Meet Shuai Gu (she/her), a dedicated fundraiser making waves in the nonprofit sector. Shuai currently serves as Manager, Major Gifts at Burnaby Hospital Foundation, where she builds meaningful connections with donors and inspires generosity within her community.
For Shuai, the journey into fundraising wasn’t something she had planned. After many years in the corporate world, Shuai had never considered a career in the nonprofit sector. But everything changed when her company decided to host a charity event. Tasked with researching and selecting an organization to support, Shuai discovered the incredible world of nonprofit work.
“Years later, after leaving my corporate job to explore new career paths, I learned that the charity I once supported had a job opening. On a whim, I applied, never expecting to be hired. But here I am today, and I’m so grateful I took that leap, even without prior experience in the field,” Shuai shares.
What stands out most in Shuai’s journey are the relationships she’s built with donors. In her first five years, nearly all of Shuai’s donors were first-generation immigrants from Mainland China—just like her. “We shared the same language, cultural values, and lived experiences, making our connections truly special. Meeting so many generous, kindhearted individuals through my work has been both a privilege and an inspiration,” Shuai reflects.
In addition to her impactful work, Shuai is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Joining AFP has been a “game-changer” for her professional growth, and one of the highlights was co-leading the AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising course with Judy Zhu, Executive Director, Strategic Philanthropy at Royal Columbian Hospital, in November 2024. Despite only having two months to prepare, the pair successfully brought together over 20 fundraisers from various organizations.
“This experience tested our ability to collaborate under pressure. From the moment we committed to the course, we built trust instantly and worked seamlessly together. It reinforced my belief that fundraisers have a unique ability to connect, adapt, and make things happen—something I don’t think is as common in other industries,” Shuai notes.
Shuai highly recommends the AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising course to anyone in the sector, calling it “a great overview of fundraising” that is especially relevant thanks to the local fundraising leaders who teach it. “You can immediately apply what you learn to your own work,” she adds.
Shuai is also a firm advocate for AFP membership, praising the free resources, exclusive perks, and networking opportunities it provides. “The minglers are my favourite!” she shares. Shuai’s AFP membership also opened doors to incredible opportunities, like a scholarship to attend AFP ICON 2025, something she is “incredibly excited about.”
And when Shuai isn’t busy making an impact in the nonprofit world, she loves shuffle dancing—though she admits she can only last a few minutes before calling it a day! Afterward, you’ll likely find her unwinding with a good book or exploring the world through travel and food videos on YouTube.
Shuai’s story is a testament to the power of embracing new opportunities, building meaningful connections, and finding a career that aligns with your passions.
