Keynote and Plenary Speakers

Speakers

Bernie Glassman
Bernie Glassman is the co-founder of the Peacemaker Community, a global community of individual activists and organizations working for civil society and social transformation.  Among the West’s pre-eminent Zen masters, Glassman served for many years as the abbot of the Zen Community of New York and the Founder of the Greyston Mandala, a network of businesses and not-for-profits engaged in community development in southwest Yonkers, New York.  Greyston, whose annual budgets average $20 million, was recently profiled on 60 Minutes.  Bernie Glassman is a former aerospace engineer who worked on manned missions to Mars at McDonnell-Douglas during the 1970s and holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from UCLA.

Glassman was awarded the Ethics in Action Award by the Ethical Culture Society of Westchester and the E-chievement Award by Tom’s of Maine.  He was named Man of the Year by the Westchester Coalition of Food Pantries and Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Business Week in 1993.  He is a founding board member of the Social Ventures Network, whose motto is Business As a Force for Social Change, and continues to serve as one of its two lifetime vision leaders.

He is the co-author, with Rick Fields, of Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Living a Life that Matters  (Bell Tower, April 1996), the author of Bearing Witrness: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Making Peace (Bell Tower, May 1997), and Infinite Circle: Studies in Zen (Shambhala Publication, spring 2002).

Andrea McManus, CFRE

Andrea McManus, CFRE is principal of The Development Group, a full service strategic philanthropic consulting firm.  With over 23 years experience in fund development, communications, media, public relations and marketing, Andrea has particular expertise in environments where major changes, restructuring or transition require innovation, leadership, creativity and an entrepreneurial attitude.  She has worked with a wide variety of local and national non-profit and for-profit organizations in the health, social services, arts and education services.  

Andrea has been an active leader in the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the local, national and international levels. She is currently Vice-Chair of Professional Advancement on AFP’s international board and a member of its Executive Committee.  She is a past-President and a founding board member of the AFP Calgary Chapter, past Chair of the AFP Canadian Council and Past Chair of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, Canada.  Andrea is also a member of the Advisory Council for the Institute of Non-Profit Studies at Mount Royal College in Calgary and is currently Board Chair of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations.

 Andrea is also a contributing author to the recently published book “Management of Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations in Canada”, the first book published on this topic specifically targeted to Canadian nonprofit organizations

Jerold Panas
Jerold Panas is Executive Partner of Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners—one of the nation’s most highly regarded firms in the field of campaign services and financial resource development. A major force in the industry, the firm has served over 1900 client-institutions since its founding in 1968.

Dr. Panas was Senior Vice President of Westminster College in Princeton, New Jersey. Before that, he was Executive for Administration and Finances for the National Council of YMCAs, responsible for the work and development of 400 Associations on the East Coast.

He has served as a member of the board of directors of the Association of Health Care Consultants, the Association of Management Consultants, and chairman of the board of directors of the National Health Care Board. He is a member of the board of the Council of Independent Colleges.

A frequent platform speaker, Dr. Panas is also a regular contributor to professional journals. In the field of philanthropy and trustee governance, he is regarded as an author of particular note:

• Managing Schools In Hard Times Co-Author, 1975
• Mega Gifts (new) 1984
• Born To Raise 1988
• National Fundraising Almanac 1990
• Boardroom Verities 1991
• EXCEL! 1997
• Finders Keepers 1999
• Wit, Wisdom & Moxie 2001
• ASKING 2002
• Making the Case 2004
• Mega Gifts (Revised) 2005
• Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards 2006
• It's a Wonderful Life 2007

His books are considered the most significant in the field. One is an all-time best seller (eleventh printing) and three are considered classics. Because of the prominence of the firm and the impact of his writing, there are few who have had a greater influence in the history of the profession.

Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners serves a wide variety of clients in the arts and cultural field, educational  institutions, hospitals and medical centers, community, and social service organizations. 

In addition to its national recognition, the firm has provided campaign services for the University of Oxford (UK), the American Hospital in Paris, France; the American College of Greece in Athens; Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos in Cuernavaca, Mexico—the largest orphanage in the world; the American British Hospital in Mexico City; and over a hundred organizations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Panas is founder of Decision Research Institute, one of the nation’s largest firms in market research, needs assessment, attitude surveys, and marketing strategy for nonprofit institutions. He is also founder and chairman of the board of the Institute for Charitable Giving, one of the most significant providers of training in philanthropy. He is a Life Trustee of the American College of Greece.

Jerold Panas has been professionally involved in fundraising and financial resource development for over forty years. He combines this understanding and experience in the field with a special talent for strategic planning and volunteer development. He has been related directly, in a planning or supervisory capacity, to most of the major programs of the firm.

David Saxby
David has been a leader with numerous organizations:

• founding Board Member, Past-President of the Calgary Chapter, Past National Director of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers
• Past chair the CTSR (Cinema Stage Television and Radio) Committee – SAIT
• Past Chair of the Business of the Arts Committee and ran the first ever Fundraising School seminar for the Calgary Arts community
• Past Chair of Small Business Week for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce - increased attendance by 40%.
• founder and Past-President of the western chapter of the Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communication.
• a Past-President of one of the largest Calgary Toastmasters  clubs and Communications Chair the District 42 Conference  in Banff.
• A Board Member of the Calgary Chapter of IABC the International Association of Business Communicators
• Past President of Front Row Centre Players Musical Theatre Group
• Alberta Ballet Board member for 3 years –served on the marketing, the fundraising committee and the House and Garden Tour committees.
• Past Vice-president for the Jaycees International (Junior Chamber of Commerce) Edmonton Chapter for 2 terms – one as the VP of Public Relations and one as VP of Education.
• Member of the Calgary North Hills Lions Club and marketing committee member Pot O’Gold
• Member of the Canadian Progress Club

Clients have included: health care professionals, health care organizations, continuing education institutes and arts organizations. Some of the organizations David has worked with include: Mount Royal College, Red Deer Further Education Council, Canadian Marketing Continuing Education Conference, CIRS (Community and Information Referral Society) , ASHA (Alberta Seniors Housing Association) , AWEIA (Alberta Women’s Entrepreneurial Initiative Association) , ATRA (Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association), CHRA , Edmonton General Hospital, FCSS, Alberta Health, United Way, Big Sisters, Uncles at Large, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Citadel Theatre , Alberta Tourism, the Edmonton festivals committee.

Dr. Richard Steckel
Dr. Richard Steckel, President AddVenture Network, Denver, Colorado has an international reputation as a consultant and speaker on non-profit social enterprise and for-profit strategic corporate citizenship. Before founding AddVenture Network in 1984, he was Executive Director of the Denver Children's Museum, which became a national model of the earned income approach to fundraising.

Dr. Steckel has also worked extensively with many corporations. Since 1984, Richard has developed earned income strategies and products and services for over 200 for-profit and nonprofit organizations throughout the USA as well as in Canada, the USA as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

He is co-author of the best-selling book, Filthy Rich and Other Nonprofit Fantasies: Changing the Way Nonprofits Do Business in the 90's. In Search of America's Best Nonprofit Organizations was published in September 1997. Making Money While Making a Difference: How to Profit with a Nonprofit Partner was published in the Spring, 1999.

Concurrent Session Speakers

Brent Barootes
President and Senior Consultant, Partnership Group - Sponsorship Specialist, Calgary

The Partnership Group is a sponsorship consulting agency providing sponsorship expertise to non profits, associations, charities and sport organizations. The Partnership Group has recently worked with the Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Cancer Society, CKUA Radio, Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society, Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club, Pumphouse Theatre, Grant MacEwan College, Youth Emergency Shelter Society, Human Resources Association of Calgary and others.

Brent Barootes, in addition to his consultant role, delivers workshops, keynote presentations and group and individual training and mentoring on all aspects of sponsorship. Brent has over 15 years of sports marketing and sponsorship background.

Laurel Benson

Stephen Carter, Executive Producer
Carter McRae Events, Calgary

A graduate of the University of Calgary, Bachelor of Commerce Program, Stephen has also studied Management of Organizations and Human Resources as well as studying Drama. His studies in drama developed an excellent background in theatrical production. As the executive producer for Carter McRae Events, Stephen is principally responsible for creative development and artistic solutions. In addition to the creative elements, he is also very focused on event promotion and partnership development. Events are fantastic relationship development and awareness development tools and Stephen is Carter McRae Events expert at developing strategies to maximize these outcomes.

Lori-anne Demers, MCC
LA Demers, Calgary

Lori-anne is a Master Certified Coach, Facilitator as well as a developer and trainer of Professional Coaching. Lori-anne was the visionary and co-founder of the Royal Roads Executive Coaching Certificate Program. She has 18 years experience in designing programs and processes, consulting in Communications and Coaching individuals and teams in performance as well as personal and professional goals. Lori-anne was nominated for The Woman of Distinction Awards in 2000 for her work in Training and Development.  Lori-anne focuses her business on coaching leaders in organizations and communities, training individuals in Professional Coaching and creating personal and professional growth workshops and retreats.  Her style is compassionate, forthright and energetic with a touch of humour when needed. She knows from experience the positive impact that coaching has to our leadership, performance, communications and relationships in our organizations, communities and families.

Cindy Daigle, Event Specialist
Hull Child and Family Services, Calgary

For over 10 years, Cindy has worked with numerous organizations within the Calgary market.  Her repertoire includes fund development, interpersonal skill development, special event management, public relations and facilitation. 

Her diverse knowledge and skill set as a consultant and facilitator enhances Cindy’s  passion and enthusiasm.  Currently, Cindy is the Communications an Event Specialist with Hull Child and Family Services. 

Jocelyne Daw, Vice President, Marketing and Social Engagement
Imagine Canada, Toronto

Jocelyne Daw joined Imagine Canada as Vice President, Marketing and Social Engagement in July, 2006.  In this role she oversees marketing, communications, membership and the organization's Caring Company program designed to increase corporate community support and corporate citizenship in Canada.

Jocelyne has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors working for heritage, arts and health organizations with a focus on marketing, social enterprise, corporate-cause partnerships and fund development.  She is a regular presenter on community-business partnerships and has been recognized by the American Marketing Association for her work in this growing field.

Jocelyne is the author of the book Cause Marketing for Nonprofits: Partner for Purpose, Passion and Profits (John Wiley/AFP, 2006).  The book is nominated for the American Alliance for Nonprofit Management 2007 Terry McAdam Book Award which recognizes the most valuable nonprofit management book published last year.

Ms. Daw is a graduate of the Université Libre de Bruxelles, French language program and has a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies and a Bachelor of Administrative Studies with an emphasis in non-profit management and marketing. Ms. Daw has a certificate in fundraising management and is a graduate of the Getty Museum Executive Leadership Institute.

Brian Duclos, CFRE
Calgary Zoo, Calgary

Currently the Calgary Zoological Society’s Senior Manager, Government Relations, Brian has worked as a fundraising executive and consultant since 1974.  He is experienced in directing and executing all aspects of fundraising programs (annual, capital and planned giving).  He is a key member of the Calgary Zoo’s team that has a goal in excess of $150 million. During his career he has also been on staff at SAIT Polytechnic, Strathcona Tweedsmuir School, Bishop’s College School and the Canadian Association of Youth Orchestras/Banff Centre.

Brian is a founding board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Calgary Chapter and was its president in 2000-01.  He was also a founder of the AFP Canadian Council and is the past chair of the AFP Canadian Government Relations Committee.  He currently sits on the board of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations as their Government Relations Chair and recently completed his second term on the Nominating Committee for CFRE International.  He instructs Ethics and Accountability, and Donor-Centred Fundraising courses at Mount Royal College. 

Febe Galvez
MANGO, Surrey, BC

Febe Galvez is the principal of MANGO fundraising communication.  She has recently completed an MA (Master of Arts) thesis that investigates the nature of argumentation used in the case for support. Hers is the first study in Canada into the language of fundraising and contributes to a small body of knowledge that is emerging south of the border. Her thesis was nominated, by faculty, for the Royal Roads University Outstanding Thesis Award (2006).

Tara Gish, Planned Giving Specialist
SAIT Polytechnic, Calgary
Tara has been a gift planner for over 9 years.  She worked her first three years in this industry concurrently with a wills & estates planning practice in Vancouver.  Wills planning had always been her favorite area of practice throughout the 13 years of her life as a lawyer, so the transition to gift planning at Kwantlen University College in Greater Vancouver was a natural one.

While in Vancouver Tara was a volunteer with the Planned Giving Committee of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster for a number of years.   She also volunteered with Leave a Legacy™ British Columbia.   After moving to Calgary with her artist husband Russell in 2001 she devoted herself fully to the not-for-profit world as a gift planner on the “charity side of the desk”.  She spent 5 years with the Canadian Cancer Society and currently works with the Alumni & Development team at SAIT Polytechnic.

Since moving to Calgary in 2001 Tara has volunteered with Leave A Legacy™, the Southern Alberta RoundTable of CAGP*ACPDP, and the national board of CAGP*ACPDP.  She has presented in many venues on wills & estates, gift planning, gift management, Christian stewardship, and personal communications.  Currently her volunteer time is filled as National Chair of CAGP*ACPDP and various national board committees, two voice choirs and one handbell choir.  Her dog Sasha keeps her sane (almost!). She enjoys conversations about nearly anything, but particularly about theology, psychology, sociology, philanthropy, travel, statistics, childhood memories and animal antics.

Bill Hallett
Bill Hallett Fundraising Counsel, Oakville

Dr. Bill Hallett, ACFRE, has worked in the not-for-profit charitable sector for over 30 years.  In 1998, after seventeen years with the YMCA Bill began practicing as a consultant.  From 2000 to 2003 Bill was contracted full-time to be the Vice President and Chief Development Officer at The Hospital For Sick Children Foundation, responsible for managing the philanthropic programs that raised $124 million during his three-year tenure.    In July 2003 Bill retuned to his consultancy practice - Bill Hallett Fundraising Counsel.  In 2004, he assisted in the creation of the Niagara Health System Foundation and is currently contracted as its President and CEO but still maintains a few other clients, predominantly YMCA’s.  Bill earned his doctorate in Physical Education Administration at the University of Alberta and has applied his skills as a secondary school teacher, university professor, coach and researcher to teach fundraisers and volunteers in the art and science of philanthropy.

Bill is well recognized as a seminar leader in topics related to capital campaigns, the acquisition of major gifts, strategic planning, the overall development of fund raising programs, board governance as it relates to philanthropy and the theory of philanthropy, he has spoken at numerous conferences, including the AFP International Conference on Philanthropy and at Toronto's AFP Congress and Fund Raising Day program several times.

Scott Hood, Statute Administrator
Service Alberta, Consumer Services Branch

Scott joined the Government of Alberta in 1989.  Since 1995 he has been involved with consumer protection legislation.  His responsibilities include the administration of the Charitable Fund-raising Act as the Minister’s Designate, Franchises Act and he has been delegated a Director under the Fair Trading Act.

Scott is Service Alberta’s liaison to the Charitable Advisory Committee.  Scott also contributed in the drafting of the Uniform Law Conference of Canada’s harmonized fundraising legislation.  In 2006 the Deputy Minister appointed Scott to the Leader’s Council of the Alberta Non-Profit/Voluntary Sector Initiative (ANVSI).  Scott is also a liaison to the Boards of the Alberta Association of Fundraising Executives (AAFRE) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Edmonton & Area Chapter (AFP).

Andrée Iffrig
Limegrass Productions Ltd., Calgary

Andrée Iffrig has listened to more than 20,000 stories in the last 20 years and told more than a few herself. Listening to stories and recording them for organizations has convinced her of the power of storytelling. Her book Find Your Voice at Work is bursting with examples of stories that any reader could tell – if only you found your voice at work. Andrée designs webinars and workshops for organizations that want to empower their employees and help them to communicate more effectively at work.

Julie D. Johnston, BA, CFRE
Canada West Foundation

Julie Johnston joined the Canada West Foundation as the Director of Fund Development in 2005. As a member of the organization's management team, Ms. Johnston will work with the President and CEO and Board of Directors to develop and implement a comprehensive fund development strategy aimed at significantly increasing the funding level of the Foundation into the future. Ms Johnston has a B. A. Honours in Development Studies from the University of Calgary and holds the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) professional certification. Julie joined Canada West Foundation after several years of professional fundraising work and many years of community volunteer service focused on unity issues, political education and training, and domestic violence issues. She is a board member of the Famous Five Foundation, founding member of Winning Women: A Political Skills Group, sustaining member of the Junior League of Calgary, and member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Kathleen Kloepfer, ACC
Creating Impact Ltd., Calgary

…A lifestyle of possibility, authenticity and abundance
Creating Impact was established by Kathleen Kloepfer in 1998. At that time, Kathleen saw an opportunity to start her own business with a special niche focus -- providing fundraising expertise to non-profit organizations. Overtime, her company has evolved and now concentrates mainly on Business and Personal Coaching. Kathleen has been coaching and mentoring professionals since 2000 and officially obtained her coaching certification in 2005. Her ability to work with professionals to achieve great results is substantiated by more than 25 years in the oil & gas sector and the non-profit sector as a successful consultant and entrepreneur.   Kathleen’s style is practical, grounded, analytical, organized, and sensitive. She brings compassion, enthusiasm, perspective, and humour. Kathleen approaches her assignments with focus, creativity and grace as she helps organizations and individuals identify their challenges and develop goals, objectives, strategies and commitments required to move onto new levels of success.

Naomi Kreutzweiser, Manager of Fund Development
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Saskatoon

Naomi Kreutzweiser is Manager of Fund Development for the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Saskatchewan Branch.  For the past decade, Naomi has practiced the principles of donor centred fundraising in a variety of development positions for charities throughout the heath, humanitarian, art and education sectors.  She is a strong advocate of donors and believes that every donor should receive a good giving experience.  Her role in the charitable sector is not limited to that of a fundraiser; but she is also a board member, volunteer and donor. She is a frequent speaker at local and National fundraising conferences.

Phil Levson, MSW, Vice President and Director of Development
STARS Foundation, Calgary

Mr. Levson is currently the Vice President and Director of Development for STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service Foundation) Air Ambulance (since March of 2003).  He has just completed a $25 million dollar Capital Campaign for 2 new helicopters.  Prior to this new position he was the Director of Fund Development and Planned Giving for the Calgary Foundation for six years. During his tenure with The Calgary Foundation, the Foundation received over 140 million dollars in donations.  He is past the Chair of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners for Southern Alberta.  He has worked in the public and non-profit sector for 24 years.
He has a Masters Degree in Social Work Management.

E.H. Guy Mallabone, MA, CFRE, Vice President – External Relations
SAIT Polytechnic, Calgary

Mr. Mallabone is a Certified Fund Raising Executive with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (marketing) from the University of Calgary and a Masters of Arts (Philanthropy) from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, USA.  Mr. Mallabone has worked in the non-profit sector since 1980.  He has served as the Director of Development for the Canadian Red Cross Society – Alberta-NWT Division and the University of Alberta. While at the university, he served as Chief Operating Officer for their successful $145 million fund raising campaign, the largest in Alberta’s history and the fourth largest university campaign in Canadian history.  Mr. Mallabone is an Adjunct Professor for the University of Bologna, Italy, for their Masters Program in Fund Raising and Social Responsibility; is an annual speaker at the International Fundraising Congress in Amsterdam; and is the co-author of “Motivating the Money Givers” The first in-depth national study to look at the motivators and barriers to philanthropic giving by entrepreneurs in Canada.  Guy is a former member of the International AFP Board of Directors and former member of CFRE International Certification Board, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Province of Alberta’s Charitable Advisory Committee. Guy is a popular speaker on fund development, national and internationally.

Ross W. Marsh
Ross W. Marsh & Associates Inc, Calgary

Ross has a diverse fundraising background with a solid track record of success in many types of development projects. From 1990 to 2004, Ross was with a major international fundraising consulting firm, eventually as President of the Canadian division, overseeing all aspects of client services and business management. In 2004, Ross established Ross W. Marsh & Associates to provide senior-level hands-on service to organizations in Western Canada. Ross’s broad experience on projects with goals from $500,000 to $200 million for every type of organization has resulted in his being recognized as one of Canada’s most experienced consultants. Based in Calgary, Ross works hands-on with clients in Western Canada, as well as major national organizations, to help them achieve their funding and management goals.

Katherine Morton
Independent Consultant, Calgary

Katherine Morton has worked in nonprofit management for six years, most recently as the Director of the Alberta Branch for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada where she started the Branch from scratch and in two years grew it to gross revenue of almost $1 million, secured facilities, hired staff, recruited a Board of Trustees, and managed all operations. Previous to nonprofit management Katherine has worked in social services, education, corporate marketing, and communications. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, completed the AFP First Course in Fundraising and will graduate with her Master of Business Administration in June 2007.

Pommashea Noel-Bentley, Director of Alumni and Development
SAIT Polytechnic

Pommashea Noel-Bentley joined SAIT Polytechnic’s management team in 2001.  As Director of Alumni and Development she is responsible for the Institute’s relationship building and fundraising.  Under her leadership, SAIT secured the largest single gift from an individual to a college or technical institute in Canada.

This follows a 7-year career at the Haskayne School of Business, U of C.  During her tenure, Pommashea developed the School’s alumni outreach program and took a leadership role working with business leaders on strategy, marketing and business development.   In 2003 she was the first Canadian to receive CASE’s prestigious Award for Outstanding Master’s Thesis for her work on leveraging the Balanced Scorecard to create and measure accountability.  Since that time, she has become known as a leader in strategic accountability and metrics in alumni relations and fund development.

Pommashea holds an MBA with Distinction from Athabasca University and is a director of the Canadian Council for Advancement of Education’s National Board (CCAE).  In 2005, she was recognized as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 business leaders.

Shawna Ogston
The Communicators - events & awareness inc., Calgary

Shawna Ogston has more than 15 years public relations experience in Calgary, with an affinity for working in the nonprofit sector. She understands how crucial it is to exercise corporate, community, government and media contacts creatively, on a consistent basis within tight budgets and demanding timelines. As a result Shawna has built strong, professional relationships. A Mount Royal College Public Relations graduate, her talents were honed while working at Volunteer Calgary, Theatre Calgary, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Calaway Park. She has lent her skills in a volunteer capacity to many committees including Vitalize, Leadership Calgary, AFP and the Our Millennium project.

Susan Pendray, President
Intrepid Star Consulting Inc., Calgary

Under Susan’s leadership, provincial and national organizations have raised millions of dollars. Susan has supported thousands of volunteers, board members and staff at every level across Canada. Susan is studying for her MBA.

Besides representing The Goldie Company of Toronto, as Alberta Regional Manager, Susan instructs in non-profit studies and business education at Mount Royal College(MRC) and Bow Valley College.

An AFP member since 1996, Susan has served a two-year term on the Calgary Board. She is a member of The Canadian Institute of Management, the MRC Academic Planning Committee, and the MRC Physical Education and Sport Advisory Committee. Susan salutes all 2007 attendees!

John A. Phin, CFRE
The Providence Centre, Calgary

This is John’s 23rd year as a professional fundraiser.  He has a track record of raising money, building sound fund development programs from scratch, and helping advance the mission of many organizations.  He is committed to continuing education and upholding internationally recognized standards of practice and ethical behaviour in his profession.

John is the Vice President of Resource Development & Community Relations at Providence Children’s Centre, where he is responsible for leading a team of professional fundraisers and volunteers as well as overall management of fund development, marketing and communications.  John’s experience includes employment with universities & private schools, health care foundations, social service and arts organizations.

He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism from Ryerson Polytechnic University, is a current Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).  John is a continuing member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), with Board & committee experience locally and internationally.  He is a Subject Matter Expert for the CFRE International certification exam, and a part time Instructor at Mount Royal College.

R.E. (Ron) Prokosch, CMC, CHRP
The Prokosch Group, Calgary

Ron has been consulting to individuals and organizations in Alberta since 1981. From 1985 to 2000, Ron led the establishment and development of Drake Beam Morin (a leading career services firm) in Alberta and Saskatchewan. During this time, Ron received the Drake Beam Morin Award of Excellence based on evaluations from candidates, corporate clients and contributions to DBM.  In 2000, Ron re-established his own consulting practice, The Prokosch Group.    Professional development has included certification in:  Career Architect ™; Producing Results with Others™; Orchestrating Team Performance ™ and as a Coach Facilitator by Corporate Coach University International. Ron is also qualified in the use of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Profiles International suite of assessment tools.  Ron is also a sessional and occasional instructor at the University of Calgary and has served on the University’s Senate.

Margie Puerta Edson

Stu Reid
Vice President, KCI-Ketchum Canada Inc.

Stu Reid is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences and has played a key role in advancing the development profession by acting as a coach and advisor to executives and non-profit organizations, and establishing innovative vehicles for private and philanthropic support.

His volunteer experience is equally as vast including serving as a Board Member and Campaign Chair of the Calgary Police Interpretive Centre, a member of the United Way of Calgary's Campaign Cabinet, a supporter of the Calgary Learning Centre and Executive Board Member on the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts.

Stephanie Robertson, President
SiMPACT Strategy Group, Calgary

Stephanie Robertson is President of the SiMPACT Strategy Group, a specialist agency in the areas of social impact management, valuation and performance measurement.  Stephanie has been an advocate of social return on investment (SROI) analysis as a tool to measure and communicate social value creation since 2002, when she incorporated SROI as a core element of her social entrepreneurship course teaching as an adjunct faculty member at London Business School.  Since then Stephanie has enabled numerous organizations to demonstrate their social value through use of SROI methodlogy.  The online educational tool, The SROI Primer, can be accessed at http://srio.london.edu.  She has a BA from Trent University and an MBA from London Business School. 

Gena Rotstein, Director
CentrePoint, Calgary

Mario Siciliano, President & CEO
Volunteer Calgary

Mario has been a senior leader in the nonprofit sector for the last eighteen years in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and, most recently Alberta.  Currently Mario is President and CEO of Volunteer Calgary. 

Mario has worked and volunteered for a wide variety of nonprofit sector organizations including small volunteer run grassroots organizations, to national and international charities, social service organizations, and sector capacity building organizations. 

Mario was among the first professionals in the nonprofit sector to complete his National Certification in Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector Management and has been an active fundraising professional in many of his roles.  Mario has steered his recent academic interests to the study of learning in the nonprofit sector, with the goal of supporting the development of nonprofit leaders, staff and volunteers.  Mario holds a Master’s Degree in Workplace Learning.

Mario’s passion for the nonprofit sector and volunteering stems from his belief in its importance in sustaining and developing the well being of our communities.  He believes that society could not function without the critical services that are provided by the voluntary sector. 

Vivian A. Smith, CFRE
Liberty Quest

Vivian Smith, CFRE, has 25 years experience working with organizations to better the human condition and build healthy communities. Vivian’s effective and ethical service in the charitable sector positions her as one of BC’s most successful consultants. Her fundraising strengths stem from a commitment to life-long learning and training. She is vice-president of AFP Vancouver’s Board and, as a graduate of AFP’s Faculty Training Academy, is certified to instruct at AFP educational sessions. Vivian also facilitates strategic planning workshops, volunteers for the Leadership Development Program, an initiative of Volunteer Vancouver providing training to not-for-profit board and staff, and instructs at BCIT’s Fundraising Management Program.

Mark Sollis
Advance U, Calgary

Mark Sollis recently completed a two-year tenure as Executive Advisor, External Relations at SAIT after starting his post-secondary career at Mount Royal College in Student Affairs and Administration. His areas of focus at SAIT included strategic counsel and project management within the areas of fund development, communications, marketing, and government and alumni relations.

Appointed to Alberta’s Commission on Learning in 2002, Mark led recommendations designed to improve the areas of early childhood development and the transitions to post-secondary education within Alberta’s education and community support continuum. This followed a notable career in student politics in which he served as Chair of the college students of Alberta, vice-chair of the national student organisation, CASA, and on Mount Royal’s Board of Governors. During that time, Mark focused on effective communication strategies, negotiating improved student finance and fee policies, and integrating lobbying strategies to other institutional stakeholders.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Applied Communications (Journalism) from Mount Royal. Currently, he is consulting in the field of communications and working in social services.

Ron Strand, MA CFRE, Principal
Strateo Consulting Inc, Calgary

Ron has about 20 years of consulting experience in fundraising, preceded by a career in business. He has consulted with over 40 nonprofit organizations across Canada.   In addition to consulting, Ron is a part-time member of the Faculty of the Centre for Communications Studies at Mount Royal College, where he teaches courses in fund development.  He is also an Instructor in the Continuing Education program at MRC, teaching in both the Fundraising and Nonprofit Management Certificate programs. Ron has written texts for these programs and helped to develop the online program in Nonprofit Management.

Gloria Stewart
Touch Communications, Calgary

Gloria has over twenty years experience in the fund development and direct response marketing specifically for the charitable sector.  Working with many of the largest local and national agencies, Gloria’s experience in direct mail, telemarketing, market research, lottery management, brand development and creative development bring a holistic perspective to the clients her company works with.

Gloria has been actively involved in the Calgary Chapter of AFP, having served as President of the Chapter and as a Co-chair of Philanthropy Day 2000 & 2001.  She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Chapter of the Canadian Marketing Association.  Currently, Gloria is leading a coalition called “Good for Business” – a grassroots movement of small and medium sized businesses dedicated to building the community investment capacity in Calgary.

Betty Thompson,  FCGA, Partner
Lo Porter Hetu, Calgary

Betty Thompson, FCGA, is a partner with the accounting firm of Lo Porter Hetu, an independent member firm of Porter Hetu International, in Calgary. Betty has focused her audit and accounting services on not-for-profit organizations. She presents a variety of seminars on financial, governance and related topics to not-for-profit audiences across Canada.

In a volunteer capacity, Betty serves as Vice-Chair, Finance on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations and also as Vice-Chair, Finance on the Board of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Betty has also been appointed to the Calgary Housing Company board and at a national level, Betty has been appointed to the Technical Issues Working Group with the Charities Directorate in Ottawa.

In 1994, Betty was honoured with a fellowship from CGA Canada for her service to the association and the community. In 2002, Betty received a lifetime achievement award from CGA Alberta and in 2003 was presented with the Kay Pringle Award from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her service to the Chamber and the community. In 2005, the Government of Alberta recognized Betty’s community service commitments with a Centennial Medal.

Katherine van Kooy, President and CEO
The Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

Since 2003, Katherine has led the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO) in its vision of Calgary’s voluntary sector working together with business and government to build a strong, vibrant community.  Katherine brings a diverse background to this role. She held senior public policy positions in Saskatchewan and Ontario at both municipal and provincial levels. She also taught management and public policy courses at the University of Regina. After moving to Calgary in 1998, she established a consulting practice focusing on organizational effectiveness and strategic management.  Katherine holds an Honours BA in Political Science from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Cornell University.

Craig White

Neil Williams, Sales Associate
Albi Homes Ltd.

Neil joined Albi Homes’ sales team in 2004 after 11 years in the charitable sector. Roles included serving as Director of Development for The Arthritis Society and Alberta Easter Seals. At Albi, Neil learned valuable lessons in how to effectively relate to current and prospective customers that he believes can help the fund development professional achieve their diverse long- and short-term objectives.