Visionary Keynotes
Phil Nichols, CEO, Toronto Humane Society
James Russell, PhD, Author, Professor, Advisor
Rachel Hunnybun, VP Donor Insights, Blakely
Leadership Insights Speakers
Heather Clark, Chief Marketing Officer, SickKids Foundation
Mike Kujawski, Managing Partner, Center of Excellence for Public Sector Marketing
Lesley Heighway, CEO & President, Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation
Steve Shaw, Podcaster, Customer First Thinking & VP Strategy, Kenna
Current Speakers | Full Roster & Session Descriptions
Heather Clark, Chief Marketing Officer, SickKids Foundation
Doug Earle, President & CEO, West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation
Sandra Colburn, Director of Client Services, Engage Fundraising
Danny Anckle, CEO & Executive Director, Tropicana Community Services
Mikhael Bornstein, Principal, The Philanthropic Leader
Richard Plummer, Senior Consultant, BNP Inspire
Amanda Braet, Director of Development, Birchway Niagara
Karen Milligan, Executive Director, Ontario 211 Services
Leigh Sandison, Founding Partner, Real Path
Alison Keys, President, Keys Marketing Group, BC
Anthony Grey, President, Tropicana Community Services
Nicole Danesi, Senior Manager, Communication & Brand, CanadaHelps
Kathleen A. Provost, CFRE,MAdEd, Vice President, Philanthropy & Communications, United for Literacy formerly Frontier College, Nova Scotia
Ben Smithee, Chief Relationship Officer, NextAfter–Texas
Jess Brayne, Senior Manager, Community & Corporate Partnerships, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
Dr. Zainub Verjee C.M., Executive Director, Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries (GOG)
Melissa Cameron, Executive Director, Island Nature Trust, PEI
Heather Clark, Chief Marketing Officer, SickKids Foundation
Jayne Hunter, Executive Director, Literacy Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia
Megan Kelly, Director of Brand and Donor Engagement, (CAMH) The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Fred Reibin, Shareholder Engagement Lead and Brand Manager, Saskatoon Community Foundation, Saskatchewan
Marla Smith, Director, Foundations & Communications, Pathstone Foundation
Judi Steadman, Director, Corporate & Community Partnerships, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
Taya Tootoo, Executive Director, Arctic Children & Youth Foundation, Nunavut
Elena Yunusov, Founder & Executive Director, Human Feedback Foundation
Karri LaJeunesse, Senior Consultant, Harvey McKinnon Associates
Lisa Smith, Director of Operations, Keys Marketing Group
HEATHER CLARK, CMO, SickKids Foundation
Heather Clark joined SickKids Foundation in January 2016. In her role as Chief Marketing Officer, Heather is responsible for driving innovation and growing the direct and digital marketing portfolio to increase fundraising revenue. Heather is an accomplished senior marketer with experience in B2B and B2C marketing, including brand strategy, mass media advertising, digital marketing and direct marketing. She has a proven track record of developing and implementing customer-centric solutions with ROI-driven business models for some of the world’s biggest brands, such as Chatelaine, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Joe Fresh, Maclean’s, Tim Hortons and Today’s Parent. Heather graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing Management. She is an award-winning marketer, developing the strategies for twelve different campaigns that have gone on to win top awards for achieving results. She has been recognized by Marketing Magazine as “one to watch”, and she was the chosen alumnus to provide the keynote speech at the University of Guelph President’s Welcome, Class of 2010. In her spare time, Heather writes fiction. She is the bestselling author of two novels, Chai Tea Sunday and Elephant in the Sky. Heather also enjoys travelling, SCUBA diving and reading, but her greatest joy comes from spending time with her husband and three children.
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Meghan Kelly, Director of Brand & Donor Engagement, CAMH Foundation.
Meghan Kelly is a purpose-driven leader in marketing, communications, and partnerships, with over 15 years of experience delivering award-winning campaigns and leading high-performing teams. Her career has been defined by transformational work that drives measurable results and meaningful change—whether launching ethically made consumer products or leading national awareness campaigns on mental health and addiction.
As Director of Brand & Donor Engagement at CAMH Foundation, Meghan has played a key leadership role in Canada’s largest-ever fundraising campaign for mental health. Since joining CAMH, she has held several senior roles and developed powerful, issue-driven campaigns on complex topics such as suicide, addiction, and stigma—helping to shift public perception and deepen donor engagement.
SESSION: Reimagining Fundraising: Building Awareness and Inspiring Action Through Brand Marketing. Fundraising today is about more than making the ask. Growth depends on building awareness, creating mental availability, and sparking genuine connections that inspire people to act. In this session, we’ll explore how innovative brand marketing and donor engagement strategies are reshaping the future of philanthropy. Through campaigns like No One Left Behind and the community-powered Sunrise Challenge, we’ll take you behind the scenes to show how creative campaign design, smart media use, and compelling storytelling help us reach new audiences and strengthen supporter relationships. You’ll walk away with fresh insights into what’s working, where innovation is driving change, and how brand marketing can turn awareness into lasting impact.
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Leigh Sandison, Founding Partner, Real Path. Leigh Sandison started her career in fundraising in the UK – in corporate partnerships, product development and innovation in mass market fundraising. She then focused on strategy and insight-led experience design for top global companies across a variety of sectors. Leigh is a founding partner of Real Path – the insights and strategy consultancy focused on helping non-profits maximize the lifetime value of their supporters. Specializing in using supporter insights to develop innovative solutions, Leigh’s focus is creating wonderfully engaging, insight-led experiences that delight people. Leigh helps clients envision future supporter experiences and provides the path to put that vision into action.
Amanda Braet, Director of Development, Birchway Niagara. Amanda Braet is the Director of Development at Birchway Niagara, where she leads all aspects of fundraising, donor engagement, and community partnerships to sustain and grow services for women, children, and individuals affected by gender-based violence. With over 20 years of experience in the fundraising profession and holding the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, Amanda brings both seasoned expertise and a deep passion for advancing meaningful causes. Recognized as one of Niagara’s 40 Under Forty (2021) for her professional accomplishments and community leadership, she has also completed the Not-for-Profit Leadership Certificate at Brock University. Amanda is an active leader in the fundraising community, serving as Co-Chair of the Niagara Fundraisers Network, and contributing in various volunteer roles with the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP). Her approach blends strategy, relationship-building, and a deep belief in the power of generosity to create lasting change. Through her work and volunteer commitments, Amanda continues to champion collaboration, inspire giving, and help build a stronger, safer community.
SESSION: Assumption to Insight: How Real Donor Journeys Lead to Lasting Generosity
This session introduces a new standard for insight-led fundraising: Extrospective Donor Experience Design. You’ll learn how to:
– Challenge assumptions about your donors
– Map the donor journey using real conversations with supporters and prospects
– Turn key insights into strategies for recruitment, stewardship, and long-term engagement
– Keep the supporter experience front and centre at every touchpoint and stage of the giving journey
Through a case study, we’ll show how donor-led insights can shape strategies, tactics, and tools that drive long-term giving. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to challenge assumptions, centre your donor’s experience, and build fundraising strategies that are both human and effective. This is for anyone ready to go beyond the usual tactics and reimagine donor experience.
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Taya Tootoo, Executive Director, Arctic Children and Youth Foundation
Taya Tootoo (she/they) is currently the Executive Director for the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation. Prior to moving into administration, she started work in the organization within the Qupanuaq Office, managing a small team building the foundations for the service structures and support for families.
Her previous work had her working within the Department of Education, resource division, where she managed all the Inuktut Resources for the territory’s schools. Taya was raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut for the majority of her life. She completed high school at Pearson College, United World College of the Pacific on Vancouver Island. She is currently enrolled as a student at the University of Toronto within the Anthropology and Indigenous studies streams.
Taya is also a mother, advocate, and avid dog lover. She loves to hike, hunt, boat, camp, berry pick and enjoy time with family and friends. Her lineage is a mix of Metis on her mother’s side and Inuk on her fathers. She was raised with cultural values from both backgrounds and grown around a sense of community that she continues to incorporate into her daily life; actively learning and growing in her role as a mother, student, leader, and team member.
Session: Title and description to come.
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Elena Yunusov, Founder & Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation
Elena Yunusov is Founder & Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation (HFF), a Linux Foundation AI & Data nonprofit on a mission to advance a more open and human-centered future for AI. She leads RAISE — Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact, Canada’s first national program to train 500+ nonprofit staff and pilot AI projects at CAMH Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Achev, Furniture Bank, and CanadaHelps, with support from DIGITAL, The Dais (TMU) and Creative Destruction Lab. Elena previously held leadership roles at Borealis AI (RBC) and Highline Beta and serves on Northeastern University’s MS in Cyber-Physical Systems advisory committee. Named among the Top Women in Canadian Tech, she also runs AI Tinkerers Toronto, a 3,000-member AI/ML engineer community; its Paper Club, a bi-weekly researcher-led AI paper deep dives for engineering and product teams; and a human-centered AI in Production mentorship program pilot at Northeastern University and University of Toronto.
Session: Title and description to come.
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Fred Reibin, Stakeholder Engagement & Brand Manager, Saskatoon Community Foundation
Fred Reibin is a passionate storyteller, social entrepreneur and creative brand strategist. In 2014, along with 3 others, he founded Unite Marketing Cooperative to help good messages spread in the community and purpose-driven organizations succeed. Through his work with Unite, Fred contributed to the introduction of a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy for the province of Saskatchewan, saw a 100% success rate in social crowdfunding campaigns (raising over $1M), and helped launch over a hundred social change campaigns. Fred is inspiring philanthropy and community vitality. To be most impactful, Fred leverages the power of branding to create meaningful connections between people and their community.
Session: Empowering Your Brand: Building Living Narratives That Drive Connection. I’m more than a logo and colours – your brand story is already being written every day. The question isn’t whether you have a brand narrative—it’s whether you’re actively shaping it or allowing it to develop by chance. This session will empower you to take control of that story, ensuring it authentically represents your values, engages your audience, and drives the actions that matter most to your success. Join us to discover how the stories that shape your mission may indeed be closer than you think—and learn how to unlock their full potential to transform your brand from a static identity into a dynamic force for connection and growth.
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Marla Smith, CFRE, ACFRE Candidate, Director, Foundation & Communications, Pathstone Foundation
Marla Smith is a passionate and community-minded fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds her Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, is an ACFRE candidate, an AFP Certified Facilitator, and a proud CFRE Ambassador. In her role as Director of Foundation & Communications at Pathstone Foundation, Marla works to strengthen mental health services for children, youth, and families in Niagara through thoughtful, ethical, and relationship-based fundraising. She believes in building trust, telling meaningful stories, and engaging donors in ways that reflect shared values and long-term impact. Marla has a deep appreciation for collaboration and brings a strategic yet people-centered approach to her work. During her time at Niagara Children’s Centre, she led her team through a period of significant growth, including securing the Centre’s largest individual gift. She also gives back to the profession through volunteer leadership. Marla serves on the AFP Foundation for Canada Board, chairs National Philanthropy Day, and leads professional development efforts as Chair of Education for AFP Golden Horseshoe. She is committed to mentoring others and building a strong, supportive fundraising community. Marla is also a proud wife, mom, and friend—roles that keep her grounded and remind her every day why this work matters.
Session: Ethical Fundraising in Real Life: Navigating the Gray Areas with Confidence
Fundraising is rooted in trust—but real-life ethical decisions are rarely black and white. What happens when a major donor wants more influence than their gift should allow? Or when a restricted gift clashes with your mission? What if a board member oversteps with donor data?
This session gets real about the everyday gray areas fundraisers face but rarely talk about. Using high-profile case studies, headlines from the sector, and practical decision-making tools, we will unpack the nuances behind common ethical dilemmas and explore how to respond with clarity, courage, and professionalism. Participants will walk away with:
• Real-world examples drawn from media and the sector
• A toolkit for making values-based decisions when the stakes are high
• Conversation starters and strategies to foster a culture of ethical leadership
• The confidence to navigate complex situations without second-guessing themselves
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this okay?”—this session is for you.
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Kathleen A. Provost, CFRE,MAdEd, Vice President, Philanthropy & United for Literacy.
Kathleen A. Provost is the Vice President, Philanthropy and Communications at United for Literacy (previously Frontier College), a national organization working in partnerships with communities across Canada, offering free tutoring and mentoring to adults, youth, and children who are looking for literacy and numeracy support. Kathleen has over 30 years of experience in the charitable sector. She has been a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2007 and a long-time member and volunteer for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She has received numerous recognitions during her career, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to the charitable sector and was recognized as 2021 Fundraiser of the Year in Nova Scotia. She writes this column exclusively for each issue of Foundation Magazine. United for Literacy (previously Frontier College), a national organization with over 120 years of frontline experience in Canada. We partner with volunteers, partners and communities to offer free services of tutoring and mentoring to adult, youth, and children who need literacy support.
SESSION: From City to Countryside – Enhancing skills for fundraisers: the Case of Nova Scotia. Why do some skills need to be learnt—and others are inherent and needing to be strengthened?
The charitable sector is shifting faster than ever, and fundraisers are the cornerstone of change. Our role is evolving more quickly than the resources we have to keep up. As fundraisers, we know Donor–Grantee relationships are being shaped by forces beyond our control—making it essential to adapt. Traditional training has its place, but today’s challenges demand new, flexible approaches to learning. Today, a professional fundraiser needs to sharpen the soft skills that matter most for success.
I am a firm believer in life-long learning. Drawing on the non-traditional lessons from Nova Scotia over the past decade, in this session I will show how fundraisers can harness informal learning to sharpen the soft skills that matter most. You’ll leave with practical insights to build stronger, more impactful relationships in today’s rapidly changing fundraising landscape.
What you’ll take away:
1- Insights and learnings from Nova Scotia’s Ivany Report: Now or Never
2- An understanding of sector trends and the new skills required to build stronger donor relationships
3- A practical “Skill Challenge Checklist” to identify and grow the soft skills you need today
Whether you’re working in a small town or a big city, you’ll leave with strategies to strengthen your professional toolkit—and the confidence to adapt to a fast-changing fundraising world
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Mike Kujawaski, Managing Partner of the Centre of Excellence for Public Sector Marketing (CEPSM).
Mike Kujawski has over 20 years of experience as a management consultant, trainer, and professional speaker for government, non-profit, and association clients across Canada and around the globe. He is the Managing Partner and Senior Consultant at the Centre of Excellence for Public Sector Marketing (CEPSM), where his areas of expertise include strategic marketing and communications, social (behaviour change) marketing, digital and social media strategy development, data analytics, social network analysis, and AI workflow optimization. He primarily works with public sector and non-profit organizations, striving to achieve positive societal outcomes. Mike is frequently invited to speak at major conferences and events on topics ranging from disruptive digital trends and the evolution of digital culture to ethical behaviour change strategies and rebuilding trust in an era of mis- and disinformation. Mike’s consulting, training, and speaking work spans four continents and covers a wide range of sectors, including health, education, justice, and the environment. His project work has also extended into areas such as organizational restructuring, governance, risk management, staffing, and policy development—helping organizations adopt a digital-first, audience-centric mindset. Some of Mike’s consulting clients include Public Safety Canada, Elections Canada, the Office of the Auditor General, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Health Canada, Justice Canada, Lakehead District School Board, the Government of Kazakhstan, the Government of Tanzania, and the Government of Sharjah, UAE. As a trainer, Mike has delivered both public and in-house workshops across Canada and internationally to thousands of public servants and non-profit professionals. His workbooks have been translated into six languages, and he has developed and instructed multiple university certificate courses, including the Professional Certificate in Public Sector Marketing (Carleton University), the Certificate in Digital and Social Media Strategy for Social Good (Carleton University), and the Social Media Engagement Certificate (Brandon University)—all tailored specifically to the public and non-profit sectors. Mike holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Carleton University, with a dual concentration in Marketing and International Business, along with various supplementary certifications in strategic marketing, behaviour change, communications, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital engagement. He is also an associate consultant at Think Digital and an instructor at the Institute on Governance. Mike actively volunteers as a board executive for the Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA), the International Social Marketing Association (iSMA), and several community-based boards in his home city of Ottawa, Canada. Outside of work, he is an avid reader, runner, skier, guitar player, photographer, and committed life-long learner.
SESSION: The Current State of the Social Media Landscape and Its Impact on Organizations. In this captivating presentation, Mike provides a comprehensive overview of the ever-evolving social media landscape and its profound implications for organizations. Attendees will gain insights into the latest trends, platforms, and user behaviours shaping the world of social media. Mike will also discuss the opportunities these platforms present for organizations to enhance their brand presence, engage with their audience, and drive growth. Simultaneously, he will address the challenges and potential pitfalls organizations face, including issues of privacy, misinformation, and changing algorithms. By the end of the session, participants will have a holistic understanding of the current state of social media and the strategies to harness its potential effectively and ethically. Additionally, Mike will address the potential pitfalls and ethical considerations associated with the deployment of generative AI in professional settings. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with insights to harness the potential of generative AI in their respective fields while being cognizant of the associated challenges.
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Dr. Zainub Verjee, Executive Director, Galeries Ontario/Ontario Galleries (GOG).
Accomplished, experienced and visionary, Dr Zainub Verjee is a member of Order of Canada and is the laureate of the 2020 Governor General’s Visual and Media Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution. A public intellectual, she was elected as Senior Fellow of Massey College and appointed as McLaughlin College Fellow at York University. Recognizing her extraordinary contribution to arts and culture, she was conferred with honorary doctorates by OCAD University, Toronto and NSCAD University, Halifax as well as Simon Fraser University and University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
A recognized thought leader and senior executive in Arts, Culture and Heritage sector, with experience in leading and managing cultural institutions, cultural organizations, cultural departments, international contemporary art centres and cultural agencies, she has shaped culture policy at all levels of governments and contributed to building of cultural institutions and organizations in Canada and internationally. In the 1990s, Zainub was the executive director of the Western Front Society in Vancouver, B.C.. Later she held positions at Canada Council for the Arts in Ottawa, Department of Canadian Heritage in Gatineau and at the City of Mississauga.
As a scholar, she has been part of many research projects and think-tanks to strengthen post-secondary art education in Canada and Internationally as well as published extensively. Her recent scholarly publication is a co-authored chapter The Making of the Black Star Collection at the Image Center in Facing the Black Star Other recent publications that documents her work are Variable Conditions – Para-computational Arts in Canada, 1965–1995 and Other Places: Reflections on Media Arts in Canada Her other writings can be found at the Galleries West Magazine while some of her new interviews can be found here.
Currently, she is leading major national digital data projects to bring cultural institutions within the digital ecosystem and activating the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 report (TRC). Specifically, the recommendation of #67 of the TRC that contributes to a review of museum policies and best practices to determine the level of compliance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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Ben Smithee, Chief Relationship Officer, NextAfter.
At my core, I’m a strategist, storyteller, and connector. I’m passionate about helping organizations grow by building meaningful relationships, crafting clear strategies, and bringing bold ideas to life. My career started in consumer intelligence, analytics, and digital marketing. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead initiatives for global brands, innovative nonprofits, and startups alike. I’ve been blessed to travel the globe speaking and coaching executive teams through business transformation, and built marketing frameworks that help organizations scale by moving from confusion to clarity. At NextAfter I focus on amplifying our mission, deepening our client and partner relationships, and helping us grow in both purpose and performance. I lead our marketing, sales, and events teams, share our knowledge with as many leaders as possible, and support our team’s mission to unleash generosity. My core mission is as a husband and dad. I’m an avid outdoorsman, adventure-seeker, and try to find any way to get on a golf course as much as possible.
NextAfter combines the perpetual learning of a fundraising research lab, the practical application of a digital-first agency, and the rigorous instruction of a training institute. We are obsessed with understanding what inspires people to give. That’s why we’ve constructed the first-of-its-kind digital fundraising research lab. In the lab, we study how nonprofit organizations engage with their donors, and then we test different approaches to understand what works (and what doesn’t) to grow generosity.
We approach this from two different angles:
From the perspective of the donor…
Through our many mystery donor research studies, we have given thousands of online donations to 1000+ different nonprofit organizations across 9 countries so that we can understand how nonprofits communicate and engage with their donors online.
From the perspective of market-tested data…
Based on what we learn from the mystery donor research studies, we then market-test different strategies designed to increase digital fundraising performance. Our online fundraising research library has recorded 6,000+ digital fundraising experiments that help evolve our understanding of what makes people give.
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Stephen Shaw, Chief Strategy Officer, Kenna. As Chief Strategy Officer at Kenna, Stephen’s role is to guide clients on the adoption of customer management as a core marketing discipline and to serve as an advocate for marketing transformation. A recognized authority in Canada on the subject of relationship and database marketing, Stephen’s expertise spans information technology, customer analytics, and marketing strategy. Over the years, he has worked with major clients in almost every business sector, spearheading a diverse range of marketing initiatives, from the development of customer relationship programs to creation of fully integrated lead management systems to conducting end-to-end enterprise audits of customer management maturity. Stephen is a rare breed of marketer: technically fluent while equally facile at relationship management strategy and brand identity development. He is an impassioned communicator with an ability to synthesize complex ideas and concepts in a way that is easily grasped by general audiences. Over the past 30 years, Stephen has been a frequent contributor to Direct Marketing Magazine. He has also contributed CRM-related articles to various online publications. All of his articles appear on the Kenna thought leadership hub Customerfirsthinking.ca, He also hosts a podcast called Customer First Thinking where his guests have included many notable marketing experts and luminaries. Stephen’s prior experience includes strategic leadership positions at various prominent CRM and database marketing services companies in Canada. His early career was spent in the direct response field, specifically in the areas of publishing, mail order and financial services.
SESSION: THE MAGIC MATRIX. How nonprofit organizations can master the science of discovering what really motivates people to become involved. What explains why certain people are more inclined to give than others? To donate more than others? To volunteer their time? To serve as an advocate? Most people are drawn to a cause because it matters to them on a personal level. To convert them you need to understand and appeal to those underlying drivers and emotions. Their demographics won’t reveal those affinities. Neither will their donor history. The only way to know is through attitudinal segmentation. By classifying donors into discrete, likeminded groups – people who share a common set of values and motivations – you have a better chance of connecting with them through your communications and messaging. In this session you’ll learn how you can use attitudinal segmentation to personalize your messaging, increase engagement and win over more donors to your cause.
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Anthony Grey, BA, MBA, President, Tropicana Community Services. Anthony Grey is the CEO of DxEcosystems Group and brings over 30 years of experience in financial services, business services management, business process design, and transformation. Tropicana Community Services Organization (Tropicana) offers culturally appropriate and supportive programs to those in need, including but not limited to counselling, settlement services, childcare, education, personal development, and employment services, with a predominant focus on the Black, African, and Caribbean communities of Toronto. Tropicana was founded in 1980 as a non-profit community organization in Scarborough, Ontario by Jamaican-born Robert Brown and co-founder Derrick McLennon. Their goal was to serve disadvantaged youth and their families, particularly those from a Black, African, and Caribbean heritage. Each year Tropicana’s staff, with the assistance of its dedicated volunteers, is able to help thousands of people in need. Over the past 40 years, additional programs and services have been added to the organization, both through internal development and external partnerships. Current programs include but are not limited to counselling, settlement services, tutoring, youth leadership programs, aggression management, March break and summer camps, childcare, employment and counselling, activities. In 1984 the organization became the first Caribbean, Black, and African community organization to become a United Way member agency. Since this time we have gained numerous partnership and supporters. As a business manager and operations expert, he has led significant initiatives in business architecture and general operations management. Recognized as a thought leader and team builder, Anthony has held leadership roles at Mutual of Omaha, KPMG, American Express, and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), where he demonstrated his results-oriented approach. An innovator and technology entrepreneur, he is passionate about integrating best practices and innovation to deliver exceptional customer results. Anthony also contributes as a volunteer, board advisor, and executive leader, underscoring his commitment to excellence and community service.
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Lesley Heighway, President & CEO, Peterborough Region Health Centre Foundation. Since 2011, Lesley Heighway has dedicated her career to the healthcare needs of her community and the surrounding region through her leadership of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation. As President & CEO, she leads a team of passionate and dedicated professionals, and together with the community, they’ve raised $45 million over the last five years to ensure world-class health care remains the standard. Lesley is known and respected for being a champion of innovation, a strategic and visionary leader, and for leading her organization to new and unprecedented levels of success. A graduate of the University of Ottawa and Northwestern University, Lesley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Education degree, and a Master of Business Administration degree. Lesley serves on the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Canada Council Board of Directors, and she also serves as a mentor with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Toronto Chapter. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. In 2021 Lesley received the prestigious Fellow designation from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), an honour bestowed on less than 2% of the professionals working in the field of healthcare philanthropy across North America.
SESSION: The Power of Leaders to Evoke Mission in Fundraising: My Real-World Experience. The $70 million Campaign for Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is crucial to the future to bring the best patient care the world has to offer to our doorstep. Without continued investment and solutions that address our region’s specific challenges, our hospital won’t be able to meet growing demand and patients in our region will be left behind. For over 45 years, Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation has partnered with our community to make world-class care possible and to bring new lifesaving services to our region. Donors help our hospital recruit the best and the brightest healthcare professionals to Peterborough Regional. Our donor community has invested in every corner of PRHC and it’s evolved from a small-town hospital to a fully integrated regional hub for care that serves a population of 600,000. But now we’re facing challenges that make our shared mission and collective efforts more important than ever before. Lesley Heighway has often been front-and-centre as the voice of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation’s fundraising campaigns. Her appeal is heard and read in multiple channels in the region’s media and communications. The PRHC Foundation takes advantage of radio, television, newspapers, social media and digital opportunities to connect with potential donors of all segments of the communities the foundation serves.
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Richard Plummer, Senior Consultant, BNP Inspire. Richard Plummer is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in non-profit management and capacity building. Passionate about collaboration and community impact, he has played a key role in stabilizing and transforming organizations through strategic partnerships, revenue optimization and innovative program development. His expertise lies in aligning organizational priorities with sustainable funding solutions to drive long-term growth and meaningful social impact. Prior to joining BNP Inspire, Richard was the National Executive Director of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, where he led national service projects, advanced policy initiatives, and secured sustainable funding through grants and campaigns. His leadership contributed to the expansion of awareness programs, the promotion of legislative reforms, and the strengthening of the organization’s financial viability. Richard has also held senior positions at the McConnell Foundation, YMCA-YWCA, and United Way Ottawa.
Karen Milligan, Executive Director, Ontario 211 Services. Karen Milligan is the Executive Director for Ontario 211 Services, the coordinating body for 211 service in Ontario. Karen is a values-driven, empathetic leader who is passionate about partnering with others to develop innovative solutions to complex community challenges. Karen has deep experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and leading large scale system transformations. Prior to her work with 211, Karen held senior roles at United Way Ottawa in Communications, Capacity Building and Resource Development and began her career in the hotel industry and then the automotive sector, spending 10 years in progressive leadership roles with Ford Motor Company of Canada. Karen is also a proud Ivey Business School Community Shift fellow, a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and an active volunteer in her community.
SESSION: What’s Keeping You Awake at Night? Nonprofit leaders are increasingly kept awake by financial instability, rising demands, and staff burnout—concerns echoed in BNP’s national survey of sector executives. With increasingly unpredictable funding, the pressure is to do more with less. We will discuss the results of this survey, the impacts and what are some of the key approaches that NFP leaders are taking to shift from a scarcity—to an asset-based approach that emphasizes strengths, relationships, and untapped potential including strategic resource development and reframing fundraising as a proactive strategy for mission advancement.
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Judi Steadman, Director, Corporate & Community Partnerships, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. Judi is a dynamic, compassionate, and innovative fundraising professional with extensive experience across both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She brings a deep passion for social causes and a proven ability to build and steward long-term partnerships that advance mission-driven work. Currently serving as Interim Director, Corporate Partnerships at Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, Judi plays a pivotal role in securing philanthropic and sponsorship support from leading Canadian companies to improve outcomes for children and youth in and from the child welfare system. Over the course of her career, Judi has held leadership roles with organizations such as Susan G. Komen San Diego, where she led major gifts and corporate sponsorships, and the San Diego Zoo, where as part of the major gifts team she contributed to a landmark $440 million capital campaign. Her talent for cultivating strong stakeholder relationships and delivering strategic fundraising initiatives has consistently driven impact. Whether working with corporate leaders, donors, or community champions, Judi’s collaborative spirit and results-driven approach help non-profits surpass their goals and deepen their influence in the communities they serve.
Jess Brayne, Senior Manager, Community & Corporate Partnerships, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. Jess is a creative and collaborative fundraising professional with a strong track record of building high-impact partnerships that drive meaningful engagement. She began her career at Heart & Stroke, where she managed third-party and partnership fundraising events. Jess brought this expertise to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, where she continues to lead with purpose and passion. More recently, Jess has sharpened her focus on workplace fundraising, working closely with corporate partners to engage employee groups through impactful giving, volunteering, and learning opportunities. Her ability to foster authentic connections has resulted in deepened corporate relationships and innovative employee engagement strategies. Jess is also an experienced committee leader, currently stewarding an energetic group of 30+ early-to-mid-career professionals from Bay Street firms to lead a thriving workplace fundraising campaign that continues to achieve strong year-over-year growth. Jess is passionate about creating opportunities for others to make a lasting contribution. Her relationship-first approach, strategic mindset, and commitment to impact continue to inspire colleagues and partners alike.
SESSION: Engaging Corporate Partners and Sponsors through Events & Campaigns. How do you create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with corporate sponsors? This session will explore proven strategies to engage companies through signature events, partnership activations, and workplace giving campaigns. Participants will hear three case studies that showcase different models of success:
• The Gala (40 years, $40M+ raised): A flagship fundraising event that unites corporate leaders and community champions.
• The Joe Carter Classic (17 years, $3M+ raised): A high-profile partnership event that leverages celebrity and experience to drive impact.
• The Teddy Bear Adventure (7 years, ~$1M raised): A workplace giving campaign engaging 20 leading banks and firms across Bay Street, combining employee fundraising with marquee sponsorship opportunities.
Through these examples, attendees will gain insights into how to:
• Build authentic relationships with corporate partners
• Offer diverse opportunities for engagement and visibility
• Leverage events and campaigns to create shared value and long-term commitment
Join us to learn how blending creativity, collaboration, and strategy can unlock corporate investment and strengthen your fundraising portfolio.
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Doug Earle President & CEO, West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation
Doug Earle is a nationally recognized leader in Canada’s non-profit and healthcare fundraising sectors with over 30 years’ experience. As former CEO of the West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation and President & CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada, Doug has driven major capital campaigns and led organizations through transformative growth, raising over $1.2 billion for health, community, and education causes. Known for building strong donor communities and inspiring teams, Doug is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and frequent conference speaker on philanthropy, major gifts, and advancing integrated healthcare.
Sandra Colburn, Director of Client Services, Engage Fundraising
Sandra Colburn is Director of Client Services at iMarketing Solutions Group in Toronto, where she leads client partnerships and high-impact marketing strategies. With senior roles at Candela Strategies, Agency59 Response, and United Way of Greater Toronto, Sandra brings deep expertise in digital and direct marketing, campaign leadership, and account management. Known for her client-focused approach and strong relationship-building skills, she helps organizations drive engagement, deliver results, and achieve their goals in both nonprofit and corporate sectors.
SESSION: Mastering New Donor Acquisition – A Panel Discussion. The landscape of donor acquisition is at a challenging point. Many are struggling to reach new supporters using traditional methods. The message is clear: it’s time to move into the digital fundraising space and expand on what’s possible from a cross channel perspective. This Engage panel brings together experts who have successfully made the leap, sharing how to leverage advanced donor databases, implement smarter segmentation, and adopt digital tools that actually work. If you’re ready to future-proof your fundraising and find your next generation of donors, this discussion is for you.
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Karri LaJeunesse, Senior Consultant, Harvey McKinnon Associates. Karri is a passionate fundraiser with 15 years of experience helping organizations create lasting impact. She leads fundraising programs for Oxfam Canada, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Committed to continuous learning and staying ahead of fundraising trends, Karri is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP). She thrives on working with mission-driven clients who are making the world a better place.
Lisa Smith, Director of Operations, Keys Marketing Group. Lisa is a dynamic fundraising leader with over a decade of experience helping Canadian charities and nonprofits grow their donor bases and maximize impact. She specializes in telefundraising, donor engagement, and strategic marketing. With a background in PR, digital strategy, and nonprofit leadership, Lisa has spearheaded successful fundraising campaigns for organizations of all sizes. Passionate about ethical fundraising, data security, and innovative donor engagement, she brings a fresh perspective on building lasting supporter relationships.
SESSION: Growing Your Monthly Donor Base: A Multi-Channel Success Story. Want to expand your monthly donor base? Join Lisa from Keys Marketing Group and Karri from Harvey McKinnon Associates as they reveal the strategies behind a multi-channel fundraising success. Discover how the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides increased their monthly donors by 40% using an integrated approach with digital ads, direct mail, and telemarketing. Walk away with actionable insights to boost your own donor retention and revenue!
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Elena Yunusov, Founder & Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation. Yunusov is Founder & Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation (HFF), a Linux Foundation AI & Data nonprofit on a mission to advance a more open and human-centered future for AI. She leads RAISE — Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact, Canada’s first national program to train 500+ nonprofit staff and pilot AI projects at CAMH Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Achev, Furniture Bank, and CanadaHelps, with support from DIGITAL, The Dais (TMU) and Creative Destruction Lab. Elena previously held leadership roles at Borealis AI (RBC) and Highline Beta and serves on Northeastern University’s MS in Cyber-Physical Systems advisory committee. Named among the Top Women in Canadian Tech, she also runs AI Tinkerers Toronto, a 3,000-member AI/ML engineer community; its Paper Club, a bi-weekly researcher-led AI paper deep dives for engineering and product teams; and a human-centered AI in Production mentorship program pilot at Northeastern University and University of Toronto