Paul D. McNair

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Paul D. McNair (b. May 13, 1959) of Halifax, Nova Scotia is an award-winning Canadian in Canada's nonprofit sector. Primarily, he is known for establishing the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in Canada^[1] and was named Outstanding Professional Fundraising Executive by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2006^[2]. He currently serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Nova Scotia Chapter.

1 Biography
2 Career
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Biography

Born and raised in Halifax, McNair received his schooling at Burton Ettinger Elementary School, St. Andrew's Jr. High, and Halifax West High School. In 1977, he received the Birk's Medal for outstanding contribution to school affairs and the Soroptimist Youth Citizenship Award for contribution to the community. McNair attended Mount Saint Vincent University from 1977 to 1981, and was elected the first male student union President in the University's history. He received the President's Prize in 1981^[3].

[edit] Career

Serving as the Executive Director for the Friends of the Citadel Society, McNair gained reputation for outstanding management skills in the nonprofit sector taking the organization from a grassroots level to a national award-winning society. He then became the first Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia and the Executive Director of AIDS Nova Scotia. Special events coordinated by McNair captured local, regional and national awards during this time including recognition by the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia and the National Association of Cooperating Associations.

In 1990, McNair left Halifax to join the Farha Foundation in Montreal, Canada's first private AIDS foundation founded by Ron Farha, former President of Linda Lingerie. Between 1992 and 1997, McNair worked for the Kingston Symphony, Big Sisters of Ottawa and the Ottawa General Hospital. In 1997, he moved to Victoria, British Columbia to join the Camosun College Foundation^[4]. Heading the Foundation's private sector campaign to restore the College's historic Young Building, McNair was recognized by the Canadadian Council for the Advancement of Education for 25 years in the industry.

In 2006, McNair completed his course work for his Masters in Philanthropy & Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona^[5].

The Parkinson Society Maritime Region named McNair Executive Director in 2003.^[6]. In 2006 McNair was awarded the "Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award" by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Nova Scotia^[7]. He was also named President Elect of the organization.

McNair has served on the Board of Governors of Mount Saint Vincent University, Open Space Gallery Victoria, Metro Volunteer Resource Centre, National Association of Cooperating Associations, Victoria Dance Series, and numerous other organizations. He currently serves on the Natal Day Committee^[8] of the Halifax Regional Municipality[1] .