Gillian Morrison receives 2026 CCAE Outstanding Achievement Award

Published: April 24, 2026

Gillian Morrison, assistant vice-president, university development at U of T, has received the 2026 Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) Outstanding Achievement Award.

The award recognizes a current or recent CCAE member who has made extraordinary contributions to the field of educational advancement over several years.

“I’m deeply honoured to be recognized with the 2026 Outstanding Achievement Award,” Morrison said. “Many previous recipients are colleagues who have inspired me along my journey. It’s humbling to join them as an honouree and to have been nominated by colleagues and donors whom I hold in such high esteem.”

Morrison joined U of T in 2009 as assistant vice-president, divisional relations and campaigns. She helped lead the Boundless campaign, which raised a record-breaking $2.641 billion by the time it closed in 2018, and today she helps drive the Defy Gravity campaign, which is on track to raise $4 billion and engage 250,000 alumni one million times collectively.

“Gillian’s leadership has helped shape, launch and drive two historic, precedent-setting fundraising campaigns that have transformed U of T through record-setting results, establishing a new high-water mark for fundraising in Canada,” said David Palmer, vice-president, advancement at U of T, and a previous recipient of the award. “She plays an important role in cultivating and sustaining the university’s relationships with donors and volunteers, and there is no greater testament to her success than the consistent willingness of our most generous donors to deepen their commitment.”

Morrison has also volunteered her time and expertise in the advancement sector, including serving as a past CCAE board chair and as the current co-lead of the CCAE Development for Deans program.

She will receive her award at the CCAE National Conference in Vancouver on April 30.