By Renée Hartleib |
Erin Sargeant Greenwood arrived in Halifax in early February, just before a slew of winter storms saw closures across the province. “Although it might have seemed like it, I did not bring the snow from Ontario,” laughs Sargeant Greenwood, the University’s new Vice-President of Advancement.
Born and raised in Central Ontario, in the Kingston area, Sargeant Greenwood completed her undergrad degree in English Literature combined with Business at Wilfrid Laurier University. While there, as a volunteer, she co-founded Laurier’s Student Alumni Association and worked in student recruitment and residence life, among other things. These roles and experiences led her to an Advancement position at Nipissing University right after graduation. “I got an early start in the Advancement field, and consider myself lucky to have been able to move right into my career path from my studies.”
In the years that followed, there were positions at York University, as a consultant for KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.), Branksome Hall, and finally the University of Waterloo for 8 years, where she served first as the Associate Vice-President, Development and then Interim Vice-President, Advancement until coming to Saint Mary’s.
"Erin brings more than 20 years of experience in advancement and not-for-profit management to Saint Mary's," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary's University. “This is a new portfolio for the University and Erin will have an important role to play in advancing the goals and ambitions outlined in our Institutional Strategic Plan.”
In her first few months on the job, Sargeant Greenwood has been hard at work, engaging with the internal Saint Mary’s community, our active alumni community, and external benefactors. She is eager to meet as many Saint Mary’s alumni as possible, and will be travelling to various alumni events over her first year on the job. “I’m keen to engage with all the Saint Mary’s champions out there, hear their stories, and also hear their ideas on how they can help the University achieve its goals.”
In her off time, the new Vice-President of Advancement is also getting to know the new city that she, her husband, and their two sons now call home. “We saw this move as an opportunity to do new and exciting things as a family, and we’ve been having a terrific time so far.” From exploring the city’s wide variety of restaurants to getting out in nature, her family is happily exploring what the community has to offer.
As for her welcome at Saint Mary’s, she was pleased, but not surprised, by the openness and warmth with which she’s been greeted. “I’ve long heard wonderful things about Saint Mary’s and the region in general,” she says. “I’ve been so gratified and energized by the eagerness people are showing in wanting to engage and learn about advancement and about me. It has taken my feelings of optimism and confidence, and elevated them to a whole other level.”
The Office of Advancement at Saint Mary’s University is comprised of its Alumni and Development programs, Advancement Services and Operations, and External Affairs, including institutional communications and community engagement, along with responsibility for the Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery.
