Anna Sarr

Background

About Anna Sarr

I am a seasoned fundraising professional among leadership and major gifts prospects, MBA students, young alumni and reunion classes with expertise in Change Management, Community Management and Leading Innovative Engagement Programmes. With more than 15 years’ experience working in a global, dynamic, complex and international environment, I have enjoyed a wide variety of roles and responsibilities ranging from Alumni Relations, the Corporate Partnership and Sponsorship Programme, the Students and Reunion fundraising campaigns. This diverse and rich experience has given me a deep understanding of the education and philanthropic sectors. My responsibilities include the strategic engagement of Deans, Board members and faculties as well as the management of a pipeline of prospects (C-suits and Board levels). My background in business management and experience in cross-cultural settings drives my holistic approach to projects. In addition, my passion for the education sector has incentivized me to delve deeper into the triggers that drive key stakeholders to support mission-driven initiatives. My role to engage our students and young alumni has broadened and became more complex. In the process, I created a new programme for INSEAD called the Young Alumni Initiative (YAI) that is comprised of a dedicated team of alumni ambassadors from around the world who form the backbone of a digital-savvy group of key stakeholders for our fundraising campaigns. The YAI is the outcome of a deep analysis of our alumni services and attentively listening and exchanging with students and alumni prospects. The initiative provides targeted communication for engagement and tailored fundraising opportunities for our recent graduates. It is a joint project and a flagship brand for INSEAD, continuously evolving with the active participation and contribution of more than 100 dedicated ambassadors, and regular exchanges with fellow fundraisers in peer business schools such as HBS and LBS and private organizations like HSBC to keep it relevant. Over the years, I have been regularly approached to onboard, lead, coach, and manage new employees and volunteers, to help them effectively integrate and succeed in their roles. I firmly believe in lifelong learning, in the fact that education and freedom remain the most powerful forces to sustain human values, and for social and business change in Africa, and worldwide. I hold Masters Degrees in Business Administration and in Public and Private Administrations in Africa; and recently completed INSEAD Management Accelerated Programme.