Barry Wilding (left), chief development officer for York’s Office of the Vice-President, Students, including the Division of Sport and Recreation, was recently awarded the Rising Star Award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).
The CCAE represents more than 170 post-secondary institutions in Canada and is committed to fostering excellence in institutional advancement. This award recognizes fundraising professionals early in their careers who display exceptional talent and outstanding achievement.
“Barry takes great pride in his work, ensuring York is represented professionally at all times,” says Paul Marcus, president and CEO of the York University Foundation. “We congratulate him for receiving this important recognition from his peers.”
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Above: From left, Brian Soucie (Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement); Ryan Rodrigues (CCAE Rising Star Award); Janina Crysdale (Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement); Barry Wilding (CCAE Rising Star Award); Carly Handel (Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement); David Emerson (CCAE Rising Star Award)
Wilding began his career in fundraising by volunteering for the Student Alumni Association at Wilfrid Laurier University, while pursuing a double major in political science and geography.
“It is rare that one finds a student so enthusiastic,” says Shelley Pooley, Wilding’s former advisor at Laurier. “He was 100 per cent committed to our student alumni association and his dedication was apparent in every event he was involved in.”
Following graduation, Wilding worked as a fundraising coordinator for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. He contributed to a 22 per cent increase in revenues for the society. Later, he helped restructure alumni relations and more than double alumni involvement in the University College Alumni Association at the University of Toronto. He joined York University in 2003.
While at York, Wilding has initiated fundraising efforts to generate support for the University’s student activities. He is involved in awards, sport and recreation and student services. This includes: the recruitment of volunteers; cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of both new and existing donors to the University; and the creation of various major gift proposals and presentations.
“We are incredibly lucky to have someone of Barry’s quality working on behalf of York students,” says Bonnie Neuman, vice-president students. “This award confirms what we already know: Barry has talent, integrity, professionalism and an extraordinary commitment to making York a better and more accessible place for our students.”