With over 15 years of experience leading volunteers in local, provincial and National organizations, Erin McLean, MA, CVA, currently holds the position of Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement at Trails Youth Initiatives, a role that she loves. Each day she is energized and challenged by the opportunity to develop and implement best practices in Volunteer Engagement while partnering for impact and growing relationships with dedicated and passionate alumni and community volunteers.
McLean is extremely honoured and very grateful to be recognized within the profession for her contributions to the field of Volunteer Engagement (highlighted by an Impact Award and the Linda Buchanan Award). Obtaining her CVA designation in 2024 was a professional milestone she set for herself to prove that commitment and experience in the profession of Volunteer Engagement could translate to not only a professional designation but to opening up a brand new network of peers to learn from and collaborate with.
One of her favourite things about being a Leader of Volunteers is contributing to relationship-building and community partnerships. McLean’s love for connecting with people and advancing her learning has driven her professional pursuits, as well as her volunteer work. She has been involved with her local and provincial volunteer associations and is thrilled to currently be contributing to the board of VMPC (Volunteer Management Professional of Canada) and the editorial team of Engage. What McLean loves about both of these roles is that they help her further contribute to the growth of the volunteering profession and offer the opportunity to connect with peers in a variety of ways.
When McLean is not working or volunteering, she loves to travel and explore new places while learning new things and eating delicious food! She likes it best when she gets to share these experiences with her husband and daughter or close family and friends. McLean is an avid sports fan and dog-mom, and she usually has more than one book on the go. Her favourite season is winter, but her favourite activity is swimming in a lake, and she's always up for an impromptu dance party.
