The fundraiser who spearheaded one of the North-east of Scotland's biggest and most successful money-making campaigns has joined the University of Aberdeen.
Sharon O' Loan has taken up the post of Deputy Director (Medicine) with the Development and Alumni Relations Office which is part of the Office of External Affairs.
Previously Sharon was Appeal Director with The ARCHIE Foundation, which encouraged the public to raise millions of pounds for the new Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital.
The campaign was so successful it raised £5 million - £2 million more than the original target - to help fund a range of facilities at the hospital.
Sharon's new role will predominantly involve her fundraising for the College of Life Sciences and Medicine. She will be working on a range of projects to enhance medical research and teaching at the University.
Included among these projects are the University's new Child Health Institute of Life and Development (CHILD) which is based at the new Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital; Saving Sight in Grampian, an organisation which has raised more than £1,100,000 in support of the Department of Ophthalmology, which is within the University's Institute of Medical Sciences; and a range of academic posts and projects ranging from diabetes research to international health.
Sharon said: "I am delighted to take up this new challenge at such an exciting time for the University. The projects which we will work on will provide immense benefits for both the local area and internationally. I am very much looking forward to working with a team of talented and dedicated people and helping to take the message for the appeal for funds to donors."
Sharon joins the University at a key time. Lori Manders, Director of External Affairs, said: "Having successfully completed the first phase of the Sixth Century Campaign and raised £47 million, we are now moving into Phase II which will be launched later this year."
She added: "Sharon O'Loan joins our team at a pivotal time and will play a vital role in supporting the academic objectives of the University. Working alongside our academic leaders, her experience in fundraising for medical projects will help drive our ambition for even more success in this area."
