategic multi-faceted fundraising, stewardship, and alumni engagement program that will advance UFV’s short- and long-term goals and mission.

“I am confident that Anita’s extensive experience combined with her strong mentorship and team-building leadership style will serve to further elevate and foster the strengths of our advancement team here at UFV,” says Craig Toews, VP External, to whom she reports.

Born and raised in White Rock, BC, Anita is thrilled to return to her roots and work on behalf of UFV. She is joined in her move back to the west coast by her two sons and mini Aussie Shepherd.

“I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome shown to me and my family. I am thrilled to be part of the UFV family and look forward to partnering with colleagues and stakeholders across the university and surrounding community to do great things together.”