Charles Darwin University’s Business Development portfolio has announced two new appointments to boost its role in philanthropic fund-raising and strategic development with the corporate world.
Serhat Abdurazak takes on the role of Director of Development, bringing to his position 16 years experience in fundraising and strategic consultancy in private schools and universities.
‘The main responsibilities in this new position will be to develop proactive fundraising and major campaign strategies to ensure that the University’s fundraising efforts are professionally managed,’ says Mr Abdurazak.
‘Our goal is to increase income from philanthropic sources by building strong relationships with philanthropic individuals, families, trusts and foundations, business leaders and corporate supporters.’
He will be based in Melbourne three weeks and Darwin for one week of each month. This is a deliberate strategy to operate in the southern states where the majority of philanthropic individuals, foundations and corporate headquarters are based.
Mr Abdurazak’s career began in fund-raising for Mount Scopus College in Melbourne in 1990.
He became Fundraising Consultant with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Development Office, creating and implementing the university’s bequest program.
He later moved to Monash University as its Director of Development, recruiting and managing key staff across fundraising, alumni relations and database management.
Later he joined the management consultancy firm Philanthropy Squared, which specialises in philanthropic services for the non-profit sector.
In 2006 he worked as the Director of Fundraising with the International Diabetes Institute.
Another key appointment is that of Gabrielle Mullen as manager of Business Link, the arm of the Business Development portfolio that deals with contracts for research, consulting and training and a multitude of relationships with the corporate world.
Ms Mullen was previously Senior Project Manager in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
She comes from a background as a senior policy officer and Ministerial advisor at federal and Territory government levels.
For further information about Business Development visit www.cdu.edu.au/businessdevelopment/.