At SearchSmart, we believe that career paths are rarely straight lines—they’re shaped by values, timing, and the people who help us find our way. We’re proud to have placed Mike den Haan at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine—an opportunity that launched a meaningful career in education advancement.
We caught up with Mike recently to talk about what he’s learned along the way—from billion-dollar campaigns to turtles in Belize.
SearchSmart: Mike, you’ve been in the education advancement world for quite some time now, —how did U of T influence your path?
Mike: That role at U of T Medicine was pivotal. It wasn’t just a job—it felt like a launchpad. I was stepping into one of the most complex environments in Canadian education: 10 hospital partners, billion-dollar fundraising goals, and a culture of excellence. It taught me how to navigate a large, matrix organization and deliver results under pressure. I also fell in love with principal gift fundraising, learned the skills of building a high-performance team, and discovered what was most important in the midst of it all.
SearchSmart: And yet, after seven years there, you made a change. What prompted that?
Mike: After my time at U of T, I went to the University of Waterloo to experience a more centralized role (broader leadership scope) in a university with a very focused brand. From there, I moved to Simon Fraser University to take on the senior advancement role—a move that would be the culmination of everything I’d been working toward. It was also a chance for my family to experience the West Coast.
But real life is always more complex. The transition to B.C. was tougher than we expected—especially for my son and my partner. And for me, it became a time of deep reflection.
I began asking harder questions—not just about career progression, but about pace, purpose, and the kind of life we wanted to build. Being in Vancouver also re-ignited my interest in the environment. The access to the outdoors reminded me how much nature grounds me in important ways.
That clarity eventually led us back to Ontario—and to Lakehead. It’s a smaller, more regional university with a top global ranking the SDG rankings (Times Higher Ed Impact Rankings). The work feels grounded. The ripple effects of education are just as real—whether in a big city or a smaller community. It’s reminded me that leadership isn’t just about where you are, but how and why you show up.
SearchSmart: That sounds like a full-circle realization.
Mike: Exactly. And it mirrors my personal life. My son’s now at Lakehead studying commerce in a dual degree program with the University of Rennes (France) where he’ll spend a year as part of the program. He took a gap year after high school where he experienced an internship in Stockholm Sweden and while he loves travel; he also loves coming home. Moving back to Ontario, closer to our Simcoe County roots, felt like coming home for all of us.
Search Smart: You’ve talked before about this shift in how you define success. Can you say more about that?
Mike: For years, I chased the traditional metrics: title, salary, influence. It’s what many of us are conditioned to do and they are important. At the same time, after 20 years in leadership roles, I felt that a successful career and my role in building better futures needed to start with my sense of purpose. I think I needed some reminding of the big question: why am I here and what am I here (on this earth) to do?
Reading Viktor Frankl was a turning point. He talks about the space between stimulus and response—that’s where our power lies. I try to live in that space now. That means staying grounded, checking in with my values regularly, and surrounding myself with people who hold me accountable to what really matters.
Search Smart: What does that look like in practice?
Mike: Every year, I revisit a personal life plan and my values. I do it with others—including through groups like CCAE and other learning communities. Doing this work in isolation is impossible. I’ve also had an executive coach for 20 years. A good coach doesn’t give you answers—they hold up a mirror. That’s what allows you to grow and stay true to yourself.
Search Smart: You’ve also taken some steps outside of traditional advancement. Tell us about that.
Mike: One of the most meaningful pivots has been joining the board of Ecology Project International. It’s an organization that connects students with scientists to do hands-on conservation work in some of the world’s most important ecological hotspots (Costa Rica, Mexico, Montana (USA), Belize, Galapagos). It’s about pairing sustainability with local prosperity—and it’s opened my eyes to the power of experiential education.
It also reconnects me to that part of myself that needs to follow my ‘purpose’ and core values.
Search Smart: If you could go back and give your younger self some advice, what would you say?
Mike: I’d tell him to take more risks with himself. Be more honest. Pay attention to both what drains you and what gives you life. I don’t have regrets—the steps I took all made sense at the time—and I’ve learned that career growth doesn’t mean letting go of your core purpose. In fact, the more you rise, the more you need to stay grounded in values and purpose.
Leadership, for me, used to be about excellence and outcomes. Now I know that it’s also about how I show up—for my team, for my family, and for myself. If I’m not rooted, I can’t lead well. It’s as simple—and as complex—as that.
Search Smart: Let’s talk about the future of advancement. What excites you about what’s next?
Mike: Advancement has come a long way. We’re not just the fundraising arm anymore—we’re increasingly seen as a central part of the university’s fabric. But we still have work to do. The next generation of advancement leaders will need to be adaptive, values-driven, and bold.
And for the students coming up? I’d say this: advancement is one of the most exciting, purpose-driven careers you can pursue. It gives you a front-row seat to transformation, and a chance to connect big ideas with real-world outcomes. You’ll be tested—but you’ll also grow in ways you can’t predict.
Search Smart: Final question: what keeps you grounded today?
Mike: My son, my wife. The people who really know me. Nature. And knowing that legacy isn’t about what you build—it’s about how you show up, every day, in the lives of others.
Mike den Haan is an advancement leader, mentor, and board member currently working in education and environmental learning. His journey has taken him from billion-dollar campaigns at U of T to values-based leadership in Northern Ontario. He continues to be guided by a deep belief in education, equity, and grounded, purpose-driven work.
At Search Smart, we’re proud to have played a role in Mike’s story—and inspired by where he’s headed next.
