2022-2023 Committees

The AFP Greater Vancouver Chapter relies on volunteer committees to develop and manage programs that provide value to its membership, including Professional Development, Accreditation, National Philanthropy Day, Mentorship and Scholarship and more.

Accreditation Committee

The Accreditation Committee’s goal is to provide support to Greater Vancouver Chapter members in their efforts to become a Certified Fund Raising Executive. The Committee is also responsible for organizing the AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course, acting as a resource for those preparing for the CFRE exam and recognizing Chapter members who have achieved this remarkable career milestone.

Members

• Luigi Ronchi – Corporate & Business Development Strategist, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice

Communications Committee

The goal of the Communications Committee is to inform AFP Greater Vancouver members of valuable chapter programs, activities and events through regular and meaningful updates that keep them connected to their local chapter and each other.

The Communications team also supports fellow committees by assisting with content updates on the chapter website, providing communication support through social media and email updates and coordinating a chapter communication schedule.

Co-Chairs

• Natalina Hamilton – Vice President, Major Gifts, Breast Cancer Society of Canada
• Michael Leland – Divisional Secretary, Public Relations & Capital Campaign Director, Salvation Army

Members

• Kristi Ferguson –  Principal, Somerset Creative

Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations Committee’s primary role is to educate members regarding public policy issues which impact membership. The committee also has a role to make advocacy on behalf of the sector and government relations work of AFP relevant to the Chapter membership. The committee leads engagement with government officials, especially those holding elected office in the Lower Mainland.

The committee actively monitors the issues and legislative changes at all levels of government that could both potentially impact membership and develops strategies and plans to advocate on behalf of membership, including mobilizing the membership. The committee also serves as a resource to government officials connecting to, and providing, relevant industry expertise.

Chair

• Neil McEachern – Donor Relations Officer, Mid-Level Giving, Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC

Members

• Ed Gavsie – President & CEO, Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives
• Britt-Lynn Oxendale – Donor Relations Officer, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
• Shellina Dilgir – Director of Development, Neil Squire Society

IDEA Committee

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Committee supports the implementation of inclusive practices by AFP Greater Vancouver and its members at the philanthropic and organizational levels. Working in partnership with Chapter committees, members, and community stakeholders, we ensure that diverse communities are engaged, represented, and supported in philanthropy through leadership, membership, mentorship, and professional development activities.

Co-Chairs

• Kevin Chi, CFRE– Development Officer, Faculty of Medicine UBC
• Mandy Ling, CFRE – Director, Development + Donor Relations, BC Women’s Health Foundation

Members

• Natasha Krotez, CFRE – Manager, Development, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
• Jane Westheuser – Associate, Refocus Communications & Fundraising

Membership Committee

Membership Committee focuses on ensuring that members have a full understanding of the benefits of membership in AFP Global and the local AFP Greater Vancouver chapter. We work to find ways to promote membership with both new and returning members through effective marketing and member feedback. We encourage individual membership that represents a broad spectrum of local charities and non-profits.

Chair

• Shelina Lakhdhir – Director, Major Gifts, Transformation, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation

Members

• Melissa Swindells – Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
• Regan Collins – Associate Director, Annual Giving & Donor Services, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
• Rhea Siu – Associate Director, Major Gifts, BC Cancer Foundation
• Joyce Lau – Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC
• Loressa De Torres – Engagement Specialist, Tour de Cure, BC Cancer Foundation

National Philanthropy Day Committee

The National Philanthropy Day committee is responsible for organizing our annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon and Giving Hearts Awards. Prior to the pandemic, this event was attended by approximately 600 philanthropists, volunteers, fundraisers, and support staff from over 100 non-profit organizations.

Co-Chairs

• Alex Wilson – Marketing Director, The Discovery Group
• Vacant

Members

• Carly Johnstone – Event & Project Management Professional at Carly Johnstone Project Management
• Jasmine Lew – Designer, Developer & Illustrator at b.stickman design
• Natalina Hamilton, MBC, CFRE – Vice President, Major Gifts, Breast Cancer Society of Canada
• Rhea Siu – Associate Director, Major Gifts at BC Cancer Foundation
• Tara Alexander – Philanthropy Officer at Heart & Stroke

Mentorship & Scholarship Committee

The Mentorship and Scholarship Committee runs both the Mentorship and Scholarship Programs for the AFP Greater Vancouver Chapter. In the mentorship program, the volunteer committee works to match experienced fundraising professionals as mentors with less experienced fundraisers as mentees for a one-year partnership. As part of the program we offer support to the pairs and at least two professional development events to participants, an intake session and a roundtable event. The committee also solicits and reviews applications for scholarships to various local, national, and global AFP professional development opportunities.

Co-Chairs

• Christine Harris – Director of Advancement, Faculty of Environment, SFU
• Penelope Naldrett – Director of Development, Hollyhock

Members

• Ainsley Dowle (Past Chair) – Executive Director, Sarah McLachlan Foundation
• Rachael Lipetz – Senior Manager, Philanthropy, Take a Hike Foundation
• Brenda Ulmer – Vice-President, Fund Development & Special Events, YWCA Metro Vancouver
• Amanda Millar – Manager of Corporate Sponsorship & Foundations, Arts Club Theatre
• Milo Dron – Development Officer, Diabetes Canada
• Christine Harris – Director of Advancement, Faculty of Environment, SFU
• Laurina Wong – Development Officer, Special Giving, Union Gospel Mission
• Alex McCulloch – Development Coordinator, Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee plans and organizes educational, training and networking opportunities throughout the year for AFP Vancouver Chapter members and others working in the fundraising sector. We focus on offering events that address current issues in fundraising as well as issues that affect the local fundraising community in particular. Membership has its benefits as all events offer a discount rate to members and some events are members only.

For a listing of AFP Greater Vancouver professional development activities, please view the Events Calendar.

Chair

• Jessie Lanigan – Director of Development, One Girl Can

Members

• Britt-Lynn Oxendale – Donor Relations Officer, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
• Jessica Ngan – Development Officer, Leadership Giving, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
• Annalissa Magleo – Manager, Philanthropy, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation
• Rachael Zapp – Manager, Signature Programs, Canadian Cancer Society
• James Bacon – Head of Corporate Partnerships, Vancouver Art Gallery

Young Professionals Committee

The Young Professionals Committee aims to recruit, engage, recognize, and retain young professionals in the fundraising sector. In particular, we aim to add value to our current members who have a Young Professional membership at AFP Greater Vancouver. This includes advocating for and providing professional development and educational opportunities for junior fundraisers, recognizing emerging leaders within our membership, and more.

Chair

• Jessica Ngan – Development Officer, Leadership Giving, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation

Partnerships Committee

The Partnerships Committee works to build meaningful partnerships with businesses that touch our industry and support positive change in our communities. Our partners support the work of the AFP Greater Vancouver Chapter by helping professionals in our industry connect with other caring humans, build their networks, create a sense of belonging, receive valuable coaching and mentorship as well as provide education specific to fundraisers.

As a non-profit association we seek support from industry partners that share in this passion and goal to create positive change in our communities and those professionals in our industry working to create that change. We seek to create a meaningful connection with companies to partner with us on our mission to further support those that work hard in this rewarding profession.

As a committee member you would be an integral part of a dynamic team of fundraising professionals creating the magic that happens when we create meaningful partnerships with community minded organizations. You will find yourself immersed in a world of like-minded people who share passion and drive to create the healthiest communities possible.

Co-Chairs

• Vanessa Lee – Resource Development and Stewardship Manager at Veterinarians Without Borders
• Fiona Luo – Communications and Events Officer, Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation

Every Member Campaign Committee

Vacant