CCAE Director Profile - Mary Williams

Mary Williams
Past-President
Vice-President, University Advancement
McMaster University

Mary Williams, as Associate Vice-President of University Advancement at McMaster University, plays a key role in the management of over 100 full-time employees. University Advancement is responsible for securing in excess of $20 million annually to support on-going university needs; engaging the university’s 130,000-plus alumni; and ensuring the university has strong public, community, and government relations programs. In recent history, the Advancement team has completed the $400 million Campaign for McMaster University ahead of time, under budget and over target ($474 million); helped the University confirm the largest cash gift in Canadian history ($105 million) from Michael G. DeGroote; and secured a major $10 million gift to athletics from Ron Joyce.

Previously, Mary worked in the alumni office as Director, Alumni Advancement. As an active volunteer, Mary is currently Past President of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE), and an executive member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District 2 board of directors. Locally, Mary has been a member of the board of directors of the Hamilton YWCA, the Hamilton District Health Council, and Ronald McDonald House. 

Says Mary Williams:

"CCAE has made significant strides in the past two years to become a professionally managed organization that offers exemplary programs to Canadian advancement professionals, with a Board of Directors focused on generative issues and strategic priorities. The result has already been a notable increase in practical and timely professional development programs; very successful national conferences; expanded service to CCAE members across Canada; and a seamless experience for volunteers, who are the backbone of CCAE."