CASE Announces 2025 Europe Distinguished Service Award Winners: Michaela Seeger and Karen Cairney
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is proud to announce that Michaela Seeger and Karen Cairney have been named recipients of the 2025 CASE Europe Distinguished Service Award. This honour recognises advancement professionals whose achievements have had a lasting impact on institutional advancement and who have earned the respect and admiration of their peers.
For more than 20 years, Michaela Seeger has been a leading voice in advancing philanthropy and development within international and independent schools. She has held multiple roles across the sector, as a board member, director of development, consultant, and most recently, as Director of Community Relations at Zurich International School, bringing strategic expertise and a deep commitment to cultivating a culture of philanthropy.
Seeger’s leadership has extended well beyond her institution. She spearheaded the creation of the CASE Europe International Schools Forum, founded a monthly advancement group for European peers, and has regularly contributed to CASE publications and conferences. Her reputation as a mentor and thought leader has shaped the profession across Europe and globally.
“Michaela’s sharp intellect and deep appreciation for community engagement have allowed her to build meaningful relationships and advance projects that strengthened her school and serve their mission,” said Crickett Kasper, Senior Director of Schools at CASE. “She is seen as the ‘guru’ by many in the region, having coached, mentored, and championed her colleagues for decades.”
CASE President and Chief Executive Sue Cunningham added: “For more than two decades, Michaela has been a driving force in advancing the profession, particularly within international and independent schools. Her leadership at Zurich International School and her volunteer service with CASE have helped build community and shape the future of advancement across Europe and beyond.”
With a career spanning more than 30 years, including over two decades in education, Karen Cairney has transformed institutions and inspired professionals worldwide. She has led advancement teams across the UK, US, Canada, and Asia, raising more than £200 million, including through Edinburgh Napier University’s groundbreaking £100 million campaign.
In 2016, she founded Cairney & Company, a consultancy recognised for its innovative approach and collaborative ethos. Under her leadership, the firm has guided universities, schools, and charities globally to achieve ambitious philanthropic goals.
“Karen’s contribution to the profession has been profound,” said the team at Cairney & Company. “She is admired for her bold guidance, her generosity in sharing knowledge, and her ability to empower others. Her career has been defined by her commitment to improving education through advancement.” The award was also supported by other leaders in the sector.
Cairney is also renowned as a mentor and advocate for women in leadership, with her generosity and collaborative spirit earning deep respect across the sector.
“Over the course of her career, Karen’s extensive contributions have been both profound and far-reaching. Her innovative approach and her generosity in mentoring colleagues have strengthened the profession and inspired a new generation of advancement leaders,” said Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow.
CASE President and Chief Executive Sue Cunningham noted: “Karen’s leadership and expertise have transformed institutions and set a benchmark for excellence in our profession. From her pioneering work at Edinburgh Napier to her global impact through Cairney & Company, Karen embodies the values of CASE and has left an indelible mark on the advancement community.”
Both Seeger and Cairney will be formally recognised at the CASE Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) in Birmingham, UK, from 4–6 November 2025.
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.