CCAE Director Profile - Macarena Sierra

Macarena Sierra
Director-at-Large
Senior Development Officer
University of Toronto Mississauga

Profile:

Macarena Sierra has worked as an advancement professional at the University of Toronto for the last ten years. She has inhabited a number of different roles since her first position as Campaign Assistant with the Division of University Advancement during U of T’s Great Minds Campaign, which raised $1 billion. Macarena has worked in areas including the annual fund, alumni relations, and events management. Her current position is Senior Development Officer at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

Macarena has also been engaged as a CCAE volunteer over the past six years, serving on the CCAE Board of directors, including as President of the CCAE-Ontario Board – now a Regional Chapter of CCAE. She served on the 2003 Summer Institute planning committee as Materials Chair, was Program Chair for the 2004 Summer Institute, and served on the 2009 Prix D’Excellence Awards Committee.

Says Macarena Sierra:

“I have gained a tremendous amount from my involvement with CCAE. Specifically, I have developed:
– a network of supportive colleagues across educational advancement in Canada
– professional development skills by actively engaging in the great PD events that are offered through CCAE;
– administrative and governance skills through my involvement on board committees;
– a broader understanding of the Canadian landscape—culturally and geographically; and
– a clearer appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing the many educational institutions across the country.

I am excited to be a member of the CCAE National Board and look forward to informing the dialogue that CCAE has with its member institutions. I am enthusiastic to participate in the evolution of the Board from a volunteer-based organization to a governance model, structured to enhance the professional development needs of its members. I hope to help strengthen the PD opportunities offered at the regional level. Finally, I also look forward to exploring new and even better ways to support and inspire our membership, making CCAE the leading organization representing all advancement professionals in Canada.”