Headshot of Kate Wilson, VP of the Office of Advancement, wearing glasses and a suit in front of a building.

Kate Wilson

Vice-Principal, Office of Advancement

People Directory Affiliation Category

Kate Wilson joined Queen’s University on September 1 from the University of Cambridge, where she served as CEO of the Centre for Better Futures. Offered through Cambridge’s Institute for Continuing Education, the inaugural Better Futures Programme launched in September 2025 connecting experienced global leaders passionate about positive societal impact with the expertise and resources of the University and its colleges. 


Wilson began her career in Canada as a fundraising consultant after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s in 1986. She later joined the Queen’s Advancement team to lead annual giving and advancement services, serving the university from 1991 to 1994.


In 1996, she earned her MBA from Harvard Business School before relocating to the U.K., where she built her career in telecommunications and media. In 2012, she joined the University of Cambridge as Chief Operating Officer for Development and Alumni Relations. In that role, Wilson managed the £2-billion “Dear World… Yours, Cambridge” philanthropic campaign, professionalized and expanded the advancement team and its operations, and partnered with the university’s 31 colleges to strengthen fundraising and alumni engagement.


She went on to serve as CEO of RegGenome, a research spin-out from Cambridge Judge Business School, and later as Director at IMAGINE, where she led programming to build community and promote positive impact among global system leaders. During her time at Cambridge, she worked with leaders across disciplines, institutes, centres, departments, and colleges to refine strategy, manage partnerships, and maximize funding and impact.


Throughout her career, Wilson has maintained close ties to Queen’s, serving on University Council and the External Relations and Development Committee of the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2022.