Celebrating the Legacy of Catherine Finlayson

The late Catherine Finlayson, Executive Director of the Fanshawe College Foundation and the Advancement & Alumni Office, was a devoted philanthropist, fundraiser and volunteer. Her passion for encouraging student success is reflected in the thousands of students who benefited financially from the scholarships and bursaries created under her leadership.

A proud journalism graduate from Western University, Catherine worked previously at London Life, the Richard Ivey School of Business, London Health Sciences Foundation and KCI Ketchum Canada.

Catherine joined Fanshawe in 2005 and in 2008, she launched the Fanshawe College Foundation where her spirit of collaboration facilitated numerous productive and enduring relationships for the College. Her greatest achievement culminated in 2017 with the successful completion of the Remarkable Campaign with over $110 million raised – the largest college campaign at that time in Ontario history.

In her volunteer role as Chair of the Advancement Committee for Colleges Ontario and as a Director on the board of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE), Catherine was celebrated across the province and Canada for her extensive background in nonprofit organizations, volunteer management and fundraising.

Locally, Catherine served on the boards of the Western University McIntosh Gallery and the Fanshawe College Alumni Association. She also played pivotal roles on the boards of the Museum London Foundation, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre and the McCormick Care Group. Throughout her career, Catherine earned numerous professional honours as a community builder.