Emily Olson

About Emily Olson

I have spent over two decades on college campuses conducting research, teaching, and gaining professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, and program development. I continue to draw upon this background in my current role as a Director of Grants and Federal Affairs within the higher education practice at McAllister & Quinn. My goal is to collaboratively work with clients to create federal, state, and foundation grant strategies that closely align with their institution’s priorities and goals.In my role at McAllister & Quinn, I have worked with a wide range of IHEs from across the U.S, including public and private universities, community colleges, and institutions with religious affiliations. These partnerships have led to millions of dollars in external funding for clients, from various federal agencies and private foundations, enhancing institutional support and capacity for scholarships, student services, academic programming, equipment, workforce training, and career preparation. Before joining McAllister & Quinn, I worked for over a decade at the Morehead-Cain Foundation, the nation’s first merit scholarship program. During my time at this mission-driven nonprofit, I developed, managed, and expanded innovative programming initiatives that connected an intergenerational community of leaders through lifelong learning and shared experiences. I was also a key member of the fundraising team that helped the organization achieve a $75M capital campaign goal. Prior to Morehead-Cain, I earned a PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with funding from a competitive fellowship awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.My professional journey has given me the opportunity to combine my interests in higher education, research, and project management with my ability to build strong relationships within a diverse community and my desire to support the important work happening on college and university campuses.

Experience

1. Director of Grants and Federal Affairs, Higher Education Practice

   McAllister & Quinn

   Jul 2024 — Present

   McAllister & Quinn is a federal and foundation grants consulting and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. The firm offers its 200+ clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. Since 2004, McAllister & Quinn has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in competitive grant funding for scholarships and student support, academic programs, research, and equipment.As a Director of Grants and Federal Affairs in the higher education practice, my goal is to work collaboratively with small and mid-size institutions to research, develop, plan, and execute an annual grant seeking strategy focused on increasing and diversifying external funding.

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis

  Master of Arts (M.A.), Art History and Archaeology

  2007 — 2009

• University of Arizona

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Anthropology and Classics

  2003 — 2006

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Art History

  2009 — 2013

Skills

• Art
• Research
• Art Exhibitions
• Collection Development
• Writing
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Microsoft Word
• Library
• Anthropology
• Museum Education
• Event Planning
• Alumni Relations
• Museums
• Community Outreach
• History
• Art History
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Curating
• Archives
• Grant Writing
• Fundraising
• Cataloging
• Museum Collections
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Teaching