Tara Turner CFRE

Tara Nicole Turner is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and specialist in major gift fundraising and communications. With over 20 years of experience in the social purpose sector, she has expertise in campaign development, foundation and corporate relations, major and principal gifts, and donor recognition and stewardship.

Tara is currently the Deputy Vice-President, Global and Institutional Philanthropy at The University of Queensland where she looks after an international portfolio of major and principal gift relationships across the University. She is a member of UQ's Stretch RAP Working Group and a Trustee of the University of Queensland UK Trust.

Prior to relocating to Australia in 2016, she was a key member of the Leadership Philanthropy team at the Canadian Cancer Society, where she helped to build the major giving program and develop fundraising opportunities for a $2-billion national campaign. Prior to that, Tara helped to raise $200 million to build a new hospital at BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in Vancouver, Canada. 

With a background in Journalism and the Arts, Tara is an international presenter and speaker on philanthropy at conferences in Canada, the US and throughout Asia Pacific. She is past editor/contributor for Speaking of Children magazine, Healthcare Philanthropy Journal and other philanthropic publications. Tara is also a "retired" singer and was a touring musician for 15 years.