Award-Winning Social Impact Entrepreneur,
Resilience Advocate, Author & International Speaker
BRANDI LEIFSO is a trailblazing entrepreneur, resilience advocate, and the founder and CEO of Evio Beauty, a mission-driven beauty brand transforming the way we approach skincare and social responsibility.
Born here in the GTC Chapter, Treaty 13 territory to global refugees, his identity as a fundraiser was found at AFP Congress and he's spoken at almost every AFP Chapter in Canada over his 25 year career. Previously VP Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and the charity CanadaHelps during the birth of #GivingTuesday, he was a philanthropic advisor with a national wealth management firm in a trust company and spent 15 years working with charities from Universities to Churches. Paul is part of the Governing Circle of The Circle on Philanthropy, on the board of Word on the Street (Canada’s largest literacy festival), and on the editorial committee of The Philanthropist Journal. Paul serves as volunteer advisor to the art collective Space for Grief.com, and settler-led Indigenous campaign, One Day’s Pay.ca. He serves as founding faculty for the Master Financial Advisor in Philanthropy (MFA-P) program led by CAGP, Knowledge Bureau and Spire Philanthropy. He speaks to explore the intersection and tension between fundraising, philanthropy and generosity.
Director
Revolutionise International
Joining us from South Africa, as Director of Revolutionise International, Nyasha Njela, a Zimbabwean native brings over a decade of experience in humanitarian work including years at Doctors Without Borders SA. She remains committed to leveraging the power of community for greater social purpose and currently sits on the Steering Committee for Women in Philanthropy South Africa.
PARTNER
BROCCOLI
Brock Warner, CFRE is a recognized leader in the nonprofit sector and author of the bestselling From The Ground Up: Digital Fundraising for Nonprofits. He has raised millions of dollars, and developed successful campaigns, partnerships, and sector innovations, and co-founded Broccoli in 2021. Brock is a sought-after presenter throughout North America, and former professor of Integrated Marketing for Nonprofits at Humber College Business School in Toronto.
Chief Digital Officer
Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR)
Jason serves as Chief Digital Officer of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience which aims to build a digitally enabled nonprofit sector, where Canada’s diverse nonprofits use data and tech to advance their mission and multiply their impact. As an experienced digital executive and co-author of Bitcoin and the Future of Fundraising, Jason continues to design digital-first strategies that support operations, marketing, fundraising, and program delivery. Jason also serves as editor for Ledger, a journal focused on blockchain research and has previously contributed his expertise to the boards of Ontario 211 and NTEN, promoting the skillful and equitable use of technology.
Director, Product Marketing
raisin Software
For more than ten years, Tim has supported charities and nonprofits launch successful online fundraising campaigns with the raisin Software. His interest in social good began as undergraduate and graduate student, studying Political Science at Western and Wilfrid Laurier respectively.
Senior Manager, Technology
Pathways to Education Canada
With a background in Business Technology and years of experience in the non-profit sector Abdul bridges the gap between business needs and the thoughtful implementation of technology. His people-first approach has helped teams save over 40 hours a week through automation. His expertise includes building CRMs, ticketing systems and a variety of other tools designed to simplify donation and contact management. Abdul recently presented at the international Nonprofit Technology Conference 2025 (NTEN) and is currently Senior Manager, Technology at Pathways to Education Canada and Founder & Principal Consultant at Amplify Impact Inc..
Principal
Liz Rejman + Co
Liz has 25 years of experience in fundraising, working with social service organizations, arts groups, healthcare foundations, and higher education. Her expertise spans data management, prospect development, major gifts, capital campaigns, gift processing, policy creation, events, direct mail, and volunteer management. In 2023, Liz founded Liz Rejman + Co (www.lizrejman.co), a nonprofit consultancy focused on optimizing fundraising processes and systems. She lectured at Western University and Georgian College and has served as a past President of Apra and in several capacities with AFP. Liz has been a contributor to The Vigilant Fundraiser and co-editor and co-author of Prospect Research in Canada: An Essential Guide for Researchers and Fundraisers.
Visionary Marketing Leader | Creative Strategist | Brand Storyteller
Mark is a seasoned marketing and creative executive with over 20 years of experience driving brand innovation across global media, digital platforms, and nonprofit sectors. Currently serving as Vice President of Marketing at WWF-Canada, he leads national campaigns that blend data-driven insights with emotionally resonant storytelling to drive engagement and impact.
Mark’s career spans leadership roles at Verizon Media’s RYOT Studio, ASOS, DMG Media, and Condé Nast, where he consistently delivered award-winning branded content and digital experiences. His creative direction has fueled multimillion-dollar revenue growth, transformed user experiences, and elevated brand engagement across platforms like Yahoo, AOL, The Huffington Post, and more. His expertise spans digital marketing, branded content, design, and strategic communications.
Senior Development Officer, Philanthropy
Kids Help Phone
Samantha currently works with Kids Help Phone. Previously she worked in fundraising with a variety of cultural organizations, including ROM, TIFF, and several smaller museums and currently serves on the Board of Hand Eye Society and Sankofa Square. She is a researcher in the field of critical philanthropy studies and recent guest lecturer of graduate-level course titled “Critical Philanthropy Studies in Cultural Institution” which she both designed and taught at the University of Toronto. Samantha holds an MMSt, MI, and HBA from UofT and an MA from Queen’s and offers consulting support to small and equity focused nonprofits.
Principal Consultant
Learn with JPP
Jessica Pang-Parks, CVA is a volunteer engagement thought leader who helps organizations build trust, create impact, and inspire belonging. She has held professional volunteer and community engagement roles at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Pathways to Education Canada, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Volunteer Toronto, and WWF-Canada. Jessica is the recipient of the 2021 Alison Caird Young Leader Award in recognition of her leadership and excellence in volunteer engagement and the recipient of the 2023 VMPC Exemplary Leader Impact Award in recognition of her contributions to the field as a mentor, leader, trainer, and advocate. She lectures at Fleming College sharing her expertise as part of their Volunteer Management program. Learn more at www.learnwithjpp.com.
Founder & CEO
PLAI
Before PLAI, Kaz successfully led high-impact initiatives as Global Marketing Manager for Act for Peace and Business Development Manager for the Resilient Energy Collective, bridging grassroots nonprofits and corporate giants. She has worked with everyone from Tesla and Google to your local nonprofit. A graduate of the DSIL Innovation and Creative Leadership program, she specializes in systems thinking and human-centered design. She’s obsessed with behavioural psychology, learning design and the art of data. She’s on a mission to show how AI, paired with clear purpose and bold leadership, can unlock new possibilities for organizations working to make a difference in the world.
Self-Care Transformation Life Coach
Barbara Chambers, ACC, is a self-care transformation life coach who helps individuals navigate change with clarity, confidence, and purpose. She specializes in providing support through personal and professional transitions and is the founder of YDL Transformation Inc. and principal of Joshua Windsor Consulting. With over 25 years of experience as a marketing communications executive, Barbara blends emotional intelligence with strategic insight—empowering people and organizations to lead from the inside out and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Founder and Managing Director
Gerard Search
Phil is the founder of Gerard Search, Canada’s nonprofit sector recruitment experts. He launched the firm in 2012 to meet a need he knew firsthand: as a former fundraiser with over a decade of nonprofit development experience Phil brings deep sector insight to every search. He served five years as member of AFP Greater Vancouver Board and in 2024 he launched Phil’sJobs, a hiring platform built specifically for nonprofit sector. Phil remains committed to what he’s always cared most about: helping great people and great causes find each other.
Co-Founder
Monday Girl
Istiana Bestari is the Co-Founder of Monday Girl, the leading private members’ club dedicated to empowering the modern and ambitious woman to rise to the top and supporting her in staying there. Previously a Video Producer and YouTube Creator leading video campaigns for Air Canada, Korea Tourism, and Sun Wing, Istiana is a creative at heart reaching a combined audience of 23K across platforms.
Co-Founder
Monday Girl
Rachel Wong is the Co-Founder of Monday Girl, the leading private members’ club dedicated to empowering the modern and ambitious woman to rise to the top and supporting her in staying there.
Rachel has spent the majority of her career in high-growth startups and joined Uber in its early days to help launch the Uber Eats platform in key Canadian markets.
Senior Manager, Development
Water First
Jessica Rawn caught the passion for community service while still in high school and since then has been a professional fundraiser for 23 years. She earned her CFRE designation in 2009 and has worked with organizations like World Wildlife Fund, Ducks Unlimited Canada and CNIB. Through her work leading teams at the YMCA, Hospitals of Regina Foundation and, most recently, Water First she honed her experience in traditional annual giving, soliciting major gifts and developing planned giving infrastructure.
Director, Philanthropy
Toronto Foundation
Aneil Gokhale loves connecting donors to community. As Toronto Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy, Aneil counsels individuals, multi-generational families and professional advisors on philanthropic solutions including donor advised funds and private foundations. Aneil has proudly helped make Toronto Foundation the youngest and most diverse community foundation in North America, by bringing on over 250 young fundholders through a philanthropic MBA learning journey.
Prior to the Foundation, Aneil worked at United Way Toronto and GE Healthcare. He currently serves on the boards of Visions of Science and Myriad Canada, and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Toronto and CAGP.
President and CEO
Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
Sarah Midanik is an Indigenous professional who is passionate about increasing capacity and social impact across Indigenous communities. Born and raised near the historic Métis community of St. Albert, Sarah is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Cunningham family. She is currently the President & CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, a national charity that builds cultural understanding and creates a path towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
A dedicated volunteer, Sarah currently sits on the boards of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business and the Calgary Zoo. Previously, Sarah served on the CRA’s Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector and BGC Canada’s national board. Sarah is also a Founding Member of Honouring Nations Canada Circle of Advisors, a collaboration between Fulbright Canada and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. Sarah completed her MBA in the Indigenous Business and Leadership program at Simon Fraser University in 2023, was named one of The Peak’s Emerging Leaders of 2022, and one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: WXN Top 100 award winners for 2024.
Post Doctoral Researcher, Women in Philanthropy
Carleton University
For over three decades, Lisa Trefzger Clarke, M.Ad.Ed., Ph.D. has worked in teaching and learning; nonprofit and educational leadership; communications and community development; and social justice research. Committed to bridging theory to practice for the non-profit and charitable sector, Dr. Trefzger Clarke is the post-doctoral research associate of Women in Philanthropy at Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. She/they are also a sessional instructor at Trent University, instructing feminist perspectives on trauma for the Department of Social Work. As a queer and disabled advocate, Dr. Trefzger Clarke is a passionate volunteer and fundraising lead for Camp fYrefly Ontario.
Practice Lead & Senior Vice President
KCI Search + Talent
As the lead for KCI’s Search + Talent practice, Ellie Rusonik is an experienced executive and development professional with a successful track record leading many executive and senior-level searches. Her thoughtful, client-centred approach, combined with a strong grasp of organizational culture and sector-specific leadership, allows her to guide clients with clarity and confidence. Ellie is known for her ability to identify and engage exceptional talent, helping organizations build leadership teams that advance their mission and impact.
Prior to joining KCI, Ellie held an executive role at Geneva Centre for Autism and spent over 16 years with MS Canada in a range of fundraising and marketing leadership roles. She is a regular speaker on topics related to recruitment and talent management including equitable and inclusive hiring practices. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Membership Committee Co-Chair for the Network of Non-profit Search Consultants.
Program Manager for Healthy Capital
Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care
Ari Campbell has over a decade of experience in advocacy connecting sustainability, policy, and community engagement. She manages the Healthy Capital program at the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, supporting hospital foundations in integrating sustainability and climate considerations into investments. Previously, she helped divert over 250,000 tons of waste in Alberta and BC through large-scale zero-waste planning. She's also advanced national and provincial campaigns as an external relations specialist for a U15 university union, coordinating partnerships on issues from affordable education to sexual and gender-based violence prevention.
Chief Operating Officer
Rainbow Railroad
Becky McFarlane is the Chief Operating Officer of Rainbow Railroad, a global nonprofit that helps LGBTQI+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. With over two decades of leadership in LGBTQI+ communities, Becky has worked at the intersections of grassroots activism, service delivery, and movement building. At Rainbow Railroad, she leads organizational strategy and operations, ensuring resources are mobilized to meet urgent global needs. Becky brings a grounded perspective on the challenges facing LGBTQI+ movements worldwide, from the rollback of rights in the U.S. to shifting global aid priorities, and is committed to advancing equity and justice across borders.
Executive Director
Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST)
Candace brings extensive experience in consulting, project management, and operations to her role as Executive Director at BIST (Brain Injury Society of Toronto). With an educational background in commerce, learning development, and grant writing, she is committed to supporting brain injury survivors and their families through advocacy and community partnerships.
As both a professional and caregiver, Candace understands the critical importance of building social capital within vulnerable communities. She is passionate about ensuring BIST continues to provide essential resources and create lasting impact for those navigating brain injury recovery in Toronto.
CEO
Visions of Science
Dr. Eugenia Addy is a scientist, educator, and social entrepreneur. As the CEO of Visions of Science, she is dedicated to equitable STEM access and community transformation. With a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, Eugenia has over 15 years of experience developing youth initiatives in over 40 communities. She is a sought-after advocate, consultant, and thought leader in education and the social sector. She has made over 80 public appearances, including two TEDx talks and her work has been featured in notable publications like Toronto Life. She also contributes as an educational consultant and media personality for STEM initiatives. Eugenia serves on the boards of the Ontario Science Centre, the Toronto Foundation, and the Counselling Foundation of Canada.
Executive Director
Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care
Dr. Myles Sergeant is a family physician with over 25 years of experience caring for vulnerable populations, including newcomers, refugees, the elderly, and people experiencing homelessness and addictions. Recognizing the intersection between environmental issues and health, he is dedicated to addressing climate change issues and has co-founded PEACH Health Ontario, Trees for Hamilton, and Shelter Health Network. He is the Postgraduate Medical Education Director, Sustainable Healthcare at McMaster University, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Department of Family Medicine, and Lead MD for the Hamilton Family Health Team Green Initiative.
Executive Director
Impak Foundation
Dr. Fatemeh Alhosseini is the Executive Director of the Impakt Foundation for Social Change, a Toronto-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering refugees and newcomers. With a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology and Education from the University of Toronto, and as an immigrant herself, Fatemeh combines academic expertise with lived experience to drive systemic change. She is passionate about developing innovative approaches to fundraising and resource mobilization, ensuring that every dollar stretches further by leveraging existing infrastructure, partnerships, and community assets. Under her leadership, the Impakt Foundation has successfully built programs that avoid duplication, maximize collaboration, and create cost-effective, high-impact solutions such as the Shelter Hub, a first-of-its-kind model embedding refugee-focused services directly into shelters. Fatemeh’s work is guided by a belief in co-creation with newcomers, ensuring that programs are not only efficient and sustainable but also shaped by the voices and expertise of those they serve.
Director of Philanthropy
Ecojustice
Marlie Whittle is committed to building relationships that transform what is possible, making meaningful connections that further social and environmental justice. She gratefully resides on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. For nearly a decade, she has helped drive philanthropic investment into the environmental movement in Canada.
As Director of Philanthropy at Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity, she dedicates her career to securing vital partnerships for climate, biodiversity, and environmental health. She is proud to lead a team that invites new and longtime supporters to strive with Ecojustice for climate justice, healthy communities, and well-protected, thriving ecosystems in Canada.
Title
Company
O’neil Edwards, PhD, MBA (he/him) is an award-winning education professional who has two decades of senior leadership experience in education globally for non-profits, secondary schools and post-secondary institutions. During his over- twenty dedicated years of post-secondary leadership, O’neil has been instrumental in guiding planning processes to support the development of innovative programs and services that promote student retention, engagement, and success. O’neil has experience leading government working groups in addition to university and high-school boards in policies, programs and professional development towards organizational excellence, he continues to works for charities across Canada to support them in taking the next steps towards program excellence. O’neil has had the privilege of living and working in many different countries, bringing unique insights to his work. Building on a passion for developing people’s potential through education, O’neil continues to be part of programs that bring real social change.
Partnership Strategist
Colour the Trails
As a passionate ambassador for social change, Priya has spent her early career excelling in various forms and styles of fundraising. She began her fundraising career with Greenpeace New Zealand before moving into third party fundraising in Canada. In 2023 she stepped into the role of Partnership Strategist with Colour the Trails to raise funds through grants, business development, and public fundraising. She now works as a consultant as well as with Legacy+, fundraising for social impact projects. In all of her roles, she has sought values and mission alignment as a fundamental starting point for success.
Vice President, Philanthropy
Scarborough Health Network
Rea has 22 years in the sector, with over 13 years in senior leadership roles at hospital foundations and health charities where she has been directly involved in strategic and business planning while managing revenue and staff teams. Prior to joining Scarborough Health Network Foundation, Rea’s roles included Vice-President of Philanthropy and Strategy at North York General Foundation, National Director of Development and Marketing at Children’s Wish Foundation, and Vice-President of Development at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. She also worked at the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
In addition to her day-to-day duties, Rea serves as the Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Canada, the national voice for the fundraising profession. Most recently, Rea completed her Executive MBA at Kellogg-Schulich School of Business.
Director of Community Engagement Marketing
Neon One
Tim Sarrantonio is a Nonprofit Ecosystems Theorist studying the intersection of technology, human behavior, and organizational structures in modern giving. As chair of the Fundraising Effectiveness Project and through his work at Neon One, he has helped shape how thousands of nonprofits approach their mission. A speaker at AFPICON, NTC, and TEDx, Tim holds a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy. He lives in Niskayuna with his wife and three daughters, finding inspiration in the Adirondacks.
Chief Data Officer
GivingTuesday
As Chief Data Officer for GivingTuesday, Woodrow has been instrumental in shaping the global generosity movement and has led ground-breaking research and analysis of individual giving behaviors. He leads the GivingTuesday Data Commons, bringing together a coalition of more than 2,000 collaborators coordinated through eight working groups as well as data teams around the world to understand the drivers and impacts of generosity to inspire more giving of all types. Woodrow brings expertise in moving markets and transforming audiences from passive participants to active and vocal ambassadors. Woodrow is also the founder of With Intent Strategies, an international agency specializing in brand reimagination.
Woodrow is a member of the Generosity Commission Research Task Force, is a past Co-Chair for Global Impact Canada’s Board of Directors where he now serves as strategic advisor, and was previously a Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School.
General Manager, Charity and Donor Services
CanadaHelps
Julie Fiorini is the General Manager, Charity and Donor Services at CanadaHelps, Canada’s largest online donation and fundraising platform which has raised more than $3.5 billion over its 25-year history. Julie brings a diverse background in marketing, communications and fundraising to support Canadians on their generosity journey and drive much-needed donations to charities that are working each day to make our world better.
