my value proposition

Thinking that works: Tailored and practical solutions to charities and nonprofits to optimize governance, strategy and revenue. That’s what I bring to projects drawing on insights gleaned from a long experience as an executive running large charities.

I am strategic advisor to charities and philanthropists. My own experience spans three decades in the health, human services, and cultural sectors. Whether as CEO of Heart & Stroke Canada and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, or as the chief fundraiser of the Royal Ontario Museum and the Canadian Center for Architecture, I have led large teams, inspired boards and staff, built and executed strategy, developed alliances and joint ventures, implemented new social enterprise and fundraising revenue streams, and transformed mission, grant-making and public policy programs to deliver more social impact.

The environment facing Canada’s charities is changing quickly.  Canadians are doing good in new ways while trust in charities and charity leaders is declining. To win in this environment requires new approaches and thinking that works.

I am proficient in both French and English, not only bilingual but also bicultural. I grew up in a small town in northern New Brunswick and am a proud Acadian. Since then, I have lived in British Columbia, Québec and Ontario.  These experiences offer me a rich understanding of Canada’s diversity, and unique perspectives on the challenge of running national organizations. I believe Canada is well served by robust national organizations. But, many of these need to change in radical ways to be nimble, cost efficient and responsive. I am passionate about the need to reflect Canada’s complex diversity of language, identities and regions in all that I do.

Above all, I am respected for being an ethical leader who has earned the trust of donors, volunteers and colleagues.