Leanne Poon was born and raised in Coquitlam, BC. She studied Business Management at Dalhousie University while building her family and career at UBC. With 29 years of experience in development and alumni relations at UBC, Leanne is passionate about creating meaningful relationships and promoting lifelong engagement between alumni, donors, and the university. Colleagues describe Leanne as creative, solution-oriented, caring, and easy to work with.

1. Leanne Poon was born and raised in Coquitlam, BC. She studied
Business Management at Dalhousie University while building her family
and career at UBC. Passionate about creating meaningful, memorable
and outstanding relationships, Alumni and Development relations were
a natural fit as a career choice. Leanne prides herself in being open
minded, adaptable to change with an open communication style.
Leanne loves to be creative and think “outside of the box”. With 29
years of Development and Alumni experience, Leanne is an ardent
supporter of post-secondary education and thrives on connecting
alumni, donors, friends and partners to promote lifelong engagement to
further gifts of time, talent and treasure for the institution. Leanne is
married with three grown daughters who have launched their own
professional careers following their post-secondary studies. Grateful for
the amazing family, friends and relationships, Leanne makes sure that
everyone she connects with feels listened to, appreciated and
welcomed with warmth and respect. In her spare time Leanne enjoys
traveling with her husband, visiting her girls, walking her dogs, and
spending time with family and friends.
What do colleaguessay about Leanne?
1) “Leanne is creative, solution oriented, and a great resource – We
often say call 1-800-ASK-LEANNE, she is generous, caring, kind
and goes out of her way for colleagues, alumni and donors, she
has a good sense of humour and is easy to relate to.” – HN,
Current Colleague
2) “Leanne Poon: most likely to be helping a colleague...lost visitor
on campus, student or stray animal. Leanne has enough heart for the entire campus and you haven't
really had a meeting with Leanne until an animal has been mentioned. She is action oriented and will
get the job done. Leanne is not one to get stuck in her ways and is always open for innovative ideas. Her
open door policy and "sure, let's try it" attitude allows team members to bring ideas and is easily
approachable. She is thoughtful, funny, but professional and gets the job done. She often says it and its
true, Leanne puts the "fun" in fundraising.”- LC, Current Report
3) “Leanne cares deeply about people and listens to understand their needs, perspectives and aspirations,
whether they are donors, community members, students or colleagues. She is a positive person and
combines her knowledge, intuition, humour, and hard work to achieve and celebrate outcomes.” – MN,
Current Colleague
4) Leannebringsher creativity to every aspectof her job – whetherit’s in the small detailsshe executeswith flair or
the big picturethinking thatshe delivers in uniqueand unexpected ways. Sheispassionateabouttheworld of
advancement, and helping peopleachievetheirbest version of themselves – as colleagues,asstudentsand as
donors. – JB,PreviousDirector
Leanne Poon
Creating meaningful and
memorable experiences
through strategic
relationships