Cara McKeown is Philanthropy Officer, University Programmes at the University of Edinburgh. She works primarily with donors and alumni to fundraise for philanthropic initiatives and scholarships which support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her work supports strategic priorities across the University, including Widening Participation, Student Experience, and Student Sport. Alongside her expertise in Major Gifts, Cara also has several years’ experience in Individual Giving, where she was a member of the University’s telethon fundraising campaign.
Cara has an MA in Social Anthropology and an MSc in Publishing. Her postgraduate research focused on accessibility for the disabled and chronically ill community in industry; a passion which extends into her professional and personal life. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is also a member of her department’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging committee.
With many renowned singers and artists in her family, she is a lover of music in all its forms. She is a ‘theatre kid’ at heart and can often be heard belting songs from Wicked, Hamilton, and other musicals – primarily in the car, the office, and the shower.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking, spin classes, coffee with friends, and painting.