Philanthropy

 

Chair, Communications Committee & Board Member
Family Dynamics
May 2017 – March 2019

Family Dynamics is a non-profit, community-based agency providing services such as counselling, family support, supports for refugees, family child care resources, parent coaching, families and schools together, and more. In 2017, Family Dynamics celebrated 80 years serving Manitoba.

As Chair of the Communications Committee, I guided the development and implementation of a thorough communications strategy for the agency and advised on the process of onboarding communications staff. I identified communications needs and gaps within the organisation; set the agenda and ran meetings; assignEd work to committee members; and ensured distribution of meeting minutes.

As a Board Member, I helped determine how Family Dynamics would carry out its mission through long and short-range planning. This included adoption of an annual budget and providing fiscal oversight; hiring and evaluating performance of the executive director; evaluating the agency’s performance in achieving its mission; and establishing policies for the effective management of the organization.

Co-Founder, Director of Communications & Public Relations
‘Fight for Charity’ Boxing Event – Canadian Red Cross, Pan Am Place
April 2016 – Present

Fight for Charity is an annual event centered around a series of amateur boxing matches to raise money in support of a different chosen charity each year.

The 2017 fight was in support of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Red Cross and was a huge, sold-out success. We are very proud to have raised nearly $25,000 in our first year, which went towards causes such as flood relief; support for Indigenous communities; bullying, violence and abuse prevention; and much more.

The 2018 event was in support of Pan Am Place, a transitional housing program for young men who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Despite expanding our event to accommodate more people, we sold out again with over 700 people! We are thrilled to have raised nearly $45,000 for Pan Am Place!

As co-founder and director of communications, I work alongside the event director throughout key planning stages, and manage all communications, public relations, and marketing strategies with the vision of growing and enhancing the event each year. This includes media outreach and promotional scheduling; managing all social media channels and the website; developing communications materials and graphics; creating video scripts and shooting and editing video; liaising with partners, sponsors, videographers/photographers, venue staff, charity representatives, and volunteers; and more.

Communications Committee
Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba
May 2017 – August 2020

The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is dedicated to ensuring that every child treated at the Children’s Hospital – HSC Winnipeg (over 120,000 each year) receives the best medical care possible. The Children’s Hospital Foundation works to support the special healthcare needs of children through reliable and consistent funding of pediatric medical research, as well as equipment and programs at Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg.

As a member of the communications committee, I served as a sounding board and advisor for CHF communications staff.

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic (Volunteer)
Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba
May 2017 – present

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic is a fun and educational day for kids with over 50 tents offering medical services for stuffed animals, science experiments, and more. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, and volunteers have come together each year to make this event a fun family tradition for Winnipeggers for more than 30 years.

Bridal Consultant 
WPG Dress Collective
March 2018

The Wpg Dress Collective collects new or gently used wedding dresses and matches them with deserving brides. Applicants include women facing significant financial hardship, or those who have simply been dealt a difficult set of circumstances. The Dress Collective not only helps all brides feel beautiful on their special day, it is also a giving project to empower women by encouraging philanthropy and the act of doing something for nothing. The Dress Collective hosts annual fitting events with beautiful decor, champagne, and goodie bags, to give women the full bridal shopping experience without the stress of budget.

Young Mums Christmas Dinner (Volunteer)
Rossbrook House
December 2017

Rossbrook House is a safe place for children and youth to belong, play, learn and become who they are meant to be. It offers a constant alternative to the destructive environment of the streets by keeping doors open 24/7, 365 days a year. Today, over 1,000 children and youth aged 6-24 come through the doors annually and up to 80 on a daily basis. Beyond being a safe place, Rossbrook has three alternative school programs, an after school homework club, a young mom’s group, sports and recreational activities, Indigenous cultural activities, leadership activities, a music program, and a healthy kitchen program that provides daily meals to participants while teaching them about healthy eating and cooking.

2017 Ice Crystal Gala (Volunteer)
Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba
November 2017

The Ice Crystal Gala, presented by The Upside Down Tree Foundation, is a truly unique, black-tie event for families and Foundation friends, raising funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. Since its inception, the Gala has raised over $1 million to support pediatric care at the Children’s Hospital and research at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

Fundraising & Event Coordinator
Canadian Football League: 2015 Grey Cup Legends Luncheon
October/November 2015

Fans are invited to meet, greet and share a meal with some of the CFL’s greatest legends of all time while honouring the beloved history of the Canadian Football League. Funds from the event support players transitioning out of the CFL, many of whom have had their careers ended abruptly due to injury or the competitive nature of the industry. As such, many of these men have no education or experience outside of football to fall back on and no contingency funds in place, resulting in depression or dire financial straits. Many ex-footballers also deal with severe injuries, including brain trauma and post-concussion syndrome.

Public Relations & Events Manager
Mackay Animal Rescue Society (MARS)
October 2014 – May 2015

Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc. (MARS) is a not for profit registered charity committed to improving the well-being and quality of life of dogs and cats in the Mackay, Australia region. MARS aims to provide animals with a second chance by taking them in and giving them the care they need until either they are reunited with their family or have found their new home.

Media Manager
‘Fight for Kiwi’ Charity Boxing Event – Kiwis for Kiwi
June/July 2013

Fight for Kiwi is a charity boxing event featuring amateur boxers competing in the ring for a great cause. The event takes place in Auckland, New Zealand with all proceeds going towards Kiwis for Kiwi – a national charity that supports community-led and Māori-led kiwi conservation projects. Kiwi are a native New Zealand bird at risk of extinction. The vision of Kiwis for Kiwi is to take these beautiful animals from endangered to everywhere.

Member (UWO Chapter)
Rotaract International
2007 – 2010

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change– across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. For more than 110 years, Rotary members have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects–from literacy and peace to water and health.

Rotaract is the youth division of Rotary for members aged 18-30.

Writer/Fashion Director
The Style Society
2007 –2010

The Style Society is a University of Western Ontario campus organization that publishes the ‘Style Review’ and puts on charity events such as fashion shows. The Style Society supports a range of causes including disaster relief and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Communications/Fundraising Officer
WAARO (the Western Abolitionist Animal Rights Organization) 
2007 –2010

The Western Abolitionist Animal Rights Organisation (WAARO) is a University of Western Ontario campus organization dedicated to promoting the humane care and protection of all animals and to preventing cruelty and suffering.

Backstage Assistant
L’Oreal Fashion Week Toronto
2009

I was selected out of hundreds of applicants to work backstage at Canada’s largest fashion festival, receiving hands-on experience in the fashion and event industries, and working directly with major designers, models, and event organizers.

Co-Chair
UWO Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW)
2009

The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and activities aimed at outreach, education, and early intervention for all eating disorders. The Alliance works tirelessly to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, promote access to care and support for those susceptible to, currently struggling with, and recovering from eating disorders. The Alliance creates a bridge for those needing and seeking help by connecting people with resources and information to assist them in their recovery.

As Co-Chair of the UWO chapter, I organised monthly meetings and the UWO annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week on campus.

Volunteer
The Winnipeg Humane Society
2003

The Winnipeg Humane Society is a community service organization committed to protecting animals from suffering, and to promoting their welfare and dignity.