mturner, Author at SSutton-and-Associates

Formal Education

University of Colorado, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Professional, Consulting and Volunteer Experience by Sector

Healthcare
Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Executive Director Institutional Giving/Director Principal Gifts, Maryland
Baycrest Foundation, President, Toronto
Baycrest Health Sciences Centre, Vice President Global Institutional Advancement, Toronto
National Jewish Health, Associate Director Major Gifts/ Manager Foundation and Corporate Relations, Colorado
Denver Children’s Home, Director of External Affairs, Colorado
de Souza Institute, Consultant, Toronto
Centre County Woman’s Resource Center, Consultant and Advisor to the Board, Pennsylvania
Denver General Hospital Emergency Room, Volunteer Rape Crises Counselor, Colorado
Education
Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) Foundation, President, Toronto
Penn State University, Director of Development, New York Office of Regional and Leadership Gifts, Pennsylvania
Community Based Membership and Advocacy
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Chief Development Officer, Toronto
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), NAMI Research Institute, NAMI Anti-Stigma Foundation, Director of Development, Washington, D.C.
Center to Prevent Handgun Violence & Handgun Control Inc., Director of Development, Washington, D.C.
Human Rights Campaign Fund, Director of Development, Washington, D.C.
Aspen Institute Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII), Consultant, Washington, D.C.
EPOColorado, the Equal Protection Campaign, Consultant and Finance Director, Colorado
Equal Protection Ordinance Coalition, Consultant and Finance Director, Colorado
Legacy Foundation, Board Member, Washington, D.C.
Colorado NARAL, Board Member, Colorado
Colorado Association of Senior Citizens, Board Member, Colorado
Dames for Humanity Syrian Refugee Sponsorship Group, Founding Member, Toronto
Josie Heath for US Senate, Consultant and Director Political Action Committee Fund-Raising, Colorado
Pena for Denver, Finance Director, Colorado
Ben Nighthorse Campbell for Congress, Fund-Raising Director, Colorado
W Mitchell for Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Campaign Coordinator, Colorado
Stratton, Reiter, Dupree & Durante, Campaign Consultants to Presidential Candidate Gary Hart, Colorado
Arts and Culture
Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U), Vice President Global Institutional Advancement, Toronto
Factory Theatre, Board Member, Toronto
Public Sector
Colorado Legislative Council, Colorado General Assembly, Research Analyst, Colorado
Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Fiscal Note Processor, Colorado

Susan Sutton

Principal

Susan Sutton is a seasoned C-Suite nonprofit executive with a proven track record of institutional advancement, developing and implementing fundraising campaigns and business operations to achieve multi-billion revenue goals from domestic and international clientele.

Over the course of her professional career Susan has demonstrated innovative and dynamic leadership, strategic vision and operational management expertise in a variety of settings from small grassroots to large complex, public and private, academic, research and patient care institutions as well as national advocacy and membership organizations, with domestic and international audiences. More than half of her career was spent with three iconic institutions, the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (now National Jewish Health), Penn State University and Johns Hopkins University, each recognized internationally for their areas of expertise, as well as best practices in institutional advancement. In Canada, she has served as the President of the OCAD U Foundation, President of the Baycrest Health Sciences Foundation and Chief Development Officer of the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the 2nd highest grossing (of more than 170,000) nonprofit organization in Canada.

Most relevant to the consulting space is her experience serving in a leadership capacity, building and implementing robust, sustainable and seamless continuums of development and alumni relations activity through direct marketing, annual fund, foundation and corporate, major, principal and planned gifts programs, and planning, developing and implementing organizational structure and all operational matters for a range of campaigns, the largest and most significant, the $2B campaign for Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Susan has proven to be adept at developing fully integrated business plans and cases for support, establishing goals and high performance metrics, managing human resources, communications, government relations, stewardship and advancement services, including budget preparation, financial tracking and the management of multimillion dollar endowments. Susan’s ability to build teams, with a commitment to excellence and diversity and train, mentor, manage and lead senior staff, is a recognized area of strength, which has led to outstanding team performance.

Throughout Susan’s professional experiences, she has partnered with and engaged top institutional and volunteer leadership, faculty, physicians, researchers and scientists to apply innovative, incisive strategy and creativity to identify, vet, cultivate and solicit a range of donors and to identify key fundraising priorities and the next “big idea” to transform the institution. Susan has a personal track record identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing gifts from principal and transformational donors, including the donor who made the largest single cash contribution in the history of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In many instances Susan’s role was to enhance existing institutional advancement programs and in doing so, she developed a clear appreciation for, and understanding of the role of culture in change management, and the imperative to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. Susan has successfully negotiated the complexity of institutions and has represented their vast body of work to grateful patients and alumni, prospects, donors and stakeholders, locally, nationally and internationally, now having lived, worked or traveled in over 80 countries.

The firm is a natural evolution of her career of more then 30 years when Susan interfaced with, and was the client of, many of the top industry consultants. Susan believed that a better model could be developed to more accurately and effectively meet the needs of the nonprofit sector, resulting in the concept of the Innovation Team Model.

Dr. James Douglas Fleck, C.C., DBA, LLD (hon), DSL (hon)

Strategic Advisor

Formal Education

Bachelor of Arts (Business Administration and Management), University of Western Ontario

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA, Finance), Harvard Business School

Professional, Consulting and Volunteer Experience by Sector

Professional, Consulting and Volunteer Experience by Sector

Private Sector
Fleck Manufacturing Inc., Founder, Chairman and CEO
CUC Ltd., Director and Executive Committee Member
Alias Research Inc., Chairman
ATI Technologies, Chairman
Promis Systems Corporation Ltd., Director
Certicom Inc., Director
Rogers Multimedia Ltd., Director
Zurich Insurance, Director
Travellers Insurance, Director
Channel 47 Inc., Director
Colonial Homes Ltd., Director
NGRAIN Corporation, Chairman

Public Sector
Member of the Federal Department of Transport Task Force
Executive Director and Member of the Committee on Government Productivity
CEO, Office of the Premier (Government of Ontario)
Secretary of Cabinet, Office of the Premier (Government of Ontario)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Tourism
Coordinator for Multilateral Trade Negotiations (Government of Ontario)
Member of the Federal International Trade Advisory Board
Chairman of the Minister’s Advisory Council for Arts and Culture

Education
Faculty Member, Harvard Business School
Professor and Associate Dean, Faculty of Administration Studies at York University
Visiting Professor, Keio University Business School
Visiting Professor, the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD)
Visiting Professor, University of Western Ontario
Visiting Professor of Canadian Studies, Business and Public Management, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
M. Wallace McCutcheon Professor Emeritus of Business Government Relations, Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto
Member of the International Council of INSEAD
Council of Advisors, Canadian Institute of Advanced Research
Senior Fellow, Massey College
Chairman of the Board, University of Toronto Schools

Arts and Culture
Director and Treasurer, National Ballet of Canada
Chairman of the Board and President of the Art Gallery of Ontario
Trustee Emeritus, Art Gallery of Ontario Board of Trustees
Chair of the Canadian War Museum
Chair Canadian Museum of History
Founding President of the Power Plant, Contemporary Art at Harbourfront
Founder of the Toronto Harbourfront Centre’s Toronto Music Garden
Chairman of the Harbourfront Foundation
Chairman and Chair Emeritus of Council for Business and Arts (currently Business / Arts)
Chairman and CEO of Noah’s Flood Inc. (produced Benjamin Britten’s “Noyes Fludde” as Canada’s cultural contribution to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter)
Director of North York Symphony
Director of Toronto Free Theatre
Director of the Banff Centre
Chairman, Treasurer, and Director of Tennis Canada
Canada’s Representative to the International Tennis Federation

Non-Governmental Organizations
International President, Young Presidents Organization (YPO)
Founding Director of the Public Policy Forum
Director of the Institute for Research on Public Policy
Director Naples Council on World Affairs

Publications
Business Can Succeed!, Understanding the Political Environment (with A. Litvak Canada Publishing Corporation)
Canada Can Compete!, Strategic Management of the Canadian Industrial Portfolio (with J.R. D’Cruz, Institute for Research on Public Policy)
Yankee Canadians in the Global Economy: Strategic Management of U.S. Subsidiaries under Free Trade (with J.R. D’Cruz, National Centre for Management Research and Development, University of Western Ontario)
Co-author (with Professor D’Cruz) of several articles for the Business Quarterly, one of which, ”The Globalization of Manufacturing”, was the Touche Ross Award Winning Article 1987, and won the Silver medal in the Deloitte and Touche “Best of the Best” awards covering the first thirty years of the Business Quarterly

Recognitions
Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal
Officer of the Order of Canada
Doctor of Law honoris causa, University of Toronto
Inducted into Canada’s Tennis Hall of Fame as a Builder
Queen’s 50th Anniversary Medal
Edmund C. Bovey Award for Leadership Support of the Arts
Angel Award for Philanthropy in the Arts, International Society of Performing Arts
Ramon John Hnatyshyn (RJH) Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts
Doctor of Sacred Letters honoris causa, University of Trinity College
Received the Public Policy Forum Testimonial Dinner Award for “Distinguished Service to Canada”
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Distinction in Public Service
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
Companion of the Order of Canada

Dr. James Douglas Fleck, C.C., DBA, LLD (hon), DSL (hon)

Strategic Advisor

James D. Fleck is a highly respected entrepreneur, business leader, public servant, scholar, and philanthropist whose support and stewardship has changed the face of Canada’s arts and culture scene. He is currently recognized as a preeminent philanthropist and supporter of Canadian nonprofit organizations and cultural institutions.

Jim’s professional experience spans diverse sectors and industries, providing him with a strong background in business management, board governance, and executive leadership. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and he earned a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Harvard Business School as a Ford Foundation Fellow. After completing his education, Jim began his career by founding and serving as CEO and Chairman at Fleck Manufacturing Inc., which began as a small organization with fewer than 10 employees and grew, under Jim’s direction, into a large multi-million dollar corporation. Building on his early success, Jim went on to hold the title of Director or Chairman for a number of companies in telecommunications, computer software, semiconductors, technology, and insurance including ATI Technologies, Alias Research, Noma Industries Ltd., Rogers Multimedia Inc., and Zurich Life Insurance Company of Canada.

As a public servant, Jim served as Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Premier and Secretary of the Cabinet (Ontario), and he was appointed Deputy Minister of Industry and Tourism. He was also responsible as Executive Director of the Committee on Government Productivity for the reorganization of the Ontario Government. Much of Jim’s efforts in these capacities was geared towards streamlining operations, providing strategic direction, and improving collaboration and cooperation between business and government. At the same time, Jim has applied his policy expertise to strengthen Canada’s independent think tanks and nongovernmental organizations such as the Public Policy Forum and the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Jim’s cross-sector experience demonstrates his ability to build relationships and bridge gulfs that can divide or pit public and private sectors against one another.

Jim’s distinguished experiences as a business leader and public servant combined with his academic achievements meant that he was uniquely suited for a long and fruitful career in academia serving as Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Visiting Professor at the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) and Keio University, Professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and York University where he was the founding Associate Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Studies (now the Schulich School of Business) and Director of the MBA and MPA programmes.

Owing to his deep respect for the arts as an indicator of a country’s quality of life and innovation, Jim has held many executive roles at leading Canadian nonprofit organizations over the years. In 1998, he chaired the first-ever Canadian Arts Summit, an annual event that continues to bring together Canada’s leading nonprofit executives, board members, and directors. He served as Chairman of Business for the Arts (currently Business / Arts) and was also Chairman of the Minister’s Advisory Council for Arts and Culture (Ontario). Other notable roles include President of the Art Gallery of Ontario Board of Trustees, founding President of the Power Plant at Harbourfront, and Chair to the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of History (a Crown Corporation).

In addition to his executive leadership and management of nonprofit organizations and foundations, Jim has been widely recognized for cultivating Canada’s arts and culture sector as a philanthropist, collector, advocate, and fundraiser. He has generously provided resources and lent his expertise in support of the Arts Gallery of Ontario, the National Ballet of Canada, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront, Tennis Canada, Soulpepper Theatre Company, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and Tafelmusik, among many others. His contributions to Canadian cultural life and arts organizations and institutions has resulted in a number of awards and honours, including being appointed as Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997, and recently promoted in 2015 to Companion of the Order of Canada.

Georgina Steinsky

Strategic Advisor and Executive Associate

Photograph by: Aleksandar Antonijevic

Formal Education

University of Toronto, Master of Arts, History

Professional, Consulting and Volunteer Experience by Sector

Private Sector
Bata Shoe Organization, Senior Human Resource Officer, Toronto
Bata Shoe Organization, Chief Country Negotiator and Country Director General Operations , Czech Republic
Manulife Financial, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Public Affairs, Toronto
Bell Canada , Chief Human Resource Officer, Montreal
CGI, Consultant, Toronto
IBM Canada Advisory Board, Board Member, Toronto
Cogeco Cable Inc, Member Board of Directors, Montreal
Glebe Parents’ Day Care Centre, Volunteer Founder, Ottawa
Public Sector
Government of Canada, Parks Canada, Historian, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Office of Native Claims, Director, Specific Claims Section, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Director General, Natural Gas Branch, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Office of Federal Provincial Relations, Privy Council Office, Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Affairs, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Regional and Industrial Expansion, Associate Deputy Minister, Ottawa
Government of Canada, Department of Supply and Services, Deputy Minister, Ottawa
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Consultant , Ottawa
Government of Ontario, Management Board, Consultant, Toronto
External Advisory Group on Human Resource Modernization in the Canadian Public Service , Advisory Group Member, Ottawa
Federal Expert Panel on the Role of Gender Analysis in the Making of Federal Policy, Chair of 3-member Expert Panel, Ottawa
Community Based Membership and Advocacy
Canadian Centre for Philanthropy/Imagine Canada, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto
The Glebe Report, Volunteer co-founder and writer, Ottawa
Women’s Vote , Volunteer , Ottawa
Montreal Chamber of Commerce, Member Board of Directors, Montreal
Public Policy Forum, Member Board of Directors, Ottawa, 2009 Winner of the Canadian Public Policy Forum Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Policy and Management
Masaryk Memorial Institute, Consultant, Toronto
Foundation for the Advancement of Civil Society, Consultant, Czech Republic
Healthcare
Baycrest Centre for the Aged, Member Board of Directors, Toronto
Plexxus, Member Board of Directors and one 3-year term as Chair, Toronto
Westpark Hospital Foundation, Member, Board of Directors , Toronto
Education
Ryerson University, Member Board of Governors, Toronto
Masaryk University, Special Guest Lecturer in Two English Language Summer Programs, Czech Republic
Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM), Chair, Board of Directors, Toronto
Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, The Munk School, University of Toronto, Executive in Residence, Toronto
Arts and Culture
Arts for Children Foundation, Member, Board of Directors, Toronto
Bata Shoe Museum, Member Board of Directors, Toronto

Georgina Steinsky

Strategic Advisor and Executive Associate

Georgina Steinsky has had a multi-faceted career within Canada and internationally as a senior executive. Her experience ranges from being a senior official and Deputy Minister in the Government of Canada, to executive positions in several major Canadian corporations, including Chief Human Resources Officer of Bell Canada. From 1990 – 95 she was an employee of the Bata Shoe Organization, where she led the project to recreate a Bata company presence in post-Communist Czech Republic. In these various capacities she has undertaken foundational work either in creating new organizations or undertaken major organizational restructuring and governance reform.

Georgina gained invaluable insights into the structure and nature of the charitable and nonprofit sector in Canada when she became Chief Executive Officer in 2004 of the-then Canadian Centre for Philanthropy which had just merged with another national nonprofit organization. From 2004 to 2008 Georgina’s task was to put in place a new strategy, and organizational and governance structure for what is now Imagine Canada – a national charity which today works alongside other charitable sector organizations – and often in partnership with the private sector, governments and individuals in the community – to ensure that charities continue to play a pivotal role in building, enriching and defining our Canadian nation. Imagine Canada’s work also included knowledge dissemination about best practices in the nonprofit and charitable sector, including matters related to governance.

Additionally, in parallel with other facets of her career, she has also had extensive experience as a senior volunteer in a number of charitable organizations. Since 2004 she served both as Chair and on the Board of two organizations whose creation was encouraged, and supported by the Government of Ontario: Plexus and OECM. Both are nonprofit corporations created to foster supply chain efficiencies in the Ontario Health and Education sectors respectively. During her tenure, both went from start-ups to fully functioning organizations with governance based on best practices. She is also currently a Director of the Bata Shoe Museum and of the Westpark Hospital Foundation.

Interview with Geogina Steinsky on Czech Radio

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo, C.M. (Cree)

Strategic Advisor

Professional and Artistic Achievements

Film, Television and Radio Projects
Sweet Blood – Director, Producer 2008
Your Heart Is In Your Hands – Director, Producer 2007
Medicine Woman – Director, 13 Episodes, Vision Quest Productions, Australia, 4 Squares, Regina, 2005 -06
Extreme Beats – Director, 3 x 1hr, David Brady Productions, ON, 2005-06
Johnny Tootall (Feature Film), Writer/Director, Bright Light Entertainment, Vancouver B.C, 2005
Shadow in Deep Water – Documentary, Producer/Writer/Director, Spoken Song/Pivotal Production, 2004
In-Shadow (Short Drama), Director, Universal Studios/Canadian Film Center, 2003
Pikutiskwaau – Documentary, Producer/Writer/Director, Cree School Board, James Bay, 2002
Dancing River – Documentary, Producer/Writer/Director, Cree School Board, James Bay, 2001
Tracks in the Snow – Documentary, Producer/Writer/Director, Cree School Board, James Bay, 2001
Christmas in the Clouds, Betty, Feature – Christmas in the Clouds, Utah, 2001
Bearwalker (Feature Film), Writer/Director/Producer, Girls from the Backroads, Toronto, 2000
Bearwalker, Ruby (PP), Off Line Entertainment Group/NY, 2000
Winchcawk, Writer/Director, Better Futures, Chisasibi
Johnnie Greyeyes, Feature Film, Nepantla Films Inc. Toronto
Silent Tears (Short Drama), Producer/Writer/Director, Spoken Song Productions, 1997
Silent Tears, Sarah (PP), National Film Board of Canada, 1997
The REZ (TV Series), Ma Crow (PP), Rez Prod. Ltd./Norman Jewison
Song of Hiiawatha, (Feature Film), Old Woman, Leather Stocking Productions
Caring Together, Director, Native Position Assoc. in Canada/Brewers Association of Canada
Medicine River, Cindy, MOW- Medicine River Productions
Full Circle-Native Way, Host & Writer, TV Ontario/ Milton Vandervee
Daughters of the Country – “The Wake”, Judy (PP), National Film Board/ Norma Bailey
Spirit Bay Series, Doris (PP), Spirit Bay Prods/Paul Stephens
Where the Heart Is, Betty (PP), CBC/For The Record/Carol Moore-Ede
The Strange One, Kanina (Double), Film Crest Prod/Ray Harris
People’s Pattern, Self-Documentary, TV Ontario/Joan Reed Olson, Director
October Stranger, As-cast, Nova Prods/ Allan Collins, Director
Spirits Breaking Through, Self-Documentary, CBC/Spectrum/Donnalu Wigmore
Mistaben, Narrator (PP), CBC – Radio
Turbine Times, Jean Campbell (PP), CBC – Radio

Commercials
Drugs and Alcohol, Principal Actor/Writer, Public Service Announcement

Selected Theatre and Related Experience
Weengushk Film Institute, Founder & Artistic Director
De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group, Founder & Artistic Director
Your Dream Was Mine, Producer/Actor/Writer, Pookster Productions/Finding Our Voices
Path With No Moccassins, S. Cheechoo, International Tour/Met Theatre, Los Angeles, PAS-Cultural, 1991
Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr, Sophie, Belfry Theatre, Victoria B.C.
Tangled Sheets, Linda, FOCUS & West Bay of The Arts, W. Bay
Son of Ayash, Various, Native Earth Performing Arts, Toronto, ON
The Rez Sisters, Annie Cook, Alberta Theatre Project, Calgary, AB
The Rez Sisters, Marie-Adele, Centaur Theatre Co. Montreal, QC
Nanabush of the 80’s, Angel, Ontario Tour, San Francisco Film Festival
The Rez Sisters, Marie-Adele, Edinburgh Theatre Festival, Scotland
Jessica, Jessica, Northern Light Theatre, Edmonton, AB
Feather-Leaves, Feather-Leaves, Cambrian Foundation Centre, Sudbury, ON
The King and I, Royal Wife, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Sudbury, ON
Northern Delights, Various, DWT Theatre, Toronto, ON
O Canayen, Clown, Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, ON
Ayash, Various, Northern Delights Society, Sioux Lookout
October Stranger, Ida, Monaco, France
Cross Currents, Various, Mindemoya Drama, Mindemoya, ON
Respect the Voice of a Child, Various, In the Spirit of Sharing Arts Festival
Broken Snowshoe Moon, Director, De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group
Lost Warrior, Director, De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group
Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock, Director, The Globe Theatre, Regina, SK
Shadow People, Writer/Composer/Assist. Director, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group
Local Control of Education, Director/Producer/Editor, West Bay Board Education
Nothing Personal, Co-writer, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group
Nanabush of the 80’s, Co-writer, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group
Nelli’s Cabaret, Singer/Performer, Cambrian Foundation Centre
Bear Woman, Director, West Bay Children’s Centre
Listen to the Elders, Writer/Director, West Bay Children’s Centre

Awards and Special Recognition
National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Arts, 2008
Honourary Doctorate of Letters – Laurentian University
Best Film. Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor – JOHNNY TOOTALL, American Indian Film Festival, 2005
Best Director Nomination – JOHNNY TOOTALL, American Indian Film Festival, 2005
Best Director, Best Actress – In Shadow, International Cherokee Film Festival, 2003
Best Cinematography & Best Documentary – Pikutishkwaau, International Cherokee Film Festival, 2002
Best Director – Bearwalker, PEI Film Festival, Reel World Film Festival, 2000
Best Drama – Bearwalker, ImagineNaive Media Arts Festival, Toronto , 2000
Best International Director, Pikutishkwaau, (Mother Earth), Windsong Film Festival, Indiana, 2002
Best Drama – Bearwalker, ImagineNaive Media Arts Festival, Toronto, 2000
Best Film – Backroads, American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco), 1999
Best Film – Backroads, Santa Fe Film Festival, Indigenous Film Festival (Montreal), 1999
Best Independent Film Maker Award – Tucson Film Festival, Arizona
Voted 3rd Most Popular Film – Backroads – Vancouver International Film Festival, 1999
Official Selection, American Spectrum – Sundance Film Festival 2000 – Backroads, 1999
Best Drama Short – Silent Tears, Santa Fe, San Francisco, Edmonton, North Plains, Nebraska Film Festival, 1997
Special Jury Award – Silent Tears – Edmonton Film Festival, 1997
Special Recognition & Merit Award – Vermont Film Festival, Long Island Film Festival
Business Merit Award – Waubetek Business Corporation
Official Selection – Silent Tears, Sundance Film Festival, 1997
Eagle Spirit Award – San Francisco American Indian Film Festival
CTV Fellowship Award – Banff Film Festival
TELEFILM Canada/Television Northern Canada, Silent Tears, Aboriginal Production Award
Aboriginal Production Award, Silent Tears
Canada Council Award
Ontario Arts Council Award
Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement award – 2019
Special Jury Award of Distinction – Crystal Awards – 2021
August Schellenberg Award of Excellence – 2021

Professional Affiliations
Ontario Trillium Foundation, Member, Board of Directors, 2005 to Present
Canadian Centre of Diversity, Member, Board of Directors, 2008 to Present
MCTV, Member, Board of Directors
OMDC, Member, Board of Directors
M’Chigeeng First Nation, Member, Board of Education
M’Chigeeng First Nation, Member of the Chief and Council
Canadian Film Centre, Board of Directors

Training and Development
Telefilm Canada, Sparkplug Program
NSI – Aboriginal Cultural Trade Initiative
Canadian Film Centre, Director’s Lab, Toronto
Women in the Director’s Chair, Banff Media Arts Centre
Director’s Lab, Sundance Institute
Writer’s Lab, Sundance Institute
Director Observer (2 Episodes on the Rez)
Script Writing (Theatre and T.V.), JoAnne McIntyre
Film Directors Workshop, Dream Speaker’s Festival, Edmonton, Alberta
C.B.C Television Drama Writing Workshop, Toronto (with Ken Chubb, Rick Shiomi)
Darryl Hickman, Scene Studies, Debbie Reynold’s Studios, Los Angeles
Rowena Balos, The Human Instrument, Los Angeles
C.A.S.T – Rosemary Dunsmore, Scene Studies, Toronto
Maggie Bassett Studios, Scene Studies, Toronto
Television Drama Writing Workshop, Toronto, Spirit Bay Production
Richard Greenblatt, Shakespeare, Playwriting, Toronto
Stewart Aikins, Audition Skills, Toronto
Ross Clydesdale Commercials, Toronto
Writer in Residence- De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group, Manitoulin Island

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo, C.M. (Cree)

Strategic Advisor

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo is a highly respected leader, celebrated for her diverse contributions as an artist, filmmaker, educator, and advocate for Indigenous representation. Her journey reflects a steadfast commitment to enriching the arts and preserving Indigenous heritage.

Professional Journey

As the Founder and Artistic Director of the esteemed Weengushk Film Institute, Dr. Cheechoo has played a pivotal role in nurturing Indigenous filmmakers, fostering talent, and amplifying authentic voices. A recognized trailblazer, Dr. Cheechoo has achieved many notable milestones, including being the first person from a First Nation to write, produce, direct, and act in a feature-length Canadian film.

Her artistic journey began on stage. Before helming award-winning films, Dr. Cheechoo established herself as a playwright, actor, and director of notable plays. In 1984, she co-founded the Debajehmujig Theatre Group, the longest-running Indigenous theatre company in North America. This experience solidified her passion for storytelling and paved the way for her transition to film.

In 1998, she made her directorial debut with the short film Silent Tears. This poignant exploration of a childhood winter trip garnered critical acclaim and won the Telefilm Canada and Northern Canada Award for Best Canadian Aboriginal Language Program at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.

Beyond the screen, Dr. Cheechoo’s achievements extend to visual art. Her paintings grace exhibitions worldwide, and commissioned works include Christmas cards for UNICEF, Amnesty International, and The Ontario Native Women’s Association. Her art can be found in esteemed private and public collections around the globe.

Academic and Professional Accolades

Dr. Cheechoo’s artistic journey spanned prestigious programs like Sundance and the Canadian Film Centre, but her focus wasn’t solely institutional. She actively participated in Indigenous initiatives (Telefilm Canada, National Screen Institute (NSI) and honed her craft through labs (Director’s Labs, Writer’s Lab) and workshops (Women in the Director’s Chair). Her experience encompassed directing (on the Rez), screenwriting (McIntyre, Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) workshop), and scene study (Hickman, Balos, Dunsmore, Bassett). Her exploration extended beyond film (Shakespeare with Greenblatt, audition skills with Aikins, commercials with Clydesdale) and into theatre (Writer in Residence, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig).

Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Order of Canada in 2018. She also served as Chancellor of Brock University from 2015 to 2020, the first woman and first Indigenous person to hold this position. During her tenure, she inspired students and faculty, served as an advocate for inclusivity, and left a lasting impact on the culture of the university.

Philanthropic Endeavors

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Dr. Cheechoo is deeply committed to fostering cultural enrichment and community engagement. Kasheese Studios, the art gallery she co-owns, showcases Indigenous art, while Spoken Song, her film production company, champions Indigenous voices on screen. This dedication extends beyond the arts – Dr. Cheechoo has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Ontario Trillium Foundation (2005-present) and the Canadian Centre for Diversity (2008-present). Her leadership has made an impact at MCTV and the Canadian Film Centre, further solidifying her commitment to advancing artistic expression across the country.

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo’s legacy serves as a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring resilience of Indigenous heritage. Her tireless dedication to storytelling and cultural preservation continues to shape Canada’s cultural landscape and inspire generations to come.

Jeffrey Comfort

Strategic Advisor and Executive Associate

Jeffrey Comfort

Strategic Advisor and Executive Associate

Jeff Comfort is a seasoned professional with 38 years of gift planning experience. Currently serving as vice president of principal gifts and gift planning at the Oregon State University Foundation (OSUF), Jeff provides strategic leadership to the gift planning program that assists donors in making deferred, assets-based or complex gifts to the university. Year in and year out, gift planning provides over 25% of total fundraising at OSUF.

Jeff spent 18 years at Georgetown University, where he oversaw university-wide gift planning efforts resulting in approximately $500 million of gift commitments and receipts in his tenure. Before arriving at Georgetown in 1995, he spent 11 years in Denver directing the gift planning program for the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medical (now National Jewish Health).

As a volunteer leader of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the National Committee on Planned Giving), Jeff served as president, chaired the 10th National Conference on Planned Giving and was a member of the NCPG board of directors for five years. Additionally, he was a member of the ethics committee and chaired the task force on gift valuation. Jeff chaired the CASE National Conference on Planned Giving for 10 years from 2008 to 2018.

Area of Expertise:

Planned and Legacy Gifts.

Experience:

Education, Healthcare

Fundraising Must Have:

Prospects

Jessica Lunken

Your Philanthropic Footprint

Our Firm

S. Sutton & Associates Inc.

Consultants in Philanthropic Management

Principal & Founder

Strategic Advisors