Development Staff Biographies
Alumni & Development Operations
Julie Forster - Head of Individual Giving
Julie joined the University in January 2011 to lead the Individual Giving Team in support of the University’s 600th anniversary celebrations.
Previously Julie was Director of Development and Alumni Relations with Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh following time as Major Donor Manager with UNICEF. Julie was also Fundraising Manager at Queen’s University, Belfast during the university’s successful £150 million fundraising campaign.
Julie has over 15 years’ experience in advising and helping donors to support their chosen causes, predominantly the advancement of education. She has worked with donors and alumni groups around the world including North America, Scandinavia, Hong Kong and Dubai.
Louise Taylor - Head of Development Operations
Louise joined the University as a Development Officer in 1998 after spending four years in student recruitment at the University of Abertay and prior to that working in sales and marketing with Scottish & Newcastle in Edinburgh. In January 2008 she assumed overall responsibility for the core functions of the Development Office including alumni relations, annual giving, legacies, and all operational functions including the Raiser's Edge database, budgets, gift administration and donor stewardship. In January 2010 Louise was appointed to the post of Clerk to the General Council, a role she carries out along side her main Development activities. She is a law graduate of the University of Edinburgh where she also gained a postgraduate diploma in legal studies.
Rachel Alexander - Development Officer (Legacy & Memorial Giving)
Rachel joined the University in 2011 and works with graduates, friends, their families and their advisors to facilitate testamentary gifts and memorial funds in favor of the University.
Prior to returning to Scotland, Rachel worked at the University of Ulster setting up a new Accounting and Law degree. Rachel is a dually qualified solicitor in Scots law and Northern Irish law specialising in private client law advising on drafting wills and living wills, trust creation and administration, estate administration, powers of attorney and guardianship orders, charity and taxation law.
Fraser Anderson - Development Administrator (Individual Giving)
Fraser has been working in the Development Office since May 2010, having completed a law degree at the University of Glasgow and the diploma in legal practice at Dundee University. Working within the Individual Giving team, Fraser is responsible for a wide range of administrative tasks and is also involved in the promotion of the University’s 600th Anniversary Campaign.
Katie Anderson - Development Assistant (Events)
Katie began working for the Development Office in February 2012 and assists with the University’s 600th Anniversary events programme. After graduating from the University of Dundee in 2010 with a joint degree in History and Geography, Katie worked for VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation, first in their Information Centre in St Andrews and then within their Communications team in the Edinburgh head office.
Sunil Bellur - Development Assistant (Stewardship)
Sunil joined the Development team in January 2012. His main responsibility is to process all of the philanthropic income received by the Development Office, ensuring it is correctly recorded on our database and that donors are acknowledged appropriately. Prior to joining the University of St Andrews, his business development background saw him provide services to the Scottish Government, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and the London (2012) Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
Yvonne Bishop - Database Assistant
Yvonne joined the Development Office in October 1999. She is responsible for the data administration of the Raiser's Edge and the on-line Alumni Web Services databases. Her duties are wide and varied and are vital to the fundraising, event and alumni relation activities of the unit. These duties include: ensuring that all the records on our graduates, honorary graduates, academic staff and external contacts held on both databases is up to date; providing the data, and creating and maintaining an audit trail for all the unit mailings i.e. the various publication and fundraising mailings; providing the data for the General Council Register and associated mailings; administration of the membership of the Alumni Web Services and dealing with any queries the users may have about the services provided.
Emma Bright – Alumni Relations Officer
Emma joined the University in June 2010 from the University of Oxford Alumni Office.
She has particular responsibility for managing the Family Programme, expanding alumni networks in the UK and abroad, supporting alumni volunteers and managing UK and overseas alumni club events. She is particularly keen to increase levels of engagement amongst current students and recent graduates and looks forward to involving these groups in the University’s 600th Anniversary celebrations.
Emma holds a BA in Modern Languages (French) from the University of Oxford.
Greer Burchett - Development Assistant
After a career in travel and tourism both here and Austria including a year in the University Travel Office, Greer has returned to the University working as a Development Assistant. She is mainly involved in data entry on the Raiser's Edge database and providing clerical support for the unit.
Elaine Cartwright - Alumni Relations Officer
Elaine Cartwright has worked at the University for more than 20 years, first as a Secretary/Executive Assistant in the Principal's Office, later as Personal Assistant to the Director of Development and, since November 2003, as Alumni Relations Officer. Elaine enjoys the opportunities afforded by her current role to interact with fellow alumni, assisting them to keep in touch with each other and with the University. She has responsibility for the Annual Reunion Programme, the Family Programme, annual events such as the Parents' Receptions, Bejant Receptions and the Alumni Carol Service, as well as working closely with alumni clubs throughout the world and with the University's Schools and Units on alumni-related matters. Elaine also assists with General Council matters and serves as Secretary of the General Council's Committee of Alumnus Association. Together with Lesley Lind, the University's Publications Manager, Elaine co-edits the annual alumni magazine, The Alumnus Chronicle.
A St Andrews graduate, Elaine gained an MA Honours degree in Hispanic Languages and Literature in 1985 and was also awarded a BA Honours degree in Psychology by the Open University in 1994.
Scott Deans - Development Assistant (Database & Website)
Scott joined the Development Office in August 2011. Prior to this Scott worked in the voluntary sector for CraigOwl Communities in Dundee, providing IT and employability training to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He also worked as an Analytical Chemist for Scottish & Newcastle Breweries. Scott’s role involves database / website management and development and also user support.
Scott holds a BSc with Honours in Computing from the Open University and is a graduate of The Royal Society of Chemistry. He is also a Microsoft Certified Trainer.
Sandra Doherty - Alumni Relations Assistant
Sandra joined the University in January 2005 after working almost 8 years in the Paper Industry. As part of the Alumni Team, Sandra is involved in all aspects of University life affecting alumni, such as alumni clubs, the reunion weekend, the parents' receptions and the alumni carol service, along with other alumni events. Sandra is responsible for the Link Newsletter, and the day to day running of the Family Programme, which includes the very popular Love From Home Service. Sandra is a graduate of the University of Abertay Dundee, with an honours degree in Business Studies.
Susan Donald - Development Administrator
Susan became part of the Development Team in December 2003 as Personal Assistant to the Director, after initially joining the University in 2001 to work in Human Resources. Now in the role of Development Administrator, Susan supports the operational and donor relation functions of the unit. This involves areas such as gift administration, office procedures, budgets and stewardship of scholarships, including the administration relating to the Ransome Trust Scholarships. The Ransome Trust is a non-profit scholarship organisation in support of the University of St Andrews. She is the first port of call for advice and information for the scholars. The duties of her role are varied offering Susan the opportunity to be involved in most aspects of the Development Office's remit, and the chance to meet the wide variety of people - University staff, alumni and donors - who contact the Development Office.
Suzanne Duff - Development Assistant
Audrey Dyce - Event Co-ordinator (600th Anniversary)
Fiona Eason - Development Assistant (Legacies & Trusts)
Fiona joined the Development Team in 2011, having recently relocated to Scotland following a few years living in St Louis, Missouri. Fiona originally hails from the southern shores of New Zealand and finds the St Andrews coastal landscape comfortingly familiar. Prior to joining the Development Team Fiona was a teacher of Drama and English in New Zealand and the UK and she also worked in Boarding Education in Yorkshire. Fiona’s role involves administrative tasks related to Trust fundraising and Legacy giving. Fiona is also responsible for Memorial Prizes and provides the administrative support for the Russell Trust Development and Postgraduate awards.
Sheena Garden - Events Officer
Sheena joined the Development Office in June 2010 as Events Officer, her main responsibility is for a programme of events in support of the University's 600th anniversary campaign. She previously worked for Historic Scotland researching, planning and delivering a variety of public, family and community events all across Scotland. Sheena has an honours degree in History from the University of Glasgow and a masters degree from the University of Edinburgh.
Kurstin Finch Gnehm - Development Officer (Annual Giving)
Kurstin Finch Gnehm joined the Development Office in 2010 as a development officer for annual giving, where she manages the annual phone campaigns, direct mail projects and reunion fundraising. Previously, she worked as Director of Advancement Services and Director of Annual Giving for Linfield College, and as Technology and Communications Manager for the Battered Women's Justice Project, both located in the U.S. Kurstin holds a B.A. with honours in Sociology from Linfield College, an M.A. in Communications from Oregon State University and an M.A. in Women's Studies from the University of Iowa.
Varan Houghton - Development Administrator (Stewardship)
Varan joined Development in February 2009. She is responsible for stewarding the University’s donors, and works with the Scholarship Office to administer the Wardlaw Scholarships.
Varan is originally from Cape Town, but grew up in the UK. She is a Mediaeval History alumna (MA 2006, M.Litt 2007), and spent several years working for the University's Residence and Business Services before taking up her position in the Development Team.
Jonathan Livingstone - Publications Officer, Special Projects
Jonathan has been a member of the Development Office since 2001. His primary responsibility is to develop a suite of online and printed publications to celebrate the University’s 600th Anniversary. Previous responsibilities have included prospect research and raising funds from charitable trusts and foundations. Prior to joining the University, he worked for many years in the arts and educational sectors as a writer, exhibition curator and lecturer. Jonathan holds degrees in Russian from the University of Edinburgh and Arts Management from City University, London.
Sophie Mackenzie - Development Administrator (Annual Giving)
Sophie joined the Development team in November 2008. She is responsible for assisting with phone campaigns, direct mail and student fundraising through the Class Gift, performing a variety of administrative tasks. Prior to joining Development, Sophie worked at Edinburgh Castle in the Admissions team. She is a graduate of University of Abertay Dundee, with an honours degree in Tourism.
Rhoda McIntire - Development Officer (Research)
Rhoda joined St Andrews in August 2010 from Edinburgh Napier University. Prior to moving to Scotland in 2007, she worked at Queen’s University Belfast for nearly five years as the sole development researcher for the University’s £150 million capital campaign. Originally from the USA (Portland, Oregon), she is a graduate of Northwestern University. In addition to research, she enjoys live music, the outdoors, travel, strong coffee and books.
Elisabeth Maguire - Development Assistant (Research)
Elisabeth joined the University in 2009 as a research assistant. She is responsible for identifying potential donors and conducting research for the Development Team. Previously, Elisabeth worked in development at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and at the NGO, Food & Water Watch in Washington DC. She relocated to St Andrews to read for an MLitt in Museum and Gallery Studies, which she completed in 2010. Elisabeth also holds a BA in International Studies and Government from Colby College in the US.
Phil Pass - Golf Co-ordinator
Phil joined the Development office in September 2011 to work on a range of special projects relating to the University’s links to the game of golf. His key task is to oversee the successful running of a major three-day golf tournament in July 2013, with an associated programme of social and academic events showcasing the wide range of things the University can, and does, engage in.
Prior to this, Phil served as the Director of Events and Services at the Students’ Association in St Andrews – a sabbatical position representing the student body – as the first DoES to be in the role for the maximum 2-year period. Whilst at ‘the Union’, Phil was responsible for all aspects of commercial life and particularly the activities of Freshers’ Week and the Graduation Ball. He was also heavily involved in the St Andrews Wedding Breakfast event which took place in St Salvator’s Quadrangle as a town/gown event to mark the Royal Wedding. Having graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Joint-Honours MA in Geography & Management in 2009, Phil has an extensive knowledge of the town and has also worked with the Careers Centre and the Byre Theatre. He is particularly keen to ensure that the students of the University experience a raft of opportunities and benefits from the 600th Anniversary.
Eleanor Porter - Development Officer (Individual Gifts)
Eleanor joined the University in August 2006. Previous to her appointment as Development Officer, she was employed as National Events Manager with Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. Prior to this she was Deputy Chief Reporter with the Fife Free Press Group. Eleanor's post involves working with major supporters of the University to ensure that St Andrews can continue to develop and grow. Eleanor holds an honours degree in Politics and English from the University of Strathclyde.
Mairi Robertson - Personal Assistant to the Director of Development
Mairi joined the Development Team in March 2009 to support the Director of Medical Fundraising and the Legacy & Stewardship Officer, and in April 2010 took on the role of PA to the Director of Development. Prior to joining the University, Mairi’s most recent role was with NHS Fife as Project Administrator for the new St Andrews Community Hospital project team. She has also been Administrator for Scotland's Hotels of Distinction; PA to the Chairman of The Drambuie Liqueur Company, and Personal Secretary to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourist Board (now Visit Scotland).
Neil Tolland - Database & IT Manager
Neil joined the unit in August 2002. Previous to this, he was employed as a Database Officer at QMUC in Edinburgh. He is responsible for day-to-day running of the unit's IT systems (e.g. domain server / web server / database administration and maintenance, user support, etc) and provides targeted data for various telephone and direct mailing campaigns.
Neil is also responsible for the annual production / publication of the General Council Register. He develops / administers various client-server and data-driven web applications (e.g. online giving, online voting, web services, sponsor an artefact, lost alumni directory, etc). Cross-unit project involvement is also part of his role (e.g. email forwarding for alumni, careers alumni network). He instigated the University's first online alumni community with the implementation of the Alumni Web Services. Neil holds an honours degree in Psychology and a post-graduate masters in Applied Computing, both from the University of Dundee.
Caroline Wallard - Development Officer (Trusts & Foundations)
Caroline Wallard graduated from St Andrews in History in 1999. Having worked in corporate marketing and alumni relations, she returned to St Andrews in 2004 as Annual Giving Officer. Since 2011 she has worked with Trusts and Foundations.
Amanda Wares - Alumni Relations Assistant
Prior to joining the Development Team, Amanda was PA to the Director of Student Services at Elmwood College in Cupar. Her wide & varied career pattern began in Birmingham as Regional Assistant to the Regional & Awards Secretary of the Royal Institute of British Architects, West Midlands Region followed by a PA role in the family firm of "Price & Oliver Ltd", high quality architectural ironmongers for over 70 years, founded by her Grandfather.
In 2005 Amanda took the opportunity of a year's work on the Costa Calida in Spain as PA to the Director of "The Spanish Affair" selling property & organising exhibitions, (over 300 days of sunshine per year was so tough!) On her return Amanda worked for the Operations Director of the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership, assisting in events planning and organisation.
Amanda is also a former aerobics and aqua aerobics instructor and now teaches yoga locally. She has welcomed the challenge of becoming part of the Development team at this exciting time in the St Andrews calendar.