As Cambridge in America’s Chief Development Officer, Sean Moriarty is among a small group of senior leaders who make the crucial decisions that make CAm the successful fundraising entity it is. If there’s a big gift from an esteemed donor, Sean Moriarty — a New Yorker drawn to the city’s theater, music, art, and restaurant scenes and a world traveler — is usually in the room where it happens.
He’s been at CAm for three years; recently, Moriarty reflected on his career journey so far, the challenges of leading fundraising for a world-famous institution from across the pond, and the profound rewards that keep him going.
Did you always want to work in higher education?
That wasn't my original plan. I have a degree in journalism. So, my first job out of school was in advertising, and then I was a reporter for a couple of years in suburban Boston, covering all sorts of small-town meetings and the local police force.
How did your time as a local reporter shape you professionally?
I loved reporting and I realize now that the skills I developed covering the news are applicable to so many aspects of my work. It’s a relationship business. It also teaches you to think about public responsibility and accountability. It was an interesting lesson for a young person, subscribing to the ideals of journalism, storytelling, and truth. We were the source of local news, an active part of the community. So, when I thought about what I wanted to do next, I knew I wanted to be actively involved in societal issues.
Does that carry over into your work at CAm?
Absolutely. This work has far-reaching societal impact. We operate on a global scale here. People who make philanthropic investments in Cambridge are really impacting the world. Whether that's through groundbreaking research or investing in students who are going to be future leaders or future discoverers. The work that we do here helps connect donors to make a difference on a global scale.
What surprised you about working at CAm?
The complexity of the University of Cambridge cannot be overstated. Only one other university in the world deploys a college system the way that we do. What's interesting about the complexity of Cambridge is that it creates opportunities for us at CAm to engage in meaningful ways with our University colleagues. Asking people to help you understand things is also a great way to develop relationships that will advance the work that we do.
What inspires you the most?
Every job has good days and bad days. But, at CAm, even on “non-good” days, we’re still helping young people get a fantastic education at a premiere institution and supporting world class academics in their research. CAm is a high-performing organization of collaborative, talented colleagues. We do great work in support of one of the world's greatest universities. You can’t ask for more than that.