New Assistant Dean Advancement Begins Strategic Leadership Role at Bloomberg Nursing

12 February 2013

Bloomberg Nursing is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne Heft to the role of Assistant Dean, Advancement.  An expert in the advancement field, with over 20 years of experience beginning with the Central Advancement Department of the University of Toronto, Ms. Heft brings a wealth of expertise and proven results to this position.

“I am thrilled to welcome an advancement professional with Suzanne’s experience and accomplishments to our Faculty,” said Dean Sioban Nelson.  “I am confident she will lead a team that will surpass our goals and achieve a new benchmark nationally and internationally for fundraising in nursing.”

During her time at University of Toronto in the early nineties, Ms. Heft became the Director, Annual Giving and oversaw the University’s direct mail and telemarketing programs.  In 1999 she left to work at Upper Canada College where she developed and managed the Major Gifts and Advancement Communications portfolio, and over the next 12 years she progressed to the position of Associate Vice Principal, Advancement.  In this role, Ms. Heft was a senior leader for a historic $100 million campaign in support of needs-based student financial aid, capital projects and program endowment.  More recently, she has been an independent fundraising consultant worked with a variety of clients in health care, education and social services.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Heft has been working with U of T Nursing since November 2012 on a collaborative fundraising campaign with key partners within the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network that will enable Bloomberg Nursing to expand the depth and breadth of nursing research in Canada.  Stepping into the leadership role in the advancement office, Ms. Heft will steer the department, and overall campaigns, beginning February 11, 2013.