The Advancement Leadership Awards were created to acknowledge and profile extraordinary talent and the exemplary leadership of individuals whose contributions have been vital to the success of advancement at U of T.
For more details about this award, contact Tania John Pihl at Advancement Talent Management.
Recipients of the 2026 Advancement Leadership Awards, with David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement.
Left to Right: David Palmer, Nia Morrison and Selina Esteves.
Left to Right: David Palmer and Nazerit Hagos.
Advancement Rising Leader Award
The Advancement Rising Leader Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional performance and leadership potential within their role. This person embodies the Advancement Values of authentic collaboration, a grateful mindset, driving impact, intentional inclusion, and trust and transparency. They have achieved significant milestones in their role and consistently go above and beyond to support and inspire their colleagues.
(This award category is for nominees who generally have 2-10 years of progressive experience.)
2026 Recipient:
Nia Morrison, Interim Director, Advancement, University College
2025 Recipient:
Unspecified
2024 Recipients:
Amy Hopkins, Associate Director, Leadership and Annual Giving, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Brandon Carter, Senior Development Officer, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
2023 Recipients:
Mel Fradley-Pereira, Manager, Prospect Management, Division of University Advancement
Tania Donald, Senior Development Officer, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
2021 Recipients:
Gary Bhanot, Senior Web Developer, Division of University Advancement
Danny Velev, Business Intelligence Solutions Architect, Division of University Advancement
2020 Recipients:
Deirdre R. Gomes, M.Ed., Associate Director, Donor Relations, Office of Advancement, Rotman School of Management
Giselle Arsenault, Director, Global Alumni Engagement and Inter-portfolio Initiatives, Alumni Relations, Divisions of University Advancement
2019 Recipients:
Glenn Best, Associate Director, Major Gifts, Division of University Advancement
Matt Willis, Senior Development Officer, Faculty of Law
Advancement Motivational Leader Award
The Advancement Motivational Leader Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional skills in motivating and inspiring their team/colleagues to achieve outstanding performance. They are not only a high performer in their own role but play a pivotal role in supporting and uplifting their team members/colleagues. They consistently serve as a role model by living the Advancement Values of authentic collaboration, a grateful mindset, driving impact, intentional inclusion, and trust and transparency. Through their actions they lead with influence, passion, and integrity, making a significant impact for their team. This individual may or may not have staff reporting to them directly.
(This award category is for nominees who generally have 10+ years of progressive experience.)
2026 Recipient:
Nazerit Hagos, Director, Annual and Leadership Giving Individual Engagement, DUA
2025 Recipients:
Susan Fine, Director, Alumni Programs & Services, Division of University Advancement
Emma Nguyen, Executive Director, Digital Marketing & Communications, Advancement Communications & Marketing
2024 Recipient:
Lindsay Manning, Senior Director of Development, Rotman School of Management
2023 Recipient:
Heather McLean, Director of Development, Faculty of Arts & Science
2021 Recipient:
Gabrielle Dang, Director of Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Advancement Distinguished Leader Award
The Advancement Distinguished Leader Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates high performance and impact through a sustained track record of success, and who consistently leads by example by living the Advancement Values of authentic collaboration, a grateful mindset, driving impact, intentional inclusion, and trust and transparency. They demonstrate visionary and empowering leadership and motivate their team to achieve outstanding results, with an impact beyond their department/unit.
(This award category is for nominees who generally have 15+ years of progressive experience.)
2026 Recipient:
Selina Esteves, Director, Advancement, Faculty of Dentistry
2025 Recipient:
Artur Cane, Executive Director, Principal Gifts, Division of University Advancement
2024 Recipient:
Heather Ullman, Executive Director, Annual and Leadership Giving and Senior Lead, Special Projects and Innovation, Division of University Advancement
2023 Recipient:
Michelle Osborne, Executive Director, Gift Planning, Division of University Advancement
2021 Recipient:
Beth McCarthy, Executive Director, Divisional Relations, Division of University Advancement
2020 Recipient:
Humberto C. Ferreira, Director, Information Management, Advancement Services, Division of University Advancement
2019 Recipient:
Darina Landa, Executive Director, Advancement, Faculty of Medicine
Note: The Advancement Leadership Awards were not distributed in 2022.
U of T Outstanding Advancement Awards
The first iteration of these awards was called the Outstanding Advancement Award. The inaugural recipients were awarded the Outstanding Advancement Achievement Award in 2018. The awards were presented to two Advancement staff members for significant achievement in their role, as demonstrated by their creation of new and impactful initiatives, or innovative program enhancements, or by defining or advancing best practices in their field, that lead to the achievement of significant divisional or institutional goals.
2018 Recipients:
Devika Ramcharan, Director, Prospect Management, Division of University of Advancement
Jennifer Lancaster, Assistant Dean, Advancement, Faculty of Law