Michelle Fuko
Université Queen’s

Avec soutien par Grenzebach Glier and Associates
How do you recruit top tier fundraising talent in a smaller urban center with soaring house prices and a competitive talent market? You put talent over address, people over place.

In 2021, I was recruited for the role of AVP, Development for Queen’s University. Situated in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University is far enough from large urban centers like Toronto to make it difficult to commute but close enough to be in competition for top tier talent from universities, hospital foundations and the like. My very real concern, during the recruitment process, was the prospect of uprooting my 4 children and make the move from Alberta to Ontario.

Luckily, my decision was made infinitely easier when I learned the VP supported a remote position. The result: I happily accepted the job and have been a permanently remote employee ever since. And I’ve been able to hire outstanding talent to my development leadership team using the same remote philosophy.

But how does it work and what are the challenges? How can development leadership effectively support, manage, and coach a team while located in another province? How can they inculcate themselves into the University culture and build relationships with Deans, portfolio leaders and staff while only being on campus a few times a year? What are the pros and cons of putting people over place? In this 30-minute session, we will explore these questions.