CAISAP is pleased to announce their new board of governors as voted at their annual general meeting in Hockley Valley Ontario January 26th 2011. The board will serve a two year term.
CAISAP is a professional industry association that exists to promote and facilitate professional development, networking, information sharing, and collegial relations among CAIS Advancement professionals. For further information please contact Laura Edwards.
Laura Edwards, president
Executive Director, Advancement | York House School | Vancouver, BClaura_edwards at yorkhouse.ca
Laura Edwards is Executive Director Advancement, responsible for fund raising and marketing, at York House School in Vancouver. York House is a 78 year old, independent, JK-12 all girls school. During Ms Edwards’ tenure, the culture of giving at York House has grown to a million dollar plus annual fund, 20 million in capital, and 5 million plus in endowment. Ms Edwards has an extensive background in business and volunteer work. She has been Marketing Director for a 5-Star Hotel chain. She ran her own investment and insurance business and received numerous awards and recognition for her achievements.Ms Edwards volunteers her time including work with young people coaching Destination ImagiNation, an international competitive, creative problem-solving program, helping teams achieve success at the global level. For her work in the volunteer sector, Ms Edwards was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal in 2004. In 2008 York House School created a Dream to Reality Award in recognition of Ms Edwards lifetime achievement “for making history in the world of independent schools in Canada by attracting the largest number of donors to a single campaign.”
Ms Edwards holds a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), has created the “Giving Hearts” awards program for philanthropy in BC launched in autumn 2007, as a member of the Vancouver Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals Board, and is currently Vice President of the Canadian Association of Independent School Advancement Professionals. Ms. Edwards has been a member of the Board of Directors of CARE Canada for the past 12 years serving on the Executive Committee and chairing the Marketing Committee, in addition to field visits to Africa and India.
Ms Edwards also currently sits on the West coast Women’s Health Foundation and Vancouver Canuck Place Children’s Hospice Boards. Ms Edwards is married with 2 daughters in University.
Tina Alto, vice-president
Executive Director, Advancement, Balmoral Hall | Winnipeg, MBtalto at balmoral.com
Biography to come.
Lori Adam, secretary
Director of the Annual Fund, St. Michael's University School | Victoria, BClori.adam at smus.bc.ca
Lori Adam has been in the Advancement profession for the past ten years, currently overseeing a million dollar annual fund for St. Michaels University School in Victoria, BC. Prior to moving to Victoria in 2008, she spent six years as the Associate Director of Development at York House School in Vancouver.Lori volunteers her time for the Power To Be, an organization that provides outdoor education programs for families facing significant life challenges. She also sits on committees for National Philanthropy Day and Malawi Girls School in Africa. Prior to her years at York House, Lori organized fundraising tours with the NHL alumni as well as charity celebrity events.
Angie Kelly, treasurer
Manager, Annual Giving, Ashbury College | Ottawa, ONakelly at ashbury.ca
Biography to come.
Jeanette Hepburn, past-president
Former Director of Development, Albert College | Belleville, ONjhepburn at albertcollege.ca
Jeanette Hepburn, CFRE, received her Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree with a major in marketing from Queen’s University. She spent six years in sales and marketing before becoming a professional fundraiser. Jeanette has fourteen years of development experience gained at Queen’s University, Ashbury College and, currently, Albert College. As Director of Development, Jeanette revamped the school’s alumni relations and development program, completed Albert’s largest capital campaign to build the Parrott Junior School, led the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations, launched a planned giving program, and was among the first wave of independent schools to introduce social media. Currently as a member of the school’s management team and as Assistant Head – Advancement she oversees a great team which implements the school’s marketing, communications, admission and development activities.
David Hutchison, conference co-chair
Director of Advancement, Shawnigan Lake School | Shawnigan Lake, BCdhutchis at shawnigan.ca
Biography to come.
John Davies, conference co-chair
President of the St. Michaels University School Foundations, St. Michael's University School | Victoria, BCjdavies at smus.ca
John Davies spent 30 years in public and independent school education prior to beginning his work as a consultant to independent schools in Asia, North America and Europe. From 1982-2002 he was staff member of Shawnigan Lake School, a coeducational boarding school on Vancouver Island.Shawnigan, a leader in independent boarding school education made a significant investment in its future by supporting a bold admissions/advancement strategy that sees today, the school as a leader in boarding school education in Canada. John Davies a passionate advocate of independent school education served as Director of the Shawnigan Foundation from 1993-2002. In his career at Shawnigan he also served as an English teacher, Housemaster, Director of Advancement, Deputy Headmaster and as a coach of rugby and basketball. In his role as Director, The Shawnigan Foundation, John pioneered the concept of major gift fundraising in Canada’s independent schools. John’s search for philanthropic support involved travel to Britain, USA, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. His single-minded focus on major gift philanthropy and board development enabled Shawnigan to attract significant resources.
John is the Principal of Davies Strategic Directions Inc., a provider of complete solutions for independent schools. John is the former President of the Vancouver Island chapter of A.F.P.
Jeff McGuinness, director of communications
Senior Development Officer, Upper Canada College | Toronto, ONjmcguinness at ucc.on.ca
Meet Jeff.
Jeff has served more than two dozen schools across Canada and the United States, either directly or as a consultant. He has managed alumni relations, e-communications and annual giving, and has volunteered with CAISAP, AFP (Calgary) and CASE (District VIII). He has received awards for independent school advancement from CAISAP, CASE and CCAE. Whether coaching hockey, basketball, skiing, soccer or track & field, or occasionally assisting with and acting in the school play, he has greatly enjoyed supporting the opportunities independent schools offer.Recently Jeff became a master pentathlete … which has far more to do with his age than his ability.
Geneviève Delaquis, director of the mentoring program
Director of Advancement, Balmoral Hall | Winnipeg, MBgdelaquis at balmoralhall.com
The Director of Advancement at Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg, she has been working in the advancement office since 1998 and in the past few years, has developed a strong Annual Fund program. Geneviève joined the CAISAP Board in 2011 and is overseeing the Mentorship Portfolio, an area she believes in strongly and wants to see grow. Having connected with a number of professionals in the field during her career at the school, she’d like to ensure that newcomers and seasoned advancement professionals have the opportunity to share ideas and provide each other guidance and support.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Geneviève and her husband Roger have two young daughters. Together, they enjoy riding their bikes in their local park, visiting with friends & family and taking trips together whenever possible. Geneviève plays soccer on a women’s team and keeps busy organizing her family’s schedule!
She encourages all CAISAP members to get involved with the Mentorship Program, whether it be formally by signing up to be a Mentor/Mentee, or simply by picking up the phone and contacting someone at another school to chat.
Caroline Banadar, director of membership
Assistant Director of Advancement, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School | Okotoks, ABbanadac at sts.ab.ca
Biography to come.
Sharon Cozens, co-director of professional development
Director of Advancement, Trafalgar School for Girls | Montreal, QCcozens at trafalgar.qc.ca
Sharon holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario, a BEd from Lakehead University, and a FSL certification from University of Ottawa. She has taught in both the public and independent school system including: Elmwood School, Ottawa and Queen Margaret’s School, Duncan, BC. In 1992, Sharon joined Selwyn House School in Montreal as its Director of Admissions, and in 1998 became Director of Alumni and Parent Relations. She was named Honorary Old Boy in 2006 by the SHS Old Boys’ Association. In 2006, Sharon became Director of Advancement at Trafalgar School for Girls.
As a CAISAP Executive member since 2005, Sharon has lead and further developed the Mentorship Program and is currently Professional Development Co-Chair assisting the Eastern province member schools with their regional PD sessions. CAISAP members are encouraged to take advantage of the networking opportunities that are available through these programs.
Mireille Millette, co-director of professional development
Associate Director of Advancement, Sterling Hall School | Toronto, ONmmillette at sterlinghall.com
Mireille is a professional fundraiser with 10 years experience in independent schools and the arts and culture sector. Since 2006, she has excelled as the Associate Director of Advancement at The Sterling Hall School. From crunching giving stats to meeting with volunteers and donors, she loves the variety that each day in a small shop offers. Mireille holds a BA from the University of Waterloo and her CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation.She’s a proud CAISAP Board member since 2007. Her latest volunteer venture has led her to join the Board of a brand new not-for-profit, Healthy Start, Healthy Future. It provides ongoing practical and emotional peer-based support for new and expecting parents, and parents of children up to the age of six via its signature program Life With A Baby.
James McMillan, director of governance and nominations
Director of Advancement, Selwyn House School | Montreal, QCmcmillan at selwyn.ca
James McMillan received a BFA in Music Composition from Concordia University and a MA in Curriculum Planning from McGill University. In addition to teaching at the Faculty of Music at McGill University for 13 years and the Graduate Faculty, Educational Administration, at McGill University for 4 years, he has been the Director of Music at Selwyn House School from 1979 to 2008, the Technology Coordinator for the Administration from 1990 to 2008, and the Director of Advancement at Selwyn House School since 1987. James is part of a highly successful Advancement Team that has been responsible for raising significant capital and endowment funds for Selwyn House School.
John Davies, director of awards and recognition
President of the St. Michaels University School Foundations, St. Michael's University School | Victoria, BCjdavies at smus.ca
John Davies spent 30 years in public and independent school education prior to beginning his work as a consultant to independent schools in Asia, North America and Europe. From 1982-2002 he was staff member of Shawnigan Lake School, a coeducational boarding school on Vancouver Island. Shawnigan, a leader in independent boarding school education made a significant investment in its future by supporting a bold admissions/advancement strategy that sees today, the school as a leader in boarding school education in Canada.John Davies a passionate advocate of independent school education served as Director of the Shawnigan Foundation from 1993-2002. In his career at Shawnigan he also served as an English teacher, Housemaster, Director of Advancement, Deputy Headmaster and as a coach of rugby and basketball. In his role as Director, The Shawnigan Foundation, John pioneered the concept of major gift fundraising in Canada’s independent schools. John’s search for philanthropic support involved travel to Britain, USA, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. His single-minded focus on major gift philanthropy and board development enabled Shawnigan to attract significant resources.
John is the Principal of Davies Strategic Directions Inc., a provider of complete solutions for independent schools. John is the former President of the Vancouver Island chapter of A.F.P.
