Marilyn MacKenzie is a well-known author, trainer and consultant in Canada with over 25 years in the field of volunteer management. She coordinated The Fundamentals of Volunteer Management for eight years at Humber College and went on to become the only Canadian faculty member at the Volunteer Management Program at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She has written five books: Dealing with Difficult Volunteers, The Volunteer Development Toolbox, Curing Terminal Niceness, The Group Member’s Handbook, and Building Credibility with the Powers that Be.
MacKenzie has offered training workshops and consulting services across Canada and the United States and has been recognized for her contributions to the profession by the Association of Volunteer Administration with the Distinguished Service Award, and by the Ontario Association of Volunteer Administration with the Volunteer of the Year Award. She has served her profession as a member of the Board, Chair of the Education Committee, member of the transition team the created PAVR-O, and has participated in the development of the Standards of Practice for PAVR-O. She currently serves on the board of The Council of Certification in Volunteer Administration and chaired the committee that developed the Body of Knowledge for the organization.
MacKenzie has served as a direct service volunteer, Board member and staff in a wide range of voluntary sector agencies with her most recent employment as Director of Volunteer Resources at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. In retirement, her work has focused on engaging volunteers within faith communities as a volunteer facilitator for the Anglican Church of Canada, and Diocese of Toronto, Fresh Start Program.
MacKenzie divides her time between Toronto and Vancouver.