Building Community Through Culture: Amy Dunlop's Story

Amy Dunlop has always believed the best work begins with people.

Whether she's building partnerships, supporting community initiatives, or preserving stories through museums and cultural organizations, she's spent more than two decades creating meaningful connections that make communities stronger.

Looking to build on that experience, Amy enrolled in The Chang School's Certificate in Fundraising Management, where she gained the strategic fundraising skills to help organizations grow and thrive. Today, she's putting those lessons into practice as Manager of Operations and Strategic Initiatives at Woodland Cultural Centre. Her dedication to lifelong learning and community leadership has earned her the Toronto Metropolitan University Gold Medal at The Chang School's Spring 2026 convocation ceremony.

The medal is the university's highest award, presented to students with exceptional academic achievement combined with extraordinary contributions to the life of the university, their professional community and/or the community at large.

We caught up with Amy to learn why community building has been the driving force throughout her career and how The Chang School helped prepare her for the next chapter.

The Chang School: What was your reaction when you learned you had been selected as this year's TMU Gold Medal recipient?

Amy Dunlop: I was genuinely surprised. I've never really received an award before, and working with communities has simply been part of who I am for the past 22 years. Whether as a curator or now as an operations manager, my focus has always been on building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping organizations grow.

Receiving this recognition made me reflect on the people who have supported me throughout my journey. The professors, colleagues, and mentors who wrote letters of support reminded me that giving back to the community has made a meaningful impact. That was incredibly humbling.

CS: Why did you choose The Chang School?

AD: The flexibility was a huge factor. I was able to study online while continuing to work full-time, and I appreciated being able to complete the coursework on my own schedule.

I also found the learning incredibly engaging. The readings were timely and relevant, and I really enjoyed collaborating with classmates through online discussions and team projects. Even though the program was online, I still built meaningful connections with both professors and fellow students.

CS: What inspired you to pursue the Certificate in Fundraising Management?

AD: Fundraising has always been woven into my work, even before I realized it. As a curator, I was building partnerships, securing sponsorships, writing grants, and cultivating relationships with donors through artifact donations. I didn't necessarily think of it as fundraising at the time.

As museums continue to evolve, fundraising and development have become essential to building sustainable organizations. I wanted to better understand the strategy behind those relationships and strengthen the skills I had developed throughout my career. The certificate felt like the natural next step.

CS: What did you enjoy most about your experience at The Chang School?

AD: The biggest takeaway for me was learning to think strategically. One lesson that has stayed with me is the importance of developing fundraising strategies that connect communications, development goals, organizational mission, and community needs.

That's something I apply every day in my work. The program also encouraged me to think critically about fundraising within museums, particularly when working alongside Indigenous communities. Learning how fundraising can support reconciliation, community priorities, and long-term sustainability has had a lasting influence on my career.

CS: How has earning your certificate helped advance your career?

AD: The certificate gave me a much deeper understanding of how fundraising, grant writing, and operational planning work together to create sustainable organizations.

Today, I'm applying those lessons by helping develop fundraising strategies, supporting capital campaigns, and thinking about long-term organizational growth. The program gave me practical tools that I continue to use every day.

CS: Your nomination describes you as a dedicated community builder who is passionate about equity, accessibility, and cultural leadership. Why is community building such an important part of your work?

AD: Community has always been at the heart of museums and cultural organizations. Every collection, exhibition and work of art tells a story, and those stories only have meaning because of the people behind them.

Building relationships has been central to every project I've worked on throughout my career. You can't create meaningful cultural spaces without understanding the communities you serve. When people see themselves reflected in those spaces, they're more likely to become engaged, supportive and connected.

For me, community building is about listening, creating meaningful relationships and ensuring people feel their stories matter.

CS: What's one piece of advice you would give to future Chang School learners?

AD: Be open to new opportunities and don't be afraid to ask questions. Learning isn't about being perfect — it's about being curious and willing to grow.

Take the time to build relationships with your professors, classmates, and community. Apply what you're learning in real situations, learn from your mistakes, and don't be afraid to try something new. Those experiences are what create meaningful learning, and they'll stay with you long after you've finished your certificate.

Learn more about the Fundraising Management Certificate