Chrissie Bowker

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has announced the appointment of Chrissie Bowker, former publisher of the South Delta Leader, as its new director of development. I have had the great joy of working with Kwantlen’s development office for a number of years – I fund two student awards – and know that she is joining a fantastic team. From the university’s news release:

“Given Chrissie’s passion for building community partnerships and her deep roots in the region we serve, I am very excited to have her join our team,” says Jeff Norris, KPU’s chief advancement officer, and executive director of the university’s foundation and alumni association. “We have a very exciting future ahead of us. It’s crucial KPU has wonderful people like Chrissie to help us respond to the needs of our students.”

In her new role as director of development, Bowker will be accountable for the management of KPU’s major giving programs, including overseeing program goals, implementing university-wide priorities and developing both short- and long-term fundraising strategies. She will also tackle special fundraising projects that will expand KPU’s community outreach, an area Bowker brings much experience to.

While at the South Delta Leader, Bowker launched Project Bloom, an event in support of International Women’s Day. The fundraising component to the project, added in 2012, has raised over $20,000 for local causes. It is now solely dedicated to the Delta Hospital Foundation, where funds will be put towards purchasing lifesaving equipment for women in Delta and its surrounding communities. The event serves as a platform to connect women in business across the lower mainland.

In addition to Project Bloom, Bowker has helped numerous local non-profit organizations with fundraising and awareness campaigns, including the Delta Hospital Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Reach Child Development.

Bowker joins KPU under in the institution’s office of advancement, which oversees the university’s foundation, alumni association, communications and external affairs.