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The creation of empowering opportunities for disadvantaged individuals is perhaps the sole reason why I find charity work inspirational. My first philanthropic experience was at the age of 16 years-old when I volunteered at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to meet my high school’s graduation requirements. Since then, I have never thought twice about lending a hand for a good cause and I believe much of this has to do with being raised by a grandmother who worked tirelessly in a homeless men’s shelter. Qualifications include: a B.A. Honours Degree from YorkU and Fundraising Certificate from George Brown College (in progress). 3,200 volunteer hours and 3 years of work experience in development-focused positions in the nonprofit sector, from humble beginnings at Movember Canada, to interning under the Champions Giving Program at Right To Play, to my latest position as the Interim, Philanthropy Officer at the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. As part of the steering committee of the, Get Moving First Program, at the Afghan Women’s Organization, I have taken the initiative to launch summer fitness programs for newcomer women and girls living in the Jane/Finch and Flemingdon Park neighbourhoods. At this time, I work in higher education while simultaneously growing my fitness business and its philanthropic initiatives. To chat/connect, please add me on Linkedin.

Amanda Mitchell is new to the fundraising and the philanthropic sector and is excited to be part of the AFP Fellowship in Inclusion and Philanthropy Program. Amanda is Mohawk/Algonquin and member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Amanda is inspired to share her culture and perspectives. She has been a key member of her community organizing events and volunteering. She is a talented fancy and jingle dress dancer.

In 2007, Amanda moved to Ottawa to expand her western education. She followed her creative passion to the beauty industry where she graduated and worked in the spa industry for four years. While working she continued her education and graduated in an administrative program that feeds her need to coordinate and organize. It was her goal to use her natural and combined education in organization and problem solving skills with national organizations, this allowed for placements at the Native Women’s Association of Canada where she increased her interest with current Indigenous issues. The experience she has gained developed a strong passion for fundraising and raising awareness on Indigenous issues.

Building from her education and natural skills in 2014 she enrolled into St Lawrence College that brought her to The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. This is when she knew she wanted to pursue her career in fundraising and philanthropy. Amanda wants to help by creating awareness through educating and engaging communities and organizations in reciprocity and help organizations and other Canadians start on their journey to reconciliation. Working on initiatives for The Circle allows her to pursue and gain more experience about the work she’s passionate about. Amanda is constantly learning and improving. She is the newly named Coordinator, Engagement of The Circle. She lives in Ottawa with her amazing son, Mason.

My name is Zaina-Sophie Salibi, and I am thrilled a senior colleague informed me of the opportunity to become part of the AFP Fellowship in Inclusion and Philanthropy.

I had many dreams as a child and  teenager (and still do), but found my purpose in life volunteering with the sick and elderly, and also during an internship in Ethiopia made possible by the Coady International Institute.

I hope to be the best fundraiser I can be, which is why I am honoured to learn from the AFP and its Fellows during the next 8 months… and hopefully beyond!

I obtained a B.A. in History from uOttawa in 2004, as well as a Graduate Certificate in e-Publishing from Algonquin College in 2010. I am currently studying Administration Studies and in my spare time, I read, study languages, and listen to podcasts while cooking or cleaning.

Wanjiro Ndungu is an experienced professional with over 20 years in the non-profit and public organisations. She is a fundraiser with a broad experience in supporter care and donor retention and has been managing the Supporter Services team at Greenpeace Canada for the past 6 years. She put together a robust retention strategy for donors who contact the organisation to cancel their monthly donation and the save rate for these supporters has risen from 4% to 31%. She is passionate about building long-term, strong relationships with supporters and making them feel good about their contribution and believes this is the best way to tackle donor attrition. She is looking forward to being able to contribute to the development of organisational policies that promote diversity and facilitate empowerment of marginalised communities.

My strong passion for fundraising and philanthropy was developed through my experience working as a Call Centre Supervisor at my university’s Annual Giving department and volunteering with the university’s Student Philanthropy Council. Currently I work in Resource Development with Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support which has made me aware of the struggles of people, especially youth, from diverse cultures. The experiences I have gained has contributed immensely to what I want to pursue in life. I hope to dive further in philanthropic efforts because I believe it’s one of the most effective ways to see meaningful change happen across communities to improve the quality of life for many individuals and impact our future generations in a positive way. I also want to be an encouragement to others who have a disability, or experienced exclusion or discrimination due to gender, status, income, race or culture. Contributing to the body of knowledge about Diversity and Inclusion in the sector, will ensure positive changes across organizations and create a better understanding of the issues people in similar situations may face.

Thiviyaa Sehasothy is the Senior Development Coordinator focused on corporate partnership at UNICEF Canada. She is a dedicated & enthusiastic fundraising professional who is passionate about change, civic engagement, and international & community development. She has over 4 years of experience within the non-profit and fundraising sector at other organizations such as Toronto Foundation, Children’s Aid Foundation & McMaster University’s Alumni Association. Her introduction into fundraising started in university as Founder & President of the WaterAid McMaster. Her colleagues would describe her as driven, personable, passionate and a strong project manager. She is eager to contribute to the discussion on diversity & inclusion, not only to develop best practices for the sector but also to encourage more dialogue around the topic within our close communities. Thiviyaa is passionate about being a voice and ambassador for the fundraising sector in her community. She is currently pursing her Fundraising Management certificate at Ryerson University while attaining her CFRE and PMP designations. On her free time, she is a freelance artist involved in exhibits in Toronto, and actively commissioned for paintings (www.artbythiviyaa.com). She holds a B.Sc in Environmental Science from McMaster University. You can find her on LinkedIn & Twitter.

Teresa Cheng is a professional fundraiser with experience in social media marketing and communications, volunteer management, special events and database management. For the internship portion of the Humber Fundraising program, Teresa pursued a development internship in Chicago, Illinois at Interfaith Worker Justice, a national charity in the United States working with faith-based groups to help advocate for workers’ rights in the United States. She then moved to London, UK, where she worked at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. Teresa has focused on skill development and is someone who is truly open to personal growth.

She is an individual who is committed to personal and professional development in her fundraising career. She completed the Humber Fundraising program with honours and has attended numerous AFP Toronto Congress and Fundraising Day. Her international fundraising experience will be beneficial to the study of diversity in philanthropy.

She is currently on a committee for Markham At The Movies as their Social Media Coordinator. In her spare time, she is either reading, powerlifting, food blogging or travelling. Connect with her through LinkedIn or Twitter

Tanya Rumble is a fiercely determined, results-driven relationship and fundraising manager with 10 years of progressively senior professional roles. Tanya is the Senior Manager, Run for the Cure Fundraising at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Tanya also commits herself to a number of worthy causes and organizations. Tanya is Co-Founder and past Executive Member of Toronto plus Acumen, an official chapter of Acumen. Tanya recently ended a six year term as a volunteer with the Ontario Trillium Foundation – where she sat on the Halton-Peel Grant Review Team ($10MM/y) and the Youth Opportunities Challenge Fund ($5MM/yr). Currently Tanya is a Board Director with FindHelp Information Services – operators of 211 Toronto. Additionally Tanya enjoys grassroots volunteer opportunities and is a Jane’s Walk leader, as well as regularly volunteering with the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Tanya completed a Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at McMaster
University and a Masters Certificate at New York University with the World Health
Organization, and in 2014 Tanya began the Masters of Public Policy, Administration and Law at York University. Tanya is naturally inquisitive and a lifelong learner – she was a 2010 Fellow in the award-winning Diversity Program.

Stuart Keeler is a cultural producer with broad international experience in curating, programming, writing about and commissioning contemporary artists, public art and socially based interventions in the public realm. Keeler’s research interests include contemporary art and its critical context in relation
to communities; embodiment, diaspora issues and identity within urban space contexts as well as cultural and artistic forms of sculptural practices and thinking. Educated and trained to work in museums and galleries, Stuart is currently appointed as Chief Curator | Manager, Museums & Traditions – Arts & Culture, City of Mississauga.

Sarah Byrnes is new to the fundraising field. A member of Humber College’s Fundraising Management class of 2016, she is very excited to be beginning her career as a part of the AFP Fellowship in Inclusion and Diversity. Sarah is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and her volunteer involvement with LGBTQ+ organizations has inspired her to pursue fundraising.  She is excited to help programming that lets people explore and celebrate their identities thrive. Sarah is especially interested in determining ways to combat heteronormativity and cisnormativity in fundraising, particularly as it pertains to database management and stewardship practices. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys eating ice cream no matter the weather, visiting art galleries and museums, and trying to become a better cook.