2015/2016 Fellows

Rebecka is a proud Indigenous female who is a member of Aundeck Omni Kaning, First Nation, a very small reserve located in Northern Ontario. She is a recent graduate of the Social Service Worker (AEI) Aboriginal Emphasis Initiative Program, Honours from Sir Sandford Fleming College. She has lived away from home for eight years. She knew there was more to life, than the small boundaries of her own community, so she took the initiative to move away. Rebecka wanted to explore life, and the vast opportunities life had to offer. Most importantly, so she can get an education, and break the barriers, that Indigenous youth face in today’s society. Rebecka started working with the development team at Indspire, in May 2015. Her previous work experience has allowed her to work closely with Indigenous youth, children, adults and elders. As a recent graduate, she would love to gain as much experience as she can in the not-for-profit sector, and she feels that this program would be a perfect added opportunity on achieving her future educational goals.

Salomeh Ahmadi is a creative community builder. She has been working in community development for over six years. Her passion is engaging and empowering communities in order to unleash opportunities. She loves to come up with new solutions to complex problems through collaboration and creativity. She has founded the group Rexdale Lab, works currently for Pathways to Education and sits on the Lakeshore Arts Board and with AVNU.ca as Advisory. She successfully facilitates process efficiency through workshops, consultations and resource sharing in various areas in non-profit and is passionate to help social causes flourish. Follow her on Twitter @SalomehA

Cheryl is Assistant Vice-President, Audience at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Her responsibilities include ensuring a quality experience, managing the front of house and audience research. Cheryl is the main point of contact for our 1300+ vibrant Volunteers, and she leads the ROM's Community Access Network which she has grown into more than 40 partnerships with groups across the GTA. Cheryl’s leadership and commitment to inclusion has grown this area into a highly successful part of the ROM where the Museum regularly achieves high satisfaction levels amongst visitors, and win awards for innovation in all aspects of access and community building.

Tania Cheng is the Development and Operations Manager at Ontario EcoSchools, an organization that delivers environmental education and certification to a network of over 1,750 schools across the province. In her role, Tania is responsible for fundraising, strategic planning, organizational development, and program evaluation. She received her Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) from the University of Waterloo and is currently completing her Master in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership through Carleton University. Since 2011, she has served on the the Board of Directors for The Otesha Project, a charity that combines bicycle tours and theatre to promote environmental sustainability across Canada. Tania is passionate about social innovation, youth engagement, sustainability, social justice, diversity and inclusion, and design. She aspires to revolutionize the nonprofit sector and build capacity in social impact organizations that make the world a better place.

Frankie Chow is a passionate donor and fundraiser with over 4 years of experience working with not-for-profit organizations. Having been involved with philanthropy and volunteerism all his life, Frankie pursued his career in the not-for-profit sector through the Fundraising Management Program at Humber College. A lover of all things digital, technical, and social - Frankie has a keen interest in social media, digital marketing, and database technology to support data-driven fundraising campaigns. Frankie is currently the Coordinator, Database & Analytics at Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation and also worked with a variety of other organizations such as Hospice Toronto, Belmont House, and Villa Charities. He is also involved with the professional fundraising community through his volunteer work with conferences that promote networking and learning for his fellow fundraisers such as Be Good Be Social in Toronto and York Region. Frankie is very excited to be a part of the AFP Diversity Fellowship Program and having the opportunity to examine ways he can bridge together the Chinese community with Canada’s passion for philanthropy. View all posts by Frankie >

Eugenia Duodu holds PhD in chemistry from U of T and as an advocate for community development and engagement brings an invaluable passion for diversity and collaboration within communities. Eugenia is also the CEO of a community-focused science organization, Visions of Science Network for Learning that promotes STEM engagement to marginalized, low-income youth. At a global level she has participated several in global community initiatives in Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad. Her aim is to be one that leaves a legacy, not only for what she has achieved but also for what she has done for her community and the global community at large.

Toni Francis was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa before immigrating to Canada in 2001. From an early age she was passionate about serving under-resourced and marginalized folks in her community, starting her volunteering in elementary school with her local rotary club. Since immigrating to Canada she has committed her training, work and volunteer experiences to be equity-focused, advocating for resources, supports, services and policies that will facilitate the capacity-building and empowerment of marginalized communities and equity-seeking groups including women and children survivors of violence, individuals with precarious status, newcomer and immigrant communities , and individuals accessing social assistance. Over the last several years Toni has worked in non-profit and social service organizations coordinating public education, communications, community outreach and engagement programs/projects. Her most recent role as the Coordinator of the Peel Committee against Woman Abuse (PCAWA) saw her advocating for and coordinating a comprehensive and effective response to violence against women across the Region of Peel. Her significant responsibilities included grant writing, managing funded projects in their entirety, planning outreach events, managing staff and volunteers and partnering on collaborative projects with equity-seeking organizations across Ontario. Toni aspires to grow an expertise in fundraising, philanthropic strategy and advising, innovative community programming and social impact investing. Toni holds an M.A. in Women Studies, and an Honours B.A. in Communications and International Development Studies from York University.

Melodie was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. A University of Toronto graduate, Melodie has spent her career working in non-profits. Melodie has worked for CNEWA Canada since 2012. Based in Ottawa, Catholic Near East Welfare Association supports Eastern Christians and churches, primarily in the Middle East. As Development Officer, she implements fundraising activities and shares about CNEWA’s international work. Prior to CNEWA, she volunteered and worked for NET Ministries of Canada. Melodie continues to volunteer with various initiatives, sharing her musical talents and mentoring young adults. She is passionate about making a difference in the world around her. You can find her at http://ca.linkedin.com/in/melodiegabriel and @melodiegabriel.

Growing up in South Asia and the Middle East, Tania witnessed poverty and marginalization first-hand. It was her experiences living abroad that has taught her the importance of giving back.Tania’s previous work experiences include being an outreach speaker for an international development organization, working at a consulting firm supporting charities with their capital campaigns and as a youth leader and mentor for immigrants and refugees at a youth organization for two years. Currently, she is working with Humber River Hospital and its donors in supporting their $225 million campaign to build the first fully digital hospital in North America.

Mam Joof was born and raised in Sub Saharan Africa, including Senegal, Namibia and Tanzania. From a young age she believed that everyone has the power to make a difference in this world. She has worked in the not for profit sector for over 4 years and continues to contribute the development of organizational policies and practices on diversity and inclusion throughout the sector. She is currently the Stewardship Coordinator for Community Food Centres Canada, an organization that empowers communities to work toward a healthy and fair food system across Canada.

Mimosa is currently working at Soulpepper Theatre as a Development Manager. Upon completion of Humber College’s Fundraising Management program, Mimosa began her not-for-profit career in special events and sponsorship. Mimosa holds a BA Honours degree in Global Development Studies and History from Queen's University and is currently working towards a MA in Communications at the University of Leicester. She is a consultant and workshop facilitator for the Youth Advocacy Training Institute. Mimosa is also a bookworm, pop culture enthusiast, wannabe globetrotter and sometimes blogger. View all posts by Mimosa >

Sara is currently the Autism Spectrum Disorder ConnectABILITY Project Coordinator at Autism Ontario. Since 2012 she has worked as a project manager in a variety of industries such as IT, eLearning, Film and Fundraising. From the age of 17 Sara worked in the field of Indigenous advocacy as a researcher for land and human rights claims. In 2010 she attained an MA in Public Archaeology from University College London with a thesis about First Nations cultural resources ‘co-management’ in Ontario. Sara counts herself lucky, having survived a polar bear encounter on an excavation in Nunavut and for finding a new line of work that does not require one to carry a double-barreled shotgun. Sara is very much looking forward to the AFP Inclusive Philanthropy Fellowship: meeting the other fellows, connecting with her mentor and learning more about the ever-evolving field of fundraising. Sara lives in Toronto and in her spare time sings with The Annex Singers.

As a postgraduate of Humber College's Fundraising and Volunteer Management program, Alana is currently the Coordinator of Donor Stewardship at The Living City Foundation. She has over 5 years of fundraising experience including performing a similar role for a large charity in Australia before returning to Canada in 2013. Alana developed a strong passion for the non-profit sector during her employment with the Reena Foundation - a non-profit social service agency which supports children, adults and seniors with developmental disabilities.

Hope Lovell is the Volunteer Coordinator and development assistant at the Downtown Mission of Windsor. Joining the Mission two years ago Hope was quickly enamored with its ability to affect a difference in providing basic needs, as well as a sense of community and purpose, to the impoverished in her community. The past two years have been a whirl-wind of fundraising activities and volunteer development. Through the opportunity provided by this fellowship Hope is excited to expand her knowledge of the fundraising profession and apply those skills to help the Mission maintain and grow their programs and services.

Lucia has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 7 years and has a range of experience from working with government grant funding programs and large performing arts organizations to managing a small grassroots organization. Currently, Lucia is the Fund Development Officer at Sandgate Women’s Shelter, an organization that prides itself in working within a feminist, intersectional and anti-racist/anti-oppressive framework. A passionate traveller, Lucia feels most at ease while completely lost in a different culture and discovering what the world has to teach her. Lucia is delighted to be part of the Fellowship in Inclusion and Philanthropy and is looking forward to learning from her peers and mentors!

Lorena Muñoz is the Development & Donor Relations Manager at Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation, where she’s putting to use a versatile fundraising skill-set. She’s a graduate of the Fundraising Management Program at the Humber Institute of Technology, and completed her internship with the Corporate Partnerships team at Habitat for Humanity Canada. Lorena’s special interest is implementing strategic development initiatives and believes the road to success is trying. Based in Toronto, she’s determined to uncover the secrets of how to be a great storyteller. She holds a master’s degree in International Development & NGO Management. You can find her at: ca.linkedin.com/in/lorenamm/

Dulaa Osman is in his final year at the University of Toronto Scarborough majoring in City Studies and Minoring in Human Geography and African Studies. Dulaa Graduated from the United Way’s Creative Institute for Toronto’s Young Leaders where he received a co-certificate in leadership from United Way Toronto and University of Toronto’s Faculty of Social Work. He is a voting member at the United Way Toronto and apart of the United Way Young Leaders Speakers Bureau. Dulaa is current member of ArtReach Toronto Youth Grant Committee. He has been a panelist at Let’s Talk Toronto, Good Green Jobs for All and Toronto Community Environmental Forum.

Irshad Osman is a non-profit professional with extensive experience in corporate fund raising, project management, relationship building, and inter-faith activities. He is currently the Director of Development at Silent Voice Canada, a social service agency that serves the Deaf community in the GTA. Irshad Osman volunteers his time with many Toronto-based organizations. He serves as the Director of Interfaith Relations, Cordoba Centre for Civic Engagement and Leadership and as a Steering Committee Member of ISARC and TAIC, Toronto-based coalitions to take action against poverty in Ontario. He is also a frequent guest speaker at institutions where he promotes greater inter-community relations, co-existence, and active citizenship. Prior to joining Silent Voice Canada, Irshad Osman worked as a Resource Development manager at United Way Toronto overseeing a fundraising portfolio worth of 3.5 Million Dollars. He holds a graduate degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of Manchester, UK and undergraduate degree training in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Leiden, Netherlands and Naleemiah International University, Sri Lanka.

I work for Trillium Health Partners Foundation as a Development Coordinator as part of the Community Initiatives team. I have been in fundraising for over 5 years and have been involved with AFP for over 2 years now. I am apart of the Young Leaders Council Events Committee with United Way of Peel where we engage the community by executing events to gain a better understanding of issues concerning youths, along with how to improve youth leadership. Also, I am on the AFP Peel Region Education Committee, where we put together professional development workshops, webinars and networking events. In my spare time, I like to go for walks in areas I have not been to yet.

Mohit Pramanik is an international development professional with a strong background in maternal, newborn and child health issues. After working in the field in Geneva and in Sub-Saharan Africa, Mohit now works for an international NGO called Save the Children Canada overseeing partnerships that the organization has fostered with Canadians. Through Mohit’s work he helps Canadians realize their vision of a more equitable world for the most marginalised children, families and communities in developing couantries. Mohit holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree from McGill University and a Master’s degree in International Health Systems from The Johns Hopkins University.

Shehzad is passionate about the not-for-profit sector and places a great value in family, relationships, health and the community. He is a Corporate Development Specialist at The Arthritis Society. Shehzad comes to the not for profit sector after over 20 years in the corporate sector where he worked  as an engineer, management consultant, corporate account manager and project manager. Shehzad has an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona. His interests include biking, swimming and skiing.

Sarah Midanik is a Métis professional who is passionate about building capacity within community. Sarah works at Indspire, a national charity working to advance education outcomes for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. As a communications and development professional, Sarahis responsible for the management of all national events and stakeholder engagement initiatives at Indspire. She was also responsible for managing a national mentorship program for Indigenous post-secondary students. Sarah is also an active volunteer within the Indigenous community, serving on the Founding Council of Young Indigenous Professionals, and as a mentor for the Inclusion Works program with the Aboriginal Human Resource Council. View all posts by Sarah >

Angela is from Cote First Nation, SK. she graduated from University of Regina with a bachelor of administration and has been working with non-profit, fund raising for the past 6 years and has 15 years’ experience in administration. Angela has worked for a non – profit in Winnipeg for 3.5 years before she started working with Indspire as development assistant. In her current role she assists with the individual giving campaign/Government matching campaign and assistant to vice – President, Development. Angela enjoys working with fundraising and has enjoyed learning all about individual and corporate giving.

Dolly Singh is the Senior Development Manager at William Osler Health System Foundation. She has been a dedicated fundraiser for 8 years supporting the redevelopment of Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness, Etobicoke General and the ongoing equipment needs at Brampton Civic Hospital.  She is committed and determined to make a difference in her community through philanthropy. Along with being a fellow with the Inclusion and Philanthropy Program with AFP and has also recently joined the AFP Peel Region Education Committee.

Winsome Smith is an experienced worker with over 15 years’ working in public, non-profit and public organizations. An excellent communicator and negotiator with strong analytical, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Winsome did extensive work in Jamaica raising over $500,000 to help HIV positive children and those in need of care and protection. Presently she volunteers as Chairperson at New Hope Community Church in Toronto and work with a team to send volunteer workers to Haiti annually. Winsome holds a MEd. from Mount Saint Vincent University, Post Bac. Certificate in Public Administration from Ryerson University and BA. Guidance and Counselling

Muneeb Syed has been involved in fundraising and the non-profit sector for over ten years. Currently, he is the Associate Director of Development for University-Wide Initiatives at Ryerson University, where he focuses on advancing the University’s development priorities. Prior to this he worked with UNICEF Canada, Community Living, TakingITGlobal, and Georgian College. He currently volunteers for Canadian Arab Institute, and previously has volunteered for various organizations such as Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, Youth Assisting Youth, Toronto Youth Cabinet, Peel Multicultural Council and the Maytree Foundation. Muneeb completed his undergraduate education from York University in Public Policy Management and Marketing. You can find him at: ca.linkedin.com/in/muneebsyed and @msyed. View all posts by Muneeb >

I have worked in the not-for-profit sector in design, communications and fundraising for most of my career, both in Canada and in Zimbabwe, my home country. Currently I am enjoying my role in resource development at the Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support (MCRS) in Kitchener-Waterloo. There is an African Proverb; “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, you must go together.” The power of partnership and community is a vastly under used resource in our society, and I look forward to developing more of both through my involvement with the AFP.

Andrea Thompson has been a fundraising practitioner with the Canadian Cancer Society for the past 3 years. In her role as Manager, Corporate Engagement in the National Office, she provides program management leadership for a portfolio of cause-related marketing and independent fundraising event partnerships. She also provides oversight for donor services processes. She thoroughly enjoys the stewardship and database aspects of her work. She’s a member of the AFP Toronto chapter.

Passionate about social innovation, Uma’s committed to making a meaningful difference in her community. At The Boston Consulting Group, she fostered positive business and community impact leading marketing and social impact efforts in Canada. At CIBC, Uma managed an $8.5MM national employee United Way campaign and a national youth scholarship with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA. As a city builder, she engaged the next generation of leaders when she led United Way Toronto’s GenNext program. An Ivey MBA graduate and recipient of the 2010 Ivey Global Emerging Leader award in Community Advancement, Uma’s excited to be a 2015 AFP Fellow.