1st Annual Canadian Regional Workshop

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Meet the Speakers

David Palmer, Vice President, Advancement, University of Toronto
Keynote | 9:30 - 10:45 am

Since 2007, David has served as Vice-President Advancement for the University of Toronto, Canada’s largest research-intensive university, with 80,000 students on three campuses and more than 540,000 alumni in over 180 countries. David has been leading the University’s ambitious Boundless Campaign since its public launch in November, 2011.  With a $2 billion goal, Boundless is the largest campaign in Canadian university history – an ambitious and necessary undertaking to help prepare the next generation of global citizens and to address today’s defining global challenges.  As of January 2015, the campaign is more than three-quarters of the way toward its goal.

From 1999 to 2007, David served as President and Executive Director of the Royal Ontario Museum Board of Governors (originally the ROM Foundation) where he led Renaissance ROM – a transformational campaign that re-defined the Museum’s financial resource base, its public brand, and its position as a major international cultural destination. Recognizing the Museum’s mandate that encompasses both world civilizations and natural history, he made a priority of reaching out to Canada’s Japanese, South Asian, Chinese, Ukrainian, Italian, Greek and other communities locally and nationally. The Renaissance ROM Campaign, unique in Canada for its inclusiveness, generated an enormous sense of pride and engagement among these diverse communities, exemplified by a landmark gift from Michael Lee-Chin to name the Museum’s new building.

David Palmer is a Senior Fellow of Massey College, an executive committee member of the National Council of Foundation Executives, and a director of the Earth Rangers Foundation. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in musicology from Princeton University and began his career as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Music at The University of Western Ontario, his undergraduate alma mater. After his first foray into development and marketing at Orchestra London, David would return to Western to lead a ground-breaking campaign for the University of Western Ontario’s School of Business Administration. These efforts resulted in its being renamed the Richard Ivey School of Business, ushering in a new era in professional-faculty fundraising in Canada. 

In recognition of his strategic and principled approach, and for helping redefine the fundraising potential for several charitable sectors in Canada, David was recognized in 2011 with the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Michelle Waller, Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations, SickKids Foundation
1A: How to Build a Comprehensive Stewardship Program (Without Losing Your Mind)

Michelle serves as the Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations at SickKids Foundation in Toronto. She manages a comprehensive stewardship and donor recognition program that consistently promotes ‘best in class’ donor experiences for donors at all levels. Michelle has more than 15 years’ experience in development, communications, project management, event coordination and strategy. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management.

Christine Martysiewicz
1B: Engaging and Collaborating with Corporate Partners

Formerly Director of Public Relations for RE/MAX, Christine was responsible for all national and regional communications endeavors. Christine also played an integral role in brand management, advertising, recruitment, retention and directly supported the sales force through marketing and promotions.

Christine is a trailblazer when it comes to propelling charitable-giving initiatives.  Under her direction, millions of dollars have been raised through the RE/MAX Miracle Home Program to support Children’s Miracle Network – the relationship surpassing $55 million raised.  She also led, designed and developed the partnership with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, raising cumulative $4 million.  She was instrumental in the launch of the Home for a Cure Program, which raises funds and awareness for the cause.   Due to her commitment, RE/MAX Realtors have strengthened families and their local communities through charitable involvement. 

Her dedication to RE/MAX over the years earned her the RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Distinguished Service Award, the Children’s Miracle Network Spirit Award and Leadership Award from Salt Lake City. Christine’s efforts, along with those of thousands of realtors earned the designation as the top region in Canada for Children’s Miracle Network contributions on countless occasions.

Christine’s passion for cause, energy, enthusiasm, and commitment has made a remarkable difference in the nonprofit community, resulting in tens of millions raised for nonprofits across Canada.

Anne Manner McLarty, President, Heurista, Co., Barnadsville, NC
1C: Live Collaboration: An Interactive Session on Donor Stewardship

Anne Manner-McLarty is the president and lead consultant for Heurista, a multi-disciplinary firm dedicated to improving donor relations, thereby enhancing donor engagement and increasing philanthropic giving. This work draws upon Anne’s experience and reputation as a thought leader in donor recognition and stewardship program planning. She has been working in this field since the mid-1990s and just completed her term on the board of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals. Heurista is based in Asheville, North Carolina, with clients throughout the continental U.S. (and an interest in expanding into Canada!)

Stephen Gardner, President/Executive Producer, Gardner Productions, Toronto
2A: The Power of Video Storytelling

Stephen Gardner is first and foremost a storyteller. Through powerful images, strong story content and strategic strategies, his work through Gardner Productions has created powerful fundraising videos and commercials with Toronto top’s Advertising and Marketing agencies representing powerful brands. These include Medical and Life Science brands including The University Health Network, The Hospital for Sick Children, Life Sciences Ontario; financial brands including Manulife, Scotiabank, CIBC, MasterCard, and VISA; legal brands including the Law Society of Upper Canada, TORYS, Miller Thompson, ProBono Law. Gardner Productions brings a human face and a human element to everything we produce. Therefore the final product always relates to the audience.

A graduate of Masters of Journalism at Carleton University, Stephen has worked as a broadcast producer, director and writer for the CBC’s The National & The Journal, CBC Newsworld, and CTV’s National News and Canada AM. After working on the news and features side of the business, Stephen moved on to producing in-depth documentaries for TSN, Vision TV, TVOntario and Discovery Channel before establishing Gardner Productions in 1995. 

Stephen also donates his time and Gardner Productions for a wide array of national and local charities across Toronto and Canada.

Jeff Gignac, Chief Solution Architect, JMG Solutions
2B: Impacting Positive Relationships with Raiser's Edge

JMG Solutions is one of the only Blackbaud Service Delivery Partners in Canada and one the first (Non Blackbaud employee) to obtain an official Raiser’s Edge Associate and Professional Certification from Blackbaud. As a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) his experience is unequaled in Canada having worked with a variety of over 500 local, national and international nonprofits. Since 1992, after starting out as a consultant with Ernst & Young, Jeff has served a growing demand for specialized Blackbaud and Raiser’s Edge services unique to Canadians.

Jeff is a published author with other experts like Mike Johnston, Ted Hart and Ken Burnett on capital campaigns, major gifts, knowledge discovery, prospect research, online and integrated fundraising. He is a world renowned presenter and trainer sharing best practices and tips with colleges, universities, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy and Blackbaud. Jeff has been a professor for Humber College Fundraising and Volunteer Management program since its inaugural year in 1999 including design, development and implementation of courses for Raiser’s Edge and prospect research still used today.

Together with a powerful range of first hand experiences, Jeff has a diverse portfolio of skills and insights to line up fundraising needs with technology that actually produces tailored outcomes that work. He simply gets it – what challenges fundraisers face, the goals they are trying to achieve, the importance of respecting supporters, and many of the methodologies being deployed to serve sophisticated fundraising strategies to meet ever-increasing demands from all directions. All this is done within current Canadian regulations, guidelines and best practices.

Ayesha Mayan, Director, Annual Giving, McGill University Advancement

With over twelve years of experience in higher education, Ayesha Mayan currently holds the position of Director of Annual Giving at McGill University.   Ayesha has focused her career in the areas of annual giving, donor engagement and stewardship, development strategy, and talent management.  Driven by the love of advancing education, she is always looking for opportunities to connect her passion of meaningful communications through technology with philanthropy, and has helped McGill forge new ground into the world of web-based fundraising programs.

Ayesha’s approach centers around the idea of Appreciative Inquiry, and she has used this concept to help build on strengths both in organizational structure and programming, as well as individual professional development.

Ayesha is a frequent speaker and panelist at CCAE, CASE and other international conferences, and enjoys learning from and sharing with professionals in the field of advancement.

Jessica Veitch, Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation
3A: Internal Champions: How to Engage Internally for External Successes

Jessica Veitch is the Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer at Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation. Coming from a diverse professional background, Jessica has spent the last eight years translating and growing her skills and knowledge straight into a career in Donor Relations—specializing in donor recognition and capital projects in both community organizations and healthcare. Jessica studied photography and jazz performance, and is currently enrolled in the Design Management certificate program at Ryerson University.  Jessica has been a member of ADRP since 2008 and has participated in conferences, publications, and best practice development for the organization.






Marian Johnson, Manager, Donor Relations and Stewardship, Baycrest Foundation
3A: Internal Champions: How to Engage Internally for External Successes

Marian Johnson is the Manager of Donor Relations & Stewardship at Baycrest Foundation in Toronto. Marian has a BA in Sociology from McMaster University and a certificate in Non-profit & Voluntary Sector Management from the Raymond Chang School of Continuing Studies at Ryerson University. She has completed CAGP’s Original Gift Planning Course, the Harvard ManageMentor Development Series and the LEADS in a Caring Environment Learning Series. Marian is a member in good standing of ADRP and AFP – Greater Toronto Chapter. More than ten years in not-for-profits – and over seven years in progressively responsible roles at three major Toronto hospitals --- have allowed Marian to hone her skills, knowledge and experience in strategic donor relations practices.

Cam Shapansky, CEO, BlueNorth
3B: Collaborating with Donors

An industry thought leader, speaker, and advocate with more than 10 years of experience in social sector fundraising and program development, Cam has led change management, strategic planning, and executive coaching initiatives with dozens of nonprofit organizations including World Vision -- Canada, U.S., and International, Opportunity International, Bethany Christian Services, EMF Broadcasting, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Living Water International. Cam divides his time between Blue North’s Canadian and Northern Californian offices.









Susan Rankin, Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations, University Advancement, McMaster University
3C: Customized Stewardship Strategies for Your Top Donors

Susan Rankin is the Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive stewardship and donor relations program as part of the University Advancement team.

Susan has presented at numerous conferences for CCAE (Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education) and CASE (Council for the Advancement & Support of Education) on topics including Stewardship Today: Managing & Exceeding Expectations; Pro-Active Stewardship; Stewardship: It’s everyone’s Job; Engaging alumni at a distance; Managing your advancement career; and Effective event and volunteer management. Susan is a past board member of CCAE and co-chaired the 2009 National Conference.  In addition, Susan was President of CCAE-Ontario and chaired the CCAE National Awards, Prix d’Excellence from 2009-2012.