Interchange: Full Schedule

7:30am EDT

Breakfast

Thursday October 8, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT

9:15am EDT

All About the ASK!

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT

This interactive case-study session combines storytelling, audience discussion, and practical tools from the field. Participants will examine real campaign scenarios, explore common challenges fundraisers face before and during donor solicitations, and learn how successful major gift conversations are prepared, executed, and stewarded.Key TopicsThe anatomy of a successful ask: preparation, timing,...
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Speakers

Jennifer Van Noort

Chief Development Officer, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation

Jennifer Van Noort is Chief Development Officer at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, where she has led transformative fundraising efforts for over two decades. A lifelong Ottawa resident and Carleton University graduate, Jennifer has been highly engaged in multiple major campaigns... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
MaRS Centre

Case study

9:15am EDT

Building Blocks for a Successful Capital & Major Donor Campaign

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT

MaRS Centre

Non-profits and Foundations are facing greater demands to expand programs and services, renovate aging infrastructure or expand facilities to meet the growing needs of the people they serve and their expanding communities. Critical to this large-scale pressure is the need to generate transformation investments from capital and major donor campaigns. At the heart of this work are foundational...
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Speakers

Alicia Vandermeer

President & CEO, Scarborough Health Network Foundation

On January 6, 2020, Scarborough Health Network Foundation welcomed Alicia Vandermeer as our new President & CEO. Alicia spent 19 years in senior roles at the Art Gallery of Ontario, with her final role as Deputy Director & Chief Advancement Officer leading Development & Campaign... Read More →

Christian Bolduc

CEO, BNP Inspire

Christian Bolduc is a leading figure in philanthropy, combining passion and expertise to advance this vital sector. Since launching his fundraising career in 1995, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community development. In 1999, he co-founded the consulting firm Jean... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
MaRS Centre

Case study

9:15am EDT

Donor Experience: From Stewardship to Strategic Driver of Growth

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT

MaRS Centre

Donor Experience has evolved from a stewardship activity into a critical driver of acquisition, retention and long-term value across the whole of the fundraising mix. As donor decisions are increasingly shaped by personal experiences and peer influence, rethinking Donor Experience with a strategic lens that goes beyond a ‘nice to...
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Speakers

Kara Warr

Director, Digital Media, Direct Response, American Diabetes Association

Kara Warr is the Director of Digital Media, Direct Response at the American Diabetes Association, where she leads strategic initiatives to drive engagement, fundraising, and awareness through high-impact digital campaigns. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Kara... Read More →

Rachel Hunnybun

VP, Donor Experience, Blakely

Rachel has over 17 years industry experience in helping charities build retention through long term strategies and donor experience. At Blakely, as Director of Strategic Solutions, Rachel develops insight-based solutions, value propositions and journeys to enhance income and deepen... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
MaRS Centre

Case study

Company American Diabetes Association
Subject Donor Engagement, Stewardship

9:15am EDT

Beyond Cash: How Asset-Based and Blended Giving Are Reshaping Donor Growth

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT

MaRS Centre

The next wave of fundraising growth is already underway and it is not driven by cash. Across the sector, donors are increasingly giving through assets such as donor-advised funds, securities and future estate commitments. Once concentrated in major gifts, these approaches are now reshaping mid-level and legacy programs, unlocking greater lifetime value and deeper...
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Speakers

Kimberley Blease

EVP, Strategic Growth & Innovation, Blakely

Kimberley Blease brings over 40 years of leadership at the intersection of fundraising, marketing and strategy. As EVP of Strategic Growth & Innovation at Blakely Inc., she leads product innovation, thought leadership and growth‑focused consulting across the sector and is a sought‑after speaker on the topics of high‑value and legacy giving and industry trends. In addition to consulting... Read More →

Serena Hak

Principal, CI Private Wealth, Executive Director & Partner, The Donor Motivation Program and

Serena Hak started her career at Free The Children in 2009, and has since become Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services at CI Assante Wealth Management, and Executive Director & Partner of The Donor Motivation Program® Canada.

With a decade of experience in the philanthropic sector, she is committed to helping Canadians realize their giving potential. She has been featured in The Globe and Mail and National Post’s Guide to Charitable Giving and is a frequent speaker with the Association of Gift Planning... Read More →

Nancy Horvath

VP, Philanthropy, SickKids Foundation

Nancy Horvath is currently Vice President of Philanthropy at SickKids Foundation and brings 20 years experience building strategic partnerships and raising funds for high-impact campaigns across some of Canada’s most respected healthcare organizations. Nancy works closely with families... Read More →

Aneil Gokhale

Lead, Philanthropic Advisory Services, Toronto Foundation

Aneil Gokhale is Lead, Philanthropic Advisory Services at Toronto Foundation, where he helps individuals, families, and professional advisors design values-based approaches to giving. Since joining in July 2012, he has helped grow the Foundation’s platform from a few hundred funds... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
MaRS Centre

Panel

Subject Asset-based giving, DAFs

10:45am EDT

Beyond the Middle: Rethinking Mid-Level Giving for Growth

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Mid-level giving is one of the most important opportunities driving real growth in fundraising today. As acquisition costs rise and broad donor participation declines, value is concentrated among fewer supporters, with mid-level donors increasingly driving growth, retention and long-term value. Yet many organizations still define and manage mid-level...
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Speakers

Kimberley Blease

EVP, Strategic Growth & Innovation, Blakely

Rachel Hunnybun

VP, Donor Experience, Blakely

Anna Kissin

Manager, Community Giving, Sunnybrook Foundation

Anna Kissin, CFRE, brings over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. She currently serves as Manager, Mid-Level Giving at Sunnybrook Foundation. Her work is grounded in building authentic relationships with donors, helping them connect their generosity to meaningful impact... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Panel

Company Sunnybrook Foundation
Track Emerging Trends
Subject Audience segmentation, mid-level audiences

10:45am EDT

Rethinking Revenue for Today’s Nonprofits

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT

Everyone’s working on revenue diversification—but it’s not as straightforward as it sounds.This session creates space to unpack what’s actually happening across nonprofits right now.Revenue diversification has become a shared focus across the nonprofit sector -but in practice, it’s rarely straightforward. Many organizations are expanding their revenue mix, testing new approaches, and...
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Speakers

Cherry Chan

CEO, OTUS Nonprofit CFOs

Cherry Chan is the CEO of OTUS Nonprofit CFOs, where she works closely with nonprofit leaders across Canada to strengthen financial strategy, sustainability, and decision-making.With a background in accounting and extensive experience supporting organizations at different stages of... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT

Roundtable

Company OTUS

10:45am EDT

The People Business - Labour Market Insights from the NFP Sector

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

The NFP is experiencing unprecedented change and shifts across all its human capital levels and roles, along with emerging pressures come new insights and opportunities.Building on the data and feedback emerging from the nationally recognized Labour Market Insights Report for the sector, participants will gain a practical understanding of evidence-based trends and deep insights into conditions...
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Speakers

Dave Baran

CEO, Charity Village

Dave Baran is CEO of CharityVillage, Canada's leading online platform connecting nonprofit and charitable organizations with the talent, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive. He leads the organization's strategic direction, operations, and growth, with a focus on helping charities... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Roundtable

10:45am EDT

I Robot! A Live-Built Solution: Build Your Org's AI Knowledge Bot

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

The ProblemEvery nonprofit is carrying knowledge that only lives in people's heads: the mission, the audience, the revenue streams, which campaigns actually convert and why. None of it is written down anywhere a new hire, board member, or volunteer can just go find it.So every onboarding starts the same way, a strategist or fundraiser burning an hours walking someone through the basics that should...
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Speakers

Nida Malik

Founder, Nida Malik Consultancy

I’ve spent the past eight years working in digital marketing, technology, and fundraising systems, helping organizations turn complex digital tools into growth engines that actually deliver results.

I’m Google Certified in Digital Marketing and E-commerce, and Google AI, combining performance marketing expertise with emerging AI capabilities to help teams work smarter, not harder.My work today sits at the intersection of nonprofit fundraising and digital infrastructure. I de... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Workshop

12:00pm EDT

Built to Thrive: How Fundraising Leaders Navigate Change

Thursday October 8, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Today's fundraising leaders are facing unprecedented change but with change comes opportunity. Join us as this panel of experienced Not for Profit Leaders shares how they are adapting to evolving donor expectations, embracing new technologies, and building stronger, more resilient organizations for the future. From building resilient teams to...
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Thursday October 8, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Plenary

Track Futureproof Your Fundraising
Subject Change management, Resilience, Technology, Demographics

1:15pm EDT

Understanding Sponsorship Today: A Candid, Open Dialogue

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

MaRS Centre

The sponsorship and philanthropic landscape has shifted dramatically over the past five years. Traditional assumptions no longer hold—and many organizations are leaving revenue potential on the table because they haven’t adapted. This session is designed not as a presentation, but as a provocative working conversation for senior leaders navigating these changes. Part 1: A Reality...
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Speakers

Brent Barootes

CEO, Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists®

Brent is President and CEO of the Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists®, a national sponsorship marketing consulting firm assisting non-profits and charities from diverse sectors, including health charities, social service agencies, post-secondary, arts, galas, tournaments... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Roundtable

1:45pm EDT

New Audiences, New Possibilities: Engaging Diaspora Donors

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Canada’s fastest-growing communities are already generous, but often under-engaged by traditional fundraising. Nearly 80% of multicultural Canadians donate, and the majority say they would give more if asked or better connected to causes. This panel explores how diaspora and multicultural audiences give, what motivates them, and what they expect from the...
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Speakers

Serena Hak

Principal, CI Private Wealth, Executive Director & Partner, The Donor Motivation Program and

Sana Mahboob

President Emeritus, Association of Fundraising Professionals

Sana Mahboob is a sought-after multilingual speaker whose work is shaped by her experiences as an immigrant, community leader, and a public servant. Her work has explored the intersections of philanthropy, leadership, diaspora experience, ethical service, and anti-black racism – grounded in convers... Read More →

Nader El Nakib

Head of Private Sector Partnerships, UNHCR Canada

Nader El Nakib is the Head of Private Sector Partnerships at UNHCR Canada. Previously, he
served as the Chief of Partnerships for UNHCR MENA.He is a results-oriented manager and a
certified Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practitioner with over 28 years of experience,
demonstr... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Panel

Company Donor Motivation Project, UNHCR
Track Emerging Trends

1:45pm EDT

The DX Workshop: Applying the Model to Drive Growth

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Donor Experience has evolved far beyond stewardship. It is now a critical driver of growth, retention and long-term value. But as a fundraiser, where do you start to advocate and apply strategic Donor Experience within your organization? Join Rachel Hunnybun and Kara Warr from ADA for a practical workshop that will help...
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Speakers

Kara Warr

Director, Digital Media, Direct Response, American Diabetes Association

Rachel Hunnybun

VP, Donor Experience, Blakely

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Workshop

Company American Diabetes Association

1:45pm EDT

The Evolution of Online Giving: Turning 2026 Trends Into Fundraising Success

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Data becomes valuable when it moves from insight to action - shaping strategy, fueling innovation, and solving real-world problems. With the overwhelming bombardment of data, many NFP’s can get buried in the what and miss the real opportunity in transforming the information into practical ways to take action.Are you ready to transform Canada’s latest giving data into powerful...
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Speakers

Julie Fiorini

General Manager, Charity & Donor Services, CanadaHelps

Julie is a strategic and purpose-driven leader who is passionate about connecting people in a meaningful way to the brands and causes they support. As the General Manager, Charity & Donor Services, Julie brings a diverse background in marketing, communications and fundraising to support... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Workshop

3:15pm EDT

Purpose, Mindset, Impact and the Mid-Career Fundraiser

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Mid-career can be the moment when fundraisers stop asking only what they do and start asking who they are becoming. In this uplifting and thought-provoking session, Jenny Mitchell explores self-leadership, passion and purpose, career journeys, the psychology that shapes how we work, and the power of building bridges across departments—inviting fundraisers to lead with greater courage, humanity,...
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Speakers

Jenny Mitchell

Founder and President, Chavender

Jenny Mitchell is the founder and president of Chavender, a leadership development company that helps high performers become influential leaders at work – and stay human while they do it. She partners with ambitious, thoughtful women leaders, most often in the social good sectors... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Roundtable

3:15pm EDT

The Legacy Opportunity Map: New Audiences, New Motivations, Big Growth

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Legacy giving is expanding into new territory, and many organizations need a new way to navigate the opportunities. Interest is rising across generations, yet many programs remain anchored in strategies designed for older, long-on-file donors. The result: intention is rising, but many programs are still built for a different donor, a different moment and...
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Speakers

Kimberley Blease

EVP, Strategic Growth & Innovation, Blakely

Kudzai Riva

Director of Planned Giving, UNHCR Canada

Kudzai Riva is a senior fundraising and marketing executive with over 16 years of progressive leadership experience in strategic fundraising, donor engagement, and organizational effectiveness. She currently serves as the Director of Planned Giving at the United Nations High Commissioner... Read More →

Richard Lefebvre

Associate Director of Development, National Ballet of Canada

Richard Lefebvre, CFRE, is Associate Director of Development at The National Ballet of Canada, where he oversees Individual and Legacy Giving. With 25 years of fundraising experience, Richard specializes in donor-centred strategies that inspire transformational philanthropy and l... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Roundtable

Company UNHCR, National Ballet
Track Emerging Trends
Subject Legacy giving, Demographics

3:15pm EDT

Digital in Motion: The Trends Redefining Engagement

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Digital is evolving fast—and it’s reshaping how non-profits engage, inspire and grow relationships and revenues. From AI-powered personalization to the rise of community-led engagement, the rules of digital fundraising are being rewritten in real time. In this forward-looking panel, industry leaders unpack the trends changing how organizations connect with...
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Speakers

Claire Kerr

Senior Director, Care2

Claire is a nonprofit veteran who has worked for organizations in economic development, education, and fundraising sectors. At Care2, she works with charities and nonprofits as they use digital channels to acquire new supporters, as well as advocate for progressive causes online... Read More →

Jay Aber

President, The Aber Group

Jay is the Founder and President of The Aber Group, an independent media planning and buying agency based in Toronto that specializes in the charity and not for profit sectors. The Aber Group works with large, medium, and small clients and has more not for profit clients than any... Read More →

Amparo Jardine

Executive Director, Donor Response Marketing, Diabetes Canada

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Panel

Track Emerging Trends
Subject AI, Digital strategy

3:15pm EDT

Stronger Brands. Better Fundraising. Big Impact.

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

MaRS Centre

Strong brands don’t just raise awareness—they drive fundraising performance. This panel brings together fundraising and brand leaders to explore how closer alignment between brand, marketing and fundraising can unlock greater impact. Through real-world experiences and practical discussion, we’ll examine what it takes to break down silos, align strategy and build...
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Speakers

Kevin Cooper

Vice President, Community Giving, WWF-Canada

Kevin Cooper is an advocacy and fundraising professional who has spent his career expanding the power and effectiveness of environmental and labour organizations throughout North America. He presently serves as the Vice President for Community Giving at WWF-Canada, helping to raise... Read More →

Jennifer Gray

Chief Development Officer, Toronto Humane Society

Jennifer Gray is a seasoned fundraising and philanthropy leader with more than 20 years of experience building high-performing teams, developing strategic partnerships, and securing transformational philanthropic support. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations including... Read More →

Meghan Kelly

Director, Brand & Experience, CAMH Foundation

Meghan is a purpose-driven brand and marketing leader who helps organizations build trust, inspire action and create movements around ideas that matter.

For more than 15 years, Meghan has led brand strategy, storytelling, communications and integrated marketing for mission-driven... Read More →

Pamela Mollica

Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Canadian Cancer Society

An accomplished, results-oriented, bilingual leader with a passion for growing and developing high-performing teams, Pam has worked in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors and has extensive experience in strategic planning, media relations, brand marketing, internal and corporate... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT
MaRS Centre

Panel