Daniel is a highly experienced and innovative fundraising professional with almost 40 years of success raising funds for higher education, research, religious and other organisations. In 2004, he established AskRIGHT, advising leadership on fundraising and helping build capacity to reach their organisational goals. 

Daniel McDiarmid began his career in fundraising in 1982 as National Secretary for Education and Promotion with the Australian Board of Missions and subsequently worked with Stewardship Australia. He then established fundraising and alumni offices at Central Queensland University and RMIT University. His appointment to Queensland University of Technology enabled him and his talented team to develop the existing fundraising and alumni relations programme to new heights, culminating in the successful $175 million New Century Campaign. 

Daniel has spoken at many conferences in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA, and UK, and in 2006 he gave the FIA Dave Rose Oration. 

He has an appointment as Adjunct Professor at Australian Centre of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Studies (ACPNS). He has served as Chair of the Emmanuel College Foundation at the University of Queensland, Chair of the charity Sweet Freedom, Member of the Philanthropy Commission of CASE, Director of CFRE International, Director of National Trust of Australia (Queensland), Trustee at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation, and Director of Anglicare Northern NSW.  

Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to fundraisers, CEOs, Trustees, and philanthropists. Daniel works in this sector because it offers the intellectual challenge of finding solutions in a complex environment, combined with the difference it makes in people’s lives when you get it right.